Bare Essentials for Successful Leaders

Action Planner– Planning is an essential attribute of leadership. Proper planning and seamless execution is what the followers expect. Detailed, practical & definite plans is what makes tasks easier and achievable. A successful leader chalks out reasonable & and achievable plans, but a plan without action is like a Rocket without fuel- it may look good but is of no use. A Good Leader plans and executes the plan first before inducing his followers to do the same.

Apolitical– A leader is looked upon by his followers as a problem solver. The leader has to unbiased and should keep away from politics amongst followers. Being just and fair is the key to win the respect of the followers. Without a sense of fairness and justice, a leader cannot command and retain the respect of his followers.






 Analysis– In a given situation, a leader needs to be a good analyzer of details. Active decision making involves a lot of responsibility as well as courage. Analysis reduces the risk of accidents. Successful leadership calls for knowing every detail that affects leader’s position.


 

Charisma -A Charismatic Personality is an extremely good Value add for a Leader. No one would like to follow a sloppy leader who cannot entice his own people. A charismatic personality earns more followers than any other leader.




 Character– Followers duplicate their leaders and learn more from action than what is spoken. A true leader has a clean character and maintains a clean image. A successful leader needs to keep himself away from all incidences and occurrences that could tarnish his image that may raise a question about his character. A clean character gives more room for the followers to trust the Leader.

Courage– Courage is an in built quality of a Good Leader. Courage to take decisions, courage to be unbiased & courage to hold on in adverse conditions define the metal of a good leader. It’s his strength and display of courage that makes followers feel strong.


Clear Communication– Correct communication is of utmost importance for a leader. He has to master the art of communication. It’s essentially important that followers understand exactly what their leader intends to communicate and what he has communicated with them.

Decisiveness– Decision making is an ability that involves courage, knowledge and self- confidence. It’s an outcome of instinct, knowledge, experience and self-belief. No follower would be interested to follow a leader who doesn’t have the ability to take prompt decisions.

Empathy– One of the crucial characteristics of leadership is Empathy. Being a leader you need to have an eagle eye view of everything at the same time you need to fit yourself in your follower’s shoes to know how, what, why, when… you need to feel the feel they feel. You need to empathize with your followers rather than sympathizing with them.

Motivator– Motivation is an important aspect of leadership. The Leader should have the integral ability to motivate his people who may be low or disturbed. He has to have the strength to touch the inner being of his followers that can change their opinion, priority or thought process that may be barring from achieving success.

Outspoken– A leader has to be outspoken at the same time be sensitive enough to not be harsh and arrogant. He should have the strength to speak the truth ensuring corrective actions and not destructive ones.




Running an Extra Mile– Every athlete puts in all the efforts he can to win the race. But it’s the winner who put just a little bit more to pull up his victory. The willingness to go on and on tirelessly makes up a Strong Leader. He should run the extra mile, go out of his way for his people. Put the extra effort that commoners don’t put to win over the situation and his followers.

 Responsible–As they say, “With Great Power comes Great Responsibility.” The successful leader must be willing to assume responsibility for the mistakes and the shortcomings of his followers. It’s the leader who gives the credit to his followers and keeps the debits with himself. He has to own up to his responsibility. A true leader takes the blame and gives the followers a good name.

Team-Player– A Leader is of no consequence without a Team and a Team cannot go too far without a leader. A true leader is a part of a team and dents sit out and order. He fits in like a team mate and does his part to perfection. The successful leader must understand, and apply the principles of team work and shall also induce his followers to do the same.

Will Power & Self Belief– A strong willed person has an inbuilt core to go against all odds and do what he believes is right. It’s quintessential that a Leader trusts his own instinct and believes in himself. This attribute builds high self-confidence and high self-esteem that displays strength which in turn gives energy & confidence to followers.

Inspiring Story of Hollywood Super Star- Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone is one of the most famous American Movie stars.. With characters like Rocky and Rambo he is a household name in the hearts of millions.

During birth, a wrong gynecological procedure caused Stallone to have one sided paralysis. At school, his middle class being and his facial paralysis became a thing for others to make fun of.

He started body-building because he wanted to frighten those who bullied him. Slowly he started thinking of a career in movies.

Around 1974, he had a pregnant wife, a dog that he loved a lot, a lot of bills to pay and no success in his movie career. What he still had was a belief in his dream that he will make it big.

Soon a time came when he went broke. He was heavily under debt.

Restless, anxious, stressed and still loaded with hope that he WILL make it big.

 Things got so bad that he had to sell his wife’s jewelry and ended up homeless. Sleeping at the New Jersey Bus station for 3 days.

