Category: Leadership

Be remarkable. PERIOD!

On By Joe DeRosaIn Business, LeadershipLeave a comment

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If you want to stand out you’ve got to be different. Right? Well that depends. Sometimes being different is good. But sometimes, being different can generate bad results. It depends on what you’re trying to accomplish.

We learn at an early age to conform. Be like others, dress like others, act like others. Doing these things allows us to “fit in” to society. It makes us feel safe. But at the same time it makes us invisible. We desperately want to be one the pack, one of the herd so to speak.

In business we’re taught early in our career to play it safe. Keep our ideas to ourselves, agree with our boss no matter what, and never challenge your peer group. Doing those things will provide safety and job security. It also produces mediocre results. So what do you want to be known for? Results that produce “me-too” outcomes or work that’s viewed as thought provoking and innovative? If you want the latter you’ve got to be remarkable – there’s no other way.

In Seth Godin’s book, Purple Cow, he talks about the power of being remarkable. Being a me-too leads to being invisible…not seen…not considered. Being remarkable means the complete opposite. You’re seen, you’re heard, you’re felt…you’re present. All the things most folks want in life. These are the things that fulfill most human beings. Yet to be remarkable carries risk. It requires us to be more than different, to stand out, to be talked about.

If you still fear standing out consider these examples of me-too solutions…and how they are viewed:
1. Microsoft’s launch of Zune – an average MP3 player
2. Dell, HP, Compaq, Gateway…all me-too solutions to desktops and technology
3. McDonalds, Burger King and Wendy’s – typical, predictable burger places
4. Kroger’s, Winn Dixie, Tops Supermarkets…sterile environments to shop in

Now look at some examples of remarkable:
1. Apple with it’s iPods, iPads, iPhones…with $156 billion in cash in the bank
2. Five Guys Burgers, In-N-Out Burgers, and Smashburger…all 3 growing at stratospheric rates
3. Wegman’s and Publix supermarkets. They made grocery shopping an experience

Okay, so those are some example of remarkable companies. But what about people. Can people be remarkable? NO DOUBT! To show a list of “unremarkable” people would be impossible and more importantly offensive. But look at this list of remarkable people and think about what sets them apart:
1. Walt Disney
2. Steve Jobs
3. Gandhi
4. Peyton Manning
5. Fred Smith

What do all these people have in common that make them remarkable? Vision, courage, discipline, focus, and above all an unshakeable conviction in their beliefs. That’s it. So start there. Look inside. What’s your opinion, what’s your point of view? Form it, shape it, define it….then live it and soon you’ll see how remarkable you really are.

Let me know what you think.  Like if this helped.  Thanks!

Success’ Secret Recipe

On By Joe DeRosaIn LeadershipLeave a comment

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How is it that some people never really advance in life? On the job, or off the job improvements seem to allude them. No promotions. No weight lost. Audition after audition that never amount to getting a place in the band or a spot on the team. They keep trying, but continue to come up empty handed. But why? Growing up we were taught to stay focused, work hard, and to never give up. We’re doing all those things now, but still…

The secret sauce to success differs slightly for each person. However, after years of working with some incredibly talented and successful people, and observing traits that are common amongst them all, I’ve found the one ingredient that stands out and changes the game. This ingredient cannot stand on its own to ensure success. It can’t take the place of hard work, discipline, focus, and the other necessary traits that most successful people seem to possess. However I have seen many talented people who seem to have all the right characteristics but simply “never make it”. So again, I ask why? I would propose it is because they’re missing the most powerful ingredient to their own secret sauce for success…self-awareness.

Successful people are self-aware. They have an intimate knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses, or as I call them “blind spots”.

Blind spots are those areas that we can’t see. They are the weaknesses, or the things we may think are okay but are far from it. Blind spots can be hidden from sight or can be smack-dab in front of your face. Being self-aware helps eliminate blind spots that can limit success.  But is it possible to eliminate your blind spots?  The answer is absolutely yes!  The first step is to identify your blind spots and then immediately move to address them.  If you don’t eliminate your blind spots after you’ve identified them you’re simply in denial…and for most people success is not possible when in a state of denial.

