 President's
Corner
Wow, can you believe it is June
already, time is sure flying by
this year. With the
unofficial start of summer you
should see a slight increase in
your volume for people that are
trying to get money to go on
summer vacation so be ready for
it. Now more than ever it
is important to be able to adapt
and be a leader for your company
and for the note business in
general. The note industry
is such a small niche of the
real estate industry that
sometimes our voices can get
lost in the shuffle. This
week I'd like to share with you
my thoughts on your leadership
role in the note industry.
The Power Of One - You come
pre-qualified to make a difference.
It's easy to be overwhelmed when we look at "the big picture." Global
warming, world peace, personal illnesses, new state and federal regulations, the
national real estate market and other issues can all make us feel powerless.
Based on the sheer magnitude of some obstacles, it is natural to feel threatened
or that your individual contribution does not count. But in reality,
it can count, because the sum can be greater than the individual parts!
That's where the "power of one" principle comes in.
If each of us becomes aware of our own power to help change issues, then we can
collectively make a big difference. By taking individual responsibility
and changing our behavior in small ways, we can shape major changes in our lives
and in our profession. Think about the great people who have made a
difference in your professional or your personal life. They inspire you,
set the pace for performance, and guide you down the right path. That
person is called a leader.
"C" Yourself Leading
In his
book Where have all the leaders gone? Lee Iacocca (with Catherine
Whitney) defines what he sees as the "nine C's of leadership," surprisingly
basic qualities that many of us possess. I've included these on my list of
what it takes to lead.
Curiosity - Step outside your comfort zone to hear different ideas and test
your beliefs. Be an effective listener who withholds judgment until you
completely comprehend an issue.
Creativity - Be willing to try something different. Think outside the
box. Leadership is all about managing change, creativity and adaptability.
Character - Know the difference between right and wrong, and have the
fortitude to do the right thing.
Courage - Take a position you believe to be right, even when you know it is
not popular.
Conviction - Passionately, steadfastly believe in what you do.
Charisma - Take advantage of your ability to inspire, and lead people to
trust you.
Common Sense - Use your ability to reason.
Crisis - As the saying goes, "Leaders are made, not born." Leadership
is very evident (or not!) in times of crisis.
And lastly, be competent and communicate well.
Ok, that's ten but you can see the basic
qualities that many leaders possess, the one's that you have and the one's you
might need to work on.
Leadership in Action
You
already have the power within you to affect great changes in your life, in your
profession and in the world. All you have to do is use it! I
encourage you to apply these skills as a member of the note industry, and of the
cash flow industry at large. The note industry together with the
NoteWorthy Newsletter and the Paper Source is a fine example of how many
individuals can work together to make great change on behalf of all individuals
in the business. If you are already a practitioner and actively involved
in the industry, then I encourage you to use your influence and reach out to the
next industry professional you come across and inspire him or her to make a
difference.
The
power is in your hands.
That's it for this week! Remember, Success Demands
Action! Keep on marketing, it’s going to
work! TWITA!
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