The cold American winter forced him to choose between electricity and his dog. He sold his dog, his best friend for $25.

Two weeks later, on TV he watched a boxing match between Mohammed Ali and Chuck Wepner. That match was like a flash of divine inspiration… For the next 20 hours he sat and wrote the script of what today is a cult movie, ROCKY.

In the words of Stallone himself, “After nearly 1500 rejections”,  he got a production house to offer $125,000 for the script.

Despite the poverty, pains, pregnant wife and lost dog… His dream was to STAR in the movie  as the MAIN LEAD.

In an era when heroes were super handsome men and spoke fluently, a body builder with a facial paralysis that made him stammer while speaking, made Stallone the wrong choice for any role.

The studio bluntly rejected his offer… And Stallone went back home with another failure.

A few weeks later, the studio offered him  $250,000 for the just the script, and not him.

-He refused.

Soon they offered  $350,000 for the script but not him.

At that time everyone was pushing him to accept.. It would be MAD not to do so.. He was making a fortune.

-He still refused.

 Someone in the studio really loved his script, and as fortune favors the brave.. They finally accepted to give $35,000 for the script and have him as the lead star.

The rest as they say is history!

The movie was made for $1 million and went to make around $200 million. It won the Oscar for Best Picture, Best Direction and Best Film Editing. Stallone was a

“bankable” hero for the next 20yrs, till the late 90s… with his movies making billions of dollars.

And what did he do with the first $35,000?

He stood outside the liquor store, where he sold his dog, for 3 days. Identified the man who had bought it, and finally got him back for $15,000.

 AND IN THE WORDS OF ROCKY BALBOA -

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!”

Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you. You're better than that! I'm always gonna love you, no matter what. No matter what happens. You're my son and you're my blood. You're the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself, you ain't gonna have a life.

― Sylvester Stallone, Rocky Balboa

The Inspirational journey of Refugee Swimmer Yusra Mardini

On Saturday, Yusra Mardini swam to victory during her first heat for the women's 100-meter butterfly swimming competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. It was a historic first win for the Refugee Olympic Team, the first-ever team of its kind to compete in an Olympic Games. But the victory also marks a sharp contrast from Mardini's life just one year earlier, when the stakes for swimming long distances looked less like gold, silver and bronze and more like life and death.

In 2015, Mardini fled Syria in the midst of a civil war that was being waged in the streets and suburbs of Damascus, where she had grown up. 

 

 

From the time that she was 3 years old, her father, a swimming instructor, trained her personally in a pool near their home in Syria. Then the war began in 2011, when Mardini was 13. 

 

 

In the beginning of the war, she told the New York Times, everyone was worried, but as the years passed and the violence intensified, friends and neighbors became resolved to the idea that they might not survive the rebellion, and tried to carry on normal lives.

 

 

"...after a few years, we were like: 'O.K., if I'm going to die, I'm going to die! But let me live my life. I want to see my friends!'" Mardini told the Times.

 

 

After the roof of the swimming center where she had once trained was destroyed by a bomb, she begged her parents to let her try to escape the country. Eventually they relented, and she and her sister set off for Europe with two family members and a friend. At every step of the way, terror and heartbreak plagued them.

 

 

When the engine cut out on the small boat they were using to cross the Mediterranean Sea, Mardini and her sister lept into the water to try to push it to shore. Two young men attempted to help them but grew tired quickly, so the Mardini sisters swam for three-and-a-half hours on their own and eventually the boat reached the shore.

 

 

"I'm thinking, what? I'm a swimmer, and I'm going to die in the water in the end?" she said.

 

 

Eventually, the girls made it to their final destination, Germany, where they have been granted temporary asylum. Their parents and two younger sisters have since joined them, and Mardini is competing on the elite squad of refugees in the 2016 Olympics.

 

 

She told the Times that she is "...expecting personal best," at Rio, since two years without training have left her well behind the official Olympic qualifying times for the 100-meter freestyle and 100-meter butterfly.

 

 

But her real victory at the Rio Olympics, she says, will be having the chance to share her story in Syria, where she hopes to return someday to help out other refugees like herself.

 

6 Ways to Build Momentum

Have you ever taken on a task that seems so complicated you don’t even know where to begin? Once you do jump into it, you often find yourself in the swing where you’ve built up so much productive momentum that you feel unstoppable. The creative juices are flowing and you’re accomplishing tasks left and right. This is a great feeling, but getting there can sometimes prove to be extremely difficult. Here are some suggestions to help you get to that point with built-up momentum and maximum productive potential.

