The amount of negativity all around us is no longer empowering us as a society, but instead, it is slowly crippling us in a time where we need to find and acknowledge the progress, gratitude and appreciation for life to set the example for the next generation. Too many words, not enough action. Too many problems, a lack of solutions. Too much blame, a disregard for accountability. Too much assumption, a loss of fact. Let me emphasize, this is not a political post. Nor do I want it to be misinterpreted as one. This is about self-awareness: an introspection of our own character and how we rationalize both our internal and external awareness in the environment we are in. Simply put, it is about our decisions. “Remember, a negative multiplied by a negative is only positive in math — not the real world. – Eric Thomas, Motivational Coach All of us need to take the time to reevaluate our priorities, values and purpose, to ask yourself, “Am I living up to my own standards each and every day?”. As adults, each of us — regardless of race, creed, socio-economic stature, education or persuasion — are providing the ground work for a new generation of young adults who will play a critical role in our future development in society. Do you sincerely believe that our focus is on providing a balance of both positive and negative to teach our children that there is good and bad in the world, but to also elicit the actions of problem solving and healthy, productive discussions to find unity and make an impact on the world? Our brain is bombarded with negative influences everywhere, especially from the highest influencer, visual data. It is now estimated that upward of 90% of the news, both newspaper and television, is negative content. A 2016 review of all social media channels discovered that on average, 62% of posts and/or comments are negative-biased (statista.com). We have developed a negativity bias in our cognitive system over time that creates “mental shortcuts” that push us toward the negative in a situation rather than actually processing it, thinking about it, using critical thought and providing an honest opinion. What influences us the most to make these shortcuts? Other people’s opinions. It doesn’t take science to prove that we tend to lean toward the side of popular opinion as opposed to sticking with our independent belief because we fear being the outcast, or not part of the majority. Over time, we have lost our ability to generate free and independent thought because what was once a simple discussion with others can immediately lead to a heated, emotional debate regardless of topic. Why are we so quick to attack? When did we lose the ability to listen and discover through others’ knowledge? The fireside chat has turned into protests, violence, extreme threats on social media and a focus by news outlets to intensify the situation by making light of it at every chance they get. But if you want science to back up my position . . . According to Dr. Daniel Kahneman, 2002 Nobel Laureate and best-selling author of “Thinking, Fast and Slow”, people tend to take a benchmark and react to it. It actually takes effort to make an individual act and think rationally to find the support for independent thought processes. His empirical findings challenge the assumption of human rationality prevailing in modern economic theory; however, his research, results and principles are largely used by behavioral psychologists today. “Life is a reflection of what you think. If your thoughts are negative, the world you see will be the same.” – Leon Brown, MLB player Time for me to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Here are five ways to make positive changes in your life today that will leave a lasting impression on others, as well as make you a happier person. Surround yourself with positive people. Make sure those in your life are positive, supportive people you can depend on to give helpful advice and feedback. Negative people may increase your stress level and make you doubt your ability to manage stress in healthy ways. Practice positive self-talk. All of these things will contribute to you having a positive and productive mindset. You know what I mean — you just need to think about it! Don’t post on social media when you’re angry, don’t respond unless you grandmother would approve of every word you use, don’t have an opinion unless you have the knowledge and facts to back it up. Show respect and avoid the fight. Only participate if you can clearly see the intent and purpose is for a positive change. It’s one thing to post a sarcastic retort on something you disagree with; it’s another thing to have an intelligent debate while disagreeing. Think of it like this, “Pay it Forward” and focus on what YOU can do to make a difference. Once you get the motivation to do it, you will see the immediate benefits, and a true leader will find the purpose in getting more invested in the mission. One person can make an incredible difference. Giving and gratitude go hand in hand. The more you practice it, the better you will get at it. I challenge you to take the first step, then pass it on and grow the efforts. When I say be a mentor, I mean take an active role in discovering what you are passionate about and go inspire others. You can find these opportunities all around you, through schools, community-based mentor programs, your church, YMCA, etc. Regardless of where you choose, mentor a young person who needs direction in their life. Teach them about life, integrity, leadership and the character and skills necessary to succeed. For some of these kids, you may be the only positive figure in their life. You can make a difference. For some, this may seem uncomfortable, but it is no different than journaling. I am a huge proponent of journaling; it allows me to put my thoughts, ideas, concerns, frustrations and questions on paper. And when I write things down, I am more likely to act upon them. A component of my journaling that I learned from my father was to remember what you grateful for each day. For years, I have made it a habit to write five things down each day that I am grateful for. We all have general ones such as health, family and friends, but look deeper and put thought into it. If I can recognize the things I am grateful for before I go to bed, the odds of me waking up with the right attitude increase. Don’t talk. Act. Don’t say. Show. Don’t promise. Prove. Make a difference today. VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #chargeup #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #patience #change #venture #lead #prosper #reflect #inspire #empower #motivate #beyou #gratitude #integrity #starttoday #humilty RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
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✏ You, Only Better: Self-Improvement for Leaders
