“To build your business, you must build yourself.

To help others, you must first help YOU;

and to change the world, you must change yourself!”

Building yourself first, and then building new True Leaders and empowering them can bring you that security, that happiness, and abundant prosperity that is your reward in successfully building and  supporting a growing and vibrant organization.  True Leadership is apparent whether it is a family unit, an academic institution, a division of the service, a governmental agency, a traditional business or a Network Marketing business.

These are easy to understand, simple and down-to-earth.   Are they easy to do?  No way, and know this, what is easy to do is also easy not to do. If building leaders were easy, they’d be everywhere, providing True Leadership.  Obviously, they’re not.  Building leaders takes hard work, practice, and a continuing effort to improve yourself.  Remember: True Leaders are built, not born.

1) True Leaders are both modest and confident.

Leaders certainly need a healthy ego, but a big ego that’s out of control can kill ‘em and make
them look absolutely foolish.  True leaders know that the goal is not to make themselves more           powerful; it is to empower others into stronger leadership roles. True Leaders understand that in           Network Marketing, the only way you can get to the top is to build new leaders and make them           successful.

 2) True Leaders are great listeners.

Many people still need to practice this skill. When you listen, you will learn exactly what your prospects and emerging leaders need and want if you ask sincere, probing questions - and you actively listen to answers without an agenda of your own. Excellent listening springs from genuine curiosity.  Beware of the belief that you already have all the answers.  It’ll pollute your listening and make you deaf to new, valuable knowledge! Always seek first to understand by asking questions and listening.

 3) True Leaders are authentic.

When you first know who you are, and when you ‘walk your talk’ - you earn the respect and trust of your colleagues.  No one believes and follows a leader who doesn’t first believe in herself.  When you walk the walk, you have paved the way and gotten massive results.  Others will pay attention.

4) True Leaders are great at giving encouragement, and they are never satisfied with status quo.

True Leaders are always setting new, higher goals - for themselves and for their organization.  They are   always building and testing both courage and stamina throughout their team.They are so busy giving recognition that they don’t need it themselves.

5) True Leaders have imagination and creativity.

True Leaders aren’t surprised by miracles - they expect them.  They are never surprised by what others call unexpected connections. They spot subtle or even obscure relationships that can be valuable.  They organize and lead conversations between people who might not normally interact with each other; they facilitate new relationships.  And they see new patterns and possibilities that allow for important innovations or realizations.

6) True Leaders provide direction, vision and empowerment.

They provide direction and vision from asking probing, insightful and revealing questions. This is different from feeling responsible for providing answers.  No leader is smart enough to know everything about how to handle every challenge that’s encountered as an organization grows and navigates its way through the market place and provides services and/or cutting-edge products to society.  But True Leaders sense when the right questions need to be asked to find solutions to those challenges.  Reminder:  Leaders aren’t always “in charge” or “in control” - but they are aware, alert, in touch and out in front.

7) True Leaders protect their team from danger, while doing their best to open their eyes to reality.

False leaders usually want to keep the peace and not take risks. They are often disloyal, don’t follow the True Leader, and want to be insulated from dangers - rather than be empowered enough to be mobilized to face the challenges head on.  That’s why True Leadership is rough and sometimes dangerous; and that’s why even the smallest land mines will trip up false leaders as they struggle towards achievement.  True Leaders are respectful of those who have helped them succeed.

8) True Leaders initiate positive change and they are strong enough to take a stand on  values and principles.

True Leaders are followers of True Leaders. It’s not a cult to be a follower of a True Leader if that True Leader has integrity to always be looking out for what is best for the entire organization.

“True Leaders ask,

 ‘Which values, principles are so central to our core that if we lose them, we lose ourselves?’ When that key question is asked early enough in the game, and course corrections are made, a lot of agony and frustrations are avoided - and success, achievement and prosperity are reached so much sooner!”
~Donna Green - a major leader in Art’s organization

9) True Leaders lead by example.

They actually “talk the talk, and walk the walk.”  Their small gestures send big messages.  True Leaders have an essential obligation to live their lives according to the principles they espouse. People are hungry for good strong leadership.  They’re watching what you do.  So if you want people to follow your lead, make sure you are communicating correctly and performing responsibly- so they can hear you clearly and see where you’re going!

10) True Leaders don’t play the blame game. They look at all events that happen as opportunities to personally grow.

Even the smartest leaders - whether as parents, teachers, mentors, or business executives - all make mistakes.  Bill Gates was once sure that the Internet would never have a big impact on Microsoft’s business. The progressive mind-set for the 2000’s is: Try, Fail, Learn, Adjust Correct/Re-aim and Try again.

 “When I fail, I only look at what I did right. I never take advice from anyone more messed up than I am.
I am a winner, a contributor, an achiever, I believe in me.”  ~ Tom Hopkins, renowned master sales trainer and author

Leading is learning.  The great teachers, the True Leaders, know that the best way for them to learn the material is to study it well enough to be able to teach it to others.  Their learned expertise then qualifies them to lead.  Leaders learn and are readers; and readers are leaders.

11) True Leaders seek out and network with other leaders.

They look for leaders to build fine, new, long-term relationships. They take initiative and seek out those more talented than they are to build relationships with.

To be more effective as a leader and to increase your influence and deepen your impact, you can’t play The Lone Ranger!  Seek allies, network with like-minded colleagues, be aware of emerging  leaders - and mentor them, build them into stronger leaders. Remember that they are Independent Contractors, not dependent contractors. Not everyone in your organization is going to become your close or best friend.  You will find out, as time goes by, those who are truly loyal and those whom you really don’t want to cultivate a fake friendship with.

 
True Leaders seek to develop actual relationships with those whom they admire the most. They   listen to hours of tapes, read hundreds of books, and go to work on their personal growth and development programs. 

Company events, leadership rallies, annual conventions and special leadership trainings you put on     yourself - are all valuable resources to meet and network with other leaders.  Make sure that you  attend the right events.  Just attending an event that does not improve your bottom line is not going  to make any difference.  From experience, I have found that listening to those who are actually living the lifestyle I want are the people I have chosen to be loyal to.

All of us need to get recharged now and then - and major and minor events can be a place to do that.  Books, seminars and tapes are brain food as well.  Feed your mind.

12) True Leaders know that their job is to build more leaders.

It’s likely that in your world - your family, your community, your institution, your company, or your
 own business - there are not yet enough leaders at all levels to keep your organization changing and charging into the future.  The team with the most and best leaders wins!  Your ultimate and most  rewarding job is not just to be a True Leader yourself - it’s to build more leaders. A True Leader is first a loyal follower. In Network Marketing, the real key is to build leaders and to make them successful. Always be working with 2-3 emerging leaders.

Paying attention to all of these keys will help you create a huge Win-Win situation for everyone you lead.

So what does your new person really need from you?  It’s for you to transfer your vision to them and to be the substance of their hope, their dream for new success by coming into partnership with you and your team. So empower them with the vitality of your beliefs, and act with conviction and enthusiasm.  Show them the systems and tools that work, and direct them to the resources they need to build their own belief systems.

Show them how coming into partnership with you and what you have to offer can benefit them by helping them get what they want - the things and the freedoms that have been missing from their  life.  If they are truly on a leadership track, they really feel that they deserve these things, and they’re passionate about getting them.  Empowerment, direction and substantiated vision are what they want and need from you!

Are you ready to take on the role of a True Leader - or become an even better leader?  ---> Get into Action and practice these principles daily!