 

 

 

1. Prioritize your Work.

You may have several things to do, but tackling the most challenging task first can help you accomplish what you need to when you are freshest, starting your day. So make a list of what needs to be done, and then prioritize the list so that the most important tasks are the ones you do first. This can help you avoid distractions and help you get things done.

2. Remember- You are the Boss.

You are your own boss. Although that fact does come with its fair share of stress and responsibility, it also comes with the freedom to schedule your workday to accomplish your most important tasks and execute them to the optimum level. Maximize the benefits of being in control by delegating tasks to team members when possible. Ask for help when you need it, and take breaks when you are feeling too overwhelmed. Sometimes, just the thought of being in the driver’s seat of your business is enough to get you through a difficult project.

       Short Story:

John, a professional Photographer was told that a Twin-Engine Plane would be Waiting at the Airport.

Arriving at the Airport he spotted a Plane warming up outside the hanger.

He jumped in, said ‘Lets go’.

The Pilot taxied and took off.

Once in the air John told the Pilot: ‘Fly Low over the Valley so I can take Pictures of the Fire on the hill’

Pilot : Why.?

John : Bcoz I’m the Photographer for CNN. I need to get some close up shots.

Pilot was strangely silent for a moment, then he stammered ‘So, what You’re telling me is . . . You’re Not My Flying Instructor’?.

Life is Short...

Always ASK, NEVER ASSUME.!

3. Block all negative thoughts and stay positive.

You’ve no doubt heard about the power of positive self-talk. Not surprisingly, negative self-talk is just as powerful, so it’s important that you tune it out. Anytime you catch yourself having a negative thought, remember that it is only hindering your productivity, not helping it. Replace it with a positive thought or motivational message. Positivity goes a long way in building the momentum you need to accomplish your goals.

4. Be focused and avoid distractions.

What types of things distract you from working on the task at hand? Is it your phone, your peers, market rejections or failures in past performances that distract you? Maybe you should put all these on sleep mode. Reward yourself with some “fun” time on your social networks when you’re done with your project. Socialize with friends other than work. Distractions come in all shapes and sizes, so identify what distracts you and put yourself in a situation where they don’t get in your way. Remain focused on your desired goals to maintain your momentum.

5. Stay away from negative people.

Some people display negative behavior always : constantly complaining, persistently blaming others, and always having a reason they don’t succeed. These people should not be in your immediate circle, and they certainly shouldn’t work for you, as they may bring down not only you but your team as well. Surround yourself with people who will be your cheerleaders, motivators and who are as ambitious and result oriented as you are. You will be much better equipped to build your momentum with positive people around you.

6. Keep Records- Maintain a Tally.

The busier our lives become, the harder it gets to remember what we actually accomplished by the end of the day or week. Keep some sort of tally or list to remind you what you completed and motivate you to continue. Such a record will also serve show you how much you are really accomplishing on a regular basis.

Building momentum is crucial to continuous goal accomplishment in your business...!

 

Inspiration...

Until one is committed
There is hesitancy, the chance to draw back,
Always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation),
There is one elementary truth,
The ignorance of which kills countless ideas
And splendid plans: That the moment one definitely commits oneself,
Then Providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one
That would never otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision
Raising in one's favor all manner
Of unforeseen incidents and meetings
And material assistance,
Which no man could have dreamt
Would have come his way.
I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets:
"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."
-- W.H. Murray, from The Scottish Himalayan Expedition

Struggle a Little - Then Fly!

A man found a cocoon of a butterfly, that he brought home.

One day a small opening appeared he sat and watched the butterfly for several hours. It struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no farther.

So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily, but, it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. He continued to watch the butterfly, he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and the body would contract. Neither happened!

In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It was never able to fly.

The man acted with well-intentioned kindness but he didn't understand the consequences. The restricting cocoon and the struggle required to get through the tiny opening, were nature's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If we were to go through life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as we could have been and we could never fly.

So the next time you are faced with an obstacle,
a challenge, or a problem, remember the butterfly.
Struggle a little - then fly!

Motivational Story- 2 Frogs

Two FROGS:

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them
fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw how deep the pit
was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The
two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit
with all their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop,
that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took
heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down
and died.

The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again,
the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He
jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the
other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?" The frog explained to
them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the
entire time.

This story teaches two lessons:

1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging
word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it
through the day.

2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes
to kill them.

Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your
path. The power of words... it is sometimes hard to understand
that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak
words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in
difficult times. Special is the individual who will take the time
to encourage another.