The quest for knowledge is a never-ending journey. Anything worthwhile takes time to build. You know the saying, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. Just in case you’re wondering: according to historians who took the time to count, it actually took 1,00,491 days. To be an effective leader today, you must make an investment in your personal development and make it a never-ending journey; there is no starting point, nor an end. The more time you spend on developing your skill sets, the more experienced you will become. Even small steps equal great distances over time. In your journey to improve, complacency is the enemy. There is always somebody grinding harder than you looking for an opportunity. Most people say that there aren’t enough hours in the day to set aside time for self-improvement, because of all the challenges that barrage us every day. We live in a world where there is an enormous amount of information getting thrown at us through unlimited amounts of outlets to consume. What if you looked at it another way? Let’s think about professional athletes. It may not be an “apples to apples” comparison, but stay with me for just a second. Professional athletes have their season and their off season. During the season, they work to contribute to their teams’ success by playing a role. They dedicate every aspect of their lives – from what they eat to how much they sleep to when they train. Game after game, the physical and mental toll that they go through is unimaginable to most. However, once their season ends, the real season begins – the off season. During this time that they focus on self-improvement. They start with rest and relaxation. They heal themselves mentally and physically. They focus on getting stronger, faster and mentally prepared. They take full advantage of the time to train and perfect their skills. In some cases, they spend up to eight hours a day during the off season, six days a week. You’re probably saying to yourself, “there is no off season for a leader.” Wrong. We may not have specific months for a regiment of self-development, but we have the same expectations and needs to focus on ourselves. If you don’t have a game plan for your off season as a leader, now is the time. Think about the opportunities you may be overlooking. Start your day earlier. Take advantage of your commute. How much time you spend on social media? Can you empower your team more to boost collaboration? Do you spend too much time on emails and texts when a call can accomplish your objective in less time? Ok, you’ve found the time. Now, what skills can we work on in our personal development plan? 10 Things You Can Work On in the “Off Season”: Remember, improvement must be based on practicality. If you really want it, your actions should match your ambitions. Leaders can continuously improve and develop themselves if they have a plan and follow it. The best leaders are always honing their skill sets to become better. The desire for self-improvement is a sign of a great leader! VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #chargeup #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #patience #change #venture #lead #prosper #reflect #inspire #empower #motivate #beyou #gratitude #integrity #starttoday #humilty RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
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✏ Leadership GPS
Imagine if we all had our own personal “Leadership GPS” to carry with us to navigate every situation. Just a simple visual or voice prompt to guide us to the right decisions. All we would have to do is wake up, turn it on, and start our day. Back to reality…none of us have a Leadership GPS, and likely won’t for a long while. However, we do have an internal voice — a force within all of us that can guide our decisions. The question is, are you using it? “There is a voice that doesn’t use words. Listen.” – Rumi GPS PROMPT: WHERE AM I? Just as when we get in the car and begin to program our destination into the GPS, we also need to do the same to ourselves. It’s called SELF-EVALUATION. You need to be humble enough to know exactly who you are. Identify exactly what you are good at and what you aren’t good at. Capitalize on your strengths, and find the time to build your abilities where you have weakness. Put your ego aside, be honest, and begin your plan of action to execute. GPS PROMPT: HOW FAR TO DESTINATION? You will need a map to navigate this journey and achieve the successful outcome that you are capable of. Let’s begin the journey; in this case, we will define that “journey” as a major business objective that you are responsible for leading. Just like with a long trip, you wouldn’t go into it without preparation. The same holds true for leadership. You will need a specific plan, with identified roles and responsibilities, analytics, clarification of goals and the definition of success. Use S.M.A.R.T. goals to create your plan: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time frame. GPS PROMPT: QUICKEST ROUTE? We all catch ourselves checking the GPS to see how much longer until we arrive. Applying this concept to leadership is the most concerning to me. Just like in a car, leaders are in a rush to arrive at their destination. Leadership is an earned trust, and anything earned requires time. The journey toward being an effective leader cannot occur without time and EXPERIENCE. If you rush the process, you have cheated yourself and those who are following you. GPS PROMPT: TRAFFIC AHEAD? Translate this to leadership and it’s called ADVERSITY. How will you respond? Most people stay within their comfort zone, relying on the excuse of “this is how we have always done it.” Success is not complicated, but it is difficult. It means you need to have the courage to take risks knowing that you may fail. That is a bold statement, but those who can maneuver around the excuses and/or fear are the ones who succeed in the long run. The best way to prepare for adversity is to be prepared and have alternate plans. Option A doesn’t always work, so you need to be prepared with Plans B and C along the way. “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as – Henry David Thoreau GPS PROMPT: CHANGE ROUTE? This ties in with SELF-EVALUATION; are you humble enough to recognize that your plan may not be the best option to get you to the point established as the end goal? Have you earned the respect from those around you for open dialogue? We all are driven to be successful, and as a leader, we understand that the wins and losses fall upon us. However, change your mindset and the results can be different. If you have empowered others to do what’s right, as opposed to doing what’s easy, you are an effective leader. Listen to those who can offer guidance and solutions, and you will earn just as much respect as if you did it all yourself. VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #chargeup #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #patience #change #venture #lead #prosper #reflect #inspire #empower #motivate #beyou #gratitude #integrity #starttoday #humilty RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
what you become by achieving your goals.”