3 things successful people do, and you should do, to eliminate blind spots:
1. Read. Read as much as you can. Read broadly. Books on leadership, business, biographies of great leaders, and history provide great insights and perspective on traits and characteristics necessary to achieve success.  I have found some of my best “ah-ha” moments reading American History, specifically in the area of Presidential biographies or autobiographies.
2. Ask. Create a list of 5 people you can count on to give you the honest-to-goodness truth. These may not be the people you think of immediately. Your closest friends may actually not be the best source of feedback. You may need to turn to someone you have a good relationship with as a close associate but not a close friend. Associates in your network often times provide the best, most honest advice.
3. Listen. Many people struggle to be good listeners. The act of listening is an intentional one. Hearing takes no intention. As I write this blog I have Dave Matthews playing in the back ground. I hear it, but I couldn’t tell you the lyrics, and most of the time when I’m deep in work I might not know the song that’s playing. Listening requires a person to open their mind and concentrate on what’s being said and the words being spoken. Only through effective listening is it possible to understand the feedback being given. Point being, when you are receiving feedback make sure there is no other noise or distractions…don’t just hear it…listen.

Being self-aware is the one ingredient that can help you achieve game-changing success.  Expand your knowledge, ask for input, and most of all open your mind and listen.  If you can do these 3 things you’re on your way to being able to accomplish your greatest dreams and goals.

As always, I’m interested in your comments and feedback so keep them coming!

3 Characteristics of Great Leadership

On By Joe DeRosaIn LeadershipLeave a comment

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John Quincy Adams said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”  That one statement sure packs a punch.

Effective leaders all possess similar strengths.  Discipline, focus, enthusiasm, commitment, and limitless energy are all characteristics displayed with strong leadership.  Leaders are hard chargers who operate with a clear sense of direction and are generally successful in getting people to follow.  After all you can’t be a leader without followers.

And then there are great leaders.  Those individuals who not only are able to get people to follow, but who inspire them to go beyond what they ever dreamed possible.    The great leaders understand the human condition.  They thrive on people engagement and behavioral observations.   They realize that all people are unique and therefore respond differently even when faced with the exact same circumstances.  It is the great leaders’ ability to shape their message in a way that reaches and resonates across a large group of people.  But it’s more than their message.  A great leader is able to not just create a compelling message (vision) but make it believable by the actions and characteristics they demonstrate daily.

Great leaders play at a higher level than regular leaders.  They’re the All-Stars.  The one-of-a-kinds.  The most sought after individuals that people want to meet with, get to know, or work for.  What separates the good from the great are 3 capabilities the leader must demonstrate daily:

  1. Clarity of vision.  Great leaders know where they are headed and how to get there.  It’s crystal clear to them on the inside which makes it easier to communicate outside.  They have a superior sense of direction and know where their own True North setting is which can be felt by those following.  This clarity of vision demonstrates their confidence and conviction in the actions they take and ask others to take.
  2. Teaching.  Great leaders are teachers.  They get energy from meeting with people and sharing their knowledge, perspective and beliefs.  They realize that to be great teachers they must commit themselves to being a life-long learner.  Constantly reading, asking questions, listening, and engaging in the exchange of ideas allows great leaders to capture the hearts and minds of their followers.
  3. Motivation.  Great leaders provide reasons to act.  Through their vision and teaching, they inspire people to take action and begin the journey.  Great leaders know how to motivate those around them by recognizing the differences in people and what drives individual behavior.  Even the great leader him/her-self requires motivation whether it’s spiritual, family, personal or professional they have their own reasons for taking action.

So who are you?  A leader, or a great leader?  Where do you fall relative to the 3 must-have capabilities of a great leader?  You’ve already taken steps to improve your Teaching skills by reading this blog…and I assume others.  Remember, if you can dream more, do more and become more, others will follow.