Growing As A Leader
Leadership isn’t about a title. It’s not about the income. It’s not even about telling people what to do..
In the words of John Maxwell, “A leader is someone who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”
So, I want you to think for a minute.. Are you confident in where you’re going or where to take your team? Are you setting the example following through on where to go? And are you showing others the way? So, not only setting the example but teaching others how to have success with this business. It’s creating a culture of expectations for increased performance and continued growth.
You might be thinking… How can I do this? Where do I start?
In order to influence the output of your team = you need to strengthen the character of the leader.
The definition of character is… the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual. But it can also be…. a person in a novel, play, or movie.
Let’s step into the role of a character.. Or as Disney calls it.. A cast member..
At most companies, employees are referred to simply as employees. At other companies, like Walmart, they’re called associates. At Disney World, however, they’re called cast members. And that’s not just for the woman playing Cinderella, or the guy in the Goofy costume. All of the people working at Disney World are called cast members, even if they sell tickets, take pictures, or sweep the streets.
They do this because Disney isn’t really selling a product. It’s selling an experience. Every person working at the park can and does have an impact on the experience its guests have. It’s a powerful metaphor because it helps people working there to understand how to behave in just about any situation without having to be uniquely trained for each possibility.
Let’s see how that might play out. Imagine that you’re the person who serves ice cream in a soda shop at Disney World. Little Johnny comes in, and his parents buy him an ice cream cone. You give Johnny his ice cream and as he turns around to leave, he accidentally drops it, spilling his ice cream all over the floor. He bursts into tears. Quick, what do you do?
You get him another one, of course! Do you make Johnny wait in line again? No. Do you make Johnny’s parents pay for the second ice cream cone? No. Why not? Because that would ruin the experience. In fact, a bad experience is happening right now before your very eyes! And you, the ice cream dispenser, are the only person in the park who can fix it. Not Peter Pan. Not the Little Mermaid. Not even Mickey Mouse. You. You are the star of this show.
Did your boss have to tell you to get Johnny another ice cream cone? Did she have to tell you to not make Johnny wait in line, or to not charge his parents again? No. You knew what to do because you are a Disney cast member.
Now, imagine the same situation, but this time you’re an “employee” at a fast-food restaurant. Little Johnny comes in and buys an ice cream cone. He turns to leave and spills it on the floor. What do you do? You probably won’t do anything, since you’re back behind the counter where you’re supposed to be. You might think to yourself, “Gee, tough luck, kid,” as Johnny and his parents get back in line to buy another ice cream cone.
And who’s going to clean up that mess anyway? The guy in charge of cleaning up the floors, that’s who! That’s not your job. This problem is out of your hands. You’re just an employee, and your job is dispensing ice cream and collecting money. That’s it. Not cleaning floors, and certainly not managing little Johnny’s so-called experience.
When you are an inspirational leader… you are in constant growth mode. Not only are you looking for ways to grow in your personal life, pampered chef business but also how to create an environment where consultants and leaders have an experience that encourages growth. After all = we are the catalyst for growth in our organizations.
So, do you want to have fast food standards for your leaders and team? Or do you want to have Walt Disney standards?
I can imagine most of you are saying Walt Disney. He created an organization, brand and overall experience from people coming from all different backgrounds, all different ages and all walks of life.
Because of this style of leadership & culture he developed the Disney brand is worth around 200 billion dollars.
If you want exponential growth in earnings you must have exponential growth in your learnings.
But before you can lead others well.. You need to learn to lead yourself. You’ve all heard it before.. When on an airplane- the flight attendant always says put your oxygen mask on first before assisting others.
So where can you start?
Live Intentionally. Stop accepting your life for what it is and starting leading your life where you want it to go. If you’re waiting around to promote a new leader for the right person to come along.. Or waiting to really push for executive and beyond when the time is right.. You will always be waiting.
Exceed Expectations. Stop doing only what is expected and start doing more than expected.