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✏ Power Planning: A Mt. Everest Kind of Sunday
Is climbing Mount Everest on your bucket list? If so, is your plan to book your flight, make the 22-hour trip to Nepal, show up and simply hike up the 31,000-ft. ascent to the top of the 60-million-year-old mountain? Of course not — you will first invest your time and effort in carefully constructing a detailed plan. A few facts to consider as you plan this expedition: it will cost you ~$75,000, you’re going to need an experienced ‘Sherpa’ to assist you in putting the logistics together for the 60-day hike and help guide you; be prepared, maximum wind speeds of 200 MPH and temperatures – 76°. A bit of an extreme example, but I wanted to illustrate a point — challenges require extreme thought and planning to produce successful results. As life continues to increase in speed each year of my professional life, and the challenges and responsibilities increase, I understand that change is inevitable and constant. Never get too comfortable with any routine in your life or career because the competition for market share pushes companies and their staffs to the brink to be an innovator vs. a follower. However, there is one constant over the past 25+ years in my routine that has not changed, and that is spending an hour or so each Sunday evening on my weekly planning. The power of weekly planning lies in the perspective and control it provides for your life; it allows you a clear path that puts you in a position to be proactive, rather than reactive as the distractions of work and life come at you from all directions. It also eliminates stress, makes you better-prepared for unexpected obstacles and allows you to evaluate your progress. For even the most talented people, time management is demanding, and planning is the most important part of the formula. By spending a small chunk of time without distraction, you can created a powerful weekly action plan to be your compass in efficiency and effectiveness as you navigate the week. So how do you start? I’ll walk you through the routine I follow. Remember, this is an activity that is based on your personality. Some require specific action plans to accompany their weekly plan, while others work efficiently and simply create a brief road map to ensure they have their priorities in order. Here is how I structure my personal plan: There is a caveat to all this…even the best-laid plans need adjusting. That’s why daily planning is also critical in the process. At the end of each day, I review that respective day and my week ahead and may have to adjust as needed. While I try to avoid making changes to my high-priority items, I may move around other tasks or push them if the deadline is not necessarily near because of an unexpected task that hits. Don’t be disappointed or feel as if the plan is not an effective tool. Your planner serves as a best-case scenario. However, if you make the planning sessions a habit, after time, you will be a much better judge of your time and find yourself with more motivation, direction and peace in your life. VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #chargeup #lessonsinleadership #planning #makeaplan #leadership #process #success #moveforward #patience #change #venture #lead #prosper #empower #motivate #inspire #beyou #gratitude #integrity #starttoday #humilty RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
Bottom line: if you fail to plan, then plan to fail . . .
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✏ Control the Controllables
God grant me the serenity BUT . . . THE WORLD IS NOT PERFECT. In fact, the only thing certain in this world is uncertainty. When we spend time complaining about the things we cannot control, all we are doing is taking the energy and attention away from what we need to be focused on. Life is stressful enough; why add to it? 5 THINGS YOU CAN’T CONTROL: Quit fighting change – EMBRACE CHANGE. The first way to accomplish that is to practice acceptance. It can provide you so many benefits in your life, including a positive attitude, greater appreciation, gratitude, and a better perspective. Your attitude toward life is affected by your ability to EMBRACE CHANGE. Change will happen…the question is, will it leave you behind? “The world still is the samel you’ll never change it, – “You’re Nobody till Somebody Loves You” Everybody has certain challenges, lessons and constraints. Approach them wisely, and you can still be bold. You just need to know your limits and that includes the things you cannot control. Look for possibilities, and challenge yourself to think outside the boundaries. By simply controlling two things — your effort and attitude — you can accomplish more than all the other things you cannot control. The strength is in attitude: once you accept and move past change, you have the ability to find peace in your life. Acceptance will result in gratitude. Gratitude will make you see things differently. That’s freedom. 5 THINGS YOU CAN CONTROL: Controlling the controllables requires discipline, and you will experience a lot of trial and error. But when you master the art, there will be a tremendous weight lifted off your shoulders, along with renewed inspiration and excitement to push yourself further in accomplishing your goals. Leadership is a privilege. Make a difference today. VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #chargeup #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #fail #learnfromfailure #bounceback #failure #success #moveforward #patience #change #venture #lead #prosper #empower