Boiling an egg takes 12 minutes

A trip to the moon takes 3 days

High school takes 4 years

Becoming a leader takes . . . . ?

For those aspiring to become a leader, the question that most often comes up is “How will I know when the time is right?”  But time is simply a tool; it doesn’t define you, your achievements or your readiness to make them — including your quest towards becoming a leader. Perhaps the more important question is, “How will I know when I am right?”  The answer to that lies in your responses to these eight questions:

1. Have you put in the time and work?

All good things take time. Don’t take shortcuts or try to rush the process — you must go through it. The biggest challenge young leaders face is an unrealistic perception of the time it takes to earn the responsibility to lead. The most important thing is PATIENCE.

2. Are you respected for your actions and example?

Without a doubt, your achievements and effort are crucial in your quest to achieve a leadership role. However, the actions you exhibit and the examples you set for others will be the primary reasons for your promotion to leadership roles. Make sure your priorities are in order… you never know when people are watching.

3. What is your “why”?

Your “why” will give your life clarity and purpose — and as a result, it will shape who you are and you will clearly know what you want out of life. When you know your perspective about life, you can achieve amazing things. This will be the foundation for your growth as you climb the ladder to success. To find your why, dig deep and practice some basic self-awareness. What are your strengths? What can you contribute? What are your core principles that make you unique?

4. Can you accept that everything will be your fault?

You read that correctly. Everything will be your fault — everything. In order to be an effective and respected leader, you must be willing to be accountable for not only your actions, but also those of your team. When something goes wrong, are you prepared to put your ego aside, accept the constructive criticism and then implement change while accepting accountability?

5. Are you prepared to fail?

You will fail more than you succeed. You will face adversity at every corner, and challenges that you didn’t prepare for. Successful people agree that at the core of all success is failure. The key to getting past it is to move forward. No matter how small a step it is, it is still progress.There are opportunities for learning every time you fail; find them. Failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of success!

6. Do you know the difference between managing and leading?

And there is a big difference! Managing is about policy and procedure. Leadership is about a balance of policy and procedure, but more important, it is about empathy and gratitude. Leadership is about helping others grow, and having the ability to influence and inspire others. It is not about authority or power. Respect the role.

7. Are you aware of your strengths and weaknesses?

Self-awareness is an amazing skill that allows you to know more about yourself, how to manage yourself, and finally, how to be honest with yourself. It is vital that you are aware of your strengths, just as much as your weaknesses. Focus on those strengths, but spend time developing the skills that need sharpening. Never stop learning.

8. Are you prepared to work even harder?

Be careful what you wish for — a leadership role will require more time, energy, and effort than you currently contribute. You will go from being responsible and accountable for yourself to carrying the obligation for others who also aspire to succeed. You will play a critical role in their development, and you hold the ability to empower them. One thing I can promise you, though, is that the reward is worth the effort.

Be honest with yourself on this journey, as leaders are not born, they are made. Find people willing to invest in you with their time, lessons and guidance. They are called mentors, and they are invaluable. Two of the most powerful warriors are patience and time.

When the time is right, when YOU are right, your patience will be rewarded.

Humbled to lead,

Have you ever had a dream that you pursued with every ounce of energy, love and devotion — but you only shared it with a very small circle?

That is exactly what I have done, and it is just one of the many reasons why today is so incredibly special to me and why I am overwhelmed by excitement, gratitude and humility to announce that . . .

CHARGE UP IS OFFICIALLY A REALITY, WE ARE LIFTING OFF!

Charge Up is a website that I created about leadership.
Charge Up has something for everybody – from the aspiring leader to the experienced CEO.  It is the culmination of an unbelievable effort by a team that has worked tirelessly to make a positive impact through intriguing, innovative and distinctive content; content that will engage the audience in real-world leadership challenges through the website and our social media channels.

Charge Up is not about me, it’s about YOU. 
My goal is to share knowledge and experience both individually and collectively to empower, inspire and motivate you. I want to bring the process of ambition to the forefront, and help people make their passion their purpose.

I decided to take on this venture for a few reasons. Writing and speaking are strengths I was blessed to have – I got that from my father.  In my mind, Charge Up is a pay-it-forward concept.  It is to encourage people to find their passion, find the good in people, and to empower others to succeed by leading well.

Most of all, it is to remind people that leadership is a privilege, a gift, and not to ever take it for granted.

“It was the sudden death of my father in April of 2017
that inspired me to create Charge Up . . .”

I never imagined that I would have a such a dramatic moment of self-awareness on the heels of turning 50 — that would lead me to a path that has changed my life so positively. It’s proof that we are never too young or too old to follow our dreams.

I had just completed another grief-counseling appointment and something hit me. I had finally come to the realization that unless I was willing to put the effort into letting go of the tremendous grief I had in my heart and aggressively move toward the direction of gratitude for all that I did have in my life, I was going to lose my self-identity, my soul, and who I was as a person as the result of the death of a very important person in my life.

For 82 years,my father provided his family and his friends an incredible example of what people today call “servant leadership”.  He always put others first — and it wasn’t a sacrifice, it was his character. He was a man of tremendous integrity: an amazing father, friend, and leader. I learned so many valuable lessons as a result of his love, patience and willingness to listen. He was my inspiration and my role model.

I was searching for something to keep his spirit alive, but more importantly, I wanted to leave a written legacy of the lessons, attitudes, thoughts, opinions, acts and generosity that he taught me. So I decided — what better way to honor him than by inspiring others, at the very least making them think a little deeper or differently?

“Charge Up is a chance for ME to make a difference,
and create a legacy.”

I would like to sincerely thank a few people, for without their support, encouragement and belief in this project, none of this would have been even remotely possible.

My Charge Up Team:
Cordy Gonzalez – Creative Director
Andrea Frost – Writer & Strategist
Abel Garza – Photographer
JD Garza – Producer & Videographer
Lloyd Hocutt – Audio Producer

And to my father, Vic Pisano Sr., who I know is looking down filled with pride and a smile . . .
I promise to carry on your legacy and I will make you proud.

My Home Team:
Beth – Wife
Isabel – Daughter
Catherine – Daughter
Thank you for the confidence, support and love on this project – I love you!