Be consistent - stop doing important things someday, start doing important things every day.
John Maxwell shares in his book The Power of Five for Network Marketing
Consistency without priorities = not successful but dependable
Priorities without consistency = successful sometimes
Priorities with Consistency = successful continually
Consistency Establishes your reputation. Are you reliable in the eyes of your team, clients, leaders, or customers?
When you say you’re going to do something, but only do it once in a while = your team and those around you will lose trust. Which will then lead to a lack of action on their part.. Because why would they trust what you say is true or going to benefit them.. If you don’t follow through and show up consistently.
Cal Ripken is in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He set a record that will never be broken. He played 2,632 consecutive baseball games. For over 16 years he came to the ballpark and played. He received the longest ovation ever given to a ball player for his consistency. Which of those 2,632 games put him in the hall of fame? Which game caused the crowd to cheer for 17 minutes?
ALL OF THEM.
It’s the same thing with our business. Doing the same things with our host coaching, our bookings, recruiting, recognition, team meetings, and everything else consistently over time give us the results we want long term. It’s never just about 1 customer or 1 sale. It’s about developing systems to have consistency in all areas of the business.
So, what can you do to be continually growing as a leader?
The first thing is to make sure you have systems in place that are easy to automate, delegate and duplicate.
A few years ago I sat down and wrote out everything in my business that I wanted on auto pilot. Implement those systems to create a personal business that reaches your goals and sets the standard for what is possible on your team.
Next, you’re going to want to decide where you want to go next. Is it a new level? Is it a certain paycheck? Write out a crystal clear statement of where you want to be in 5 years. Then, create a schedule, environment and culture to that is conducive to growth.
Something you will want to continually do is set aside time for professional and personal development...
Are you consistently looking for ways to better yourself?
Recently I read an article about the CEO of Zoom and some things he looks for when hiring people. He mentioned in the article the first question he always asks people when interviewing is “What book are you currently reading or what is the last book you read?” He says if someone replies with a statement like… I just don’t have time to read or It’s not my thing. He immediately writes them off. He says regardless of someone’s skill set if they are working to better themselves, he knows he can train them and teach them how to be successful in whatever area he wants.
So, my question for you is this. When was the last time you read a book? Or the last time you watched a training? Or listened to a podcast? Have you considered the fact that your personal life and personal growth can also affect your business?
If you were to ask some of the most successful entrepreneurs that same question, I guarantee they could spout off a ton of ways to better yourself.
When I am struggling in a certain area of my business, I listen to a podcast, watch a you-tube video, re-watch a training that was impactful, or reach out to a peer who I know is having success in their business.
Whether I struggle or not, I try to listen to a podcast while walking first thing every morning or while I’m getting ready. Some of my favorites are the Jasmine Star Show, Goal Digger with Jenna Kutcher, Online Marketing Made Easy with Amy Porterfield, 6 Figure Influencer with Allie Reeves, Women Inspiring Women with Melanie Mitro, & Your Virtual Upline with Bob Hielig.
I believe that what you put in is what you get out. When I start my day off listening to something motivational, I tend to be more inspired and motivated to show up with excitement throughout that day.
As opposed to those days when I wake up late and I’m constantly struggling to catch up I feel frazzled and un-accomplished. I try to end my day reading either a few pages or a few chapters from a book. I may not always have the energy to read much of it, but I try to end my day on something positive.
I truly believe the two best practices for personal growth involve how you start your day or how you end it. Some of my favorite books are: The Wisdom of Oz by Roger Connors, The Wisdom of Walt by Jeffery Barnes, The Energy Bus by Jon Gordan, Take the Stairs by Rory Vaden, The Power of 5 by John Maxwell, pretty much anything else he has written.
So, I want you to think about what you do day in and day out to better yourself and how that will overtime directly impact the influence you have on your team.
A growth environment will create momentum.
Momentum is like the tide.
When the tide is up, all the boats rise.
When the tide is down, all the boats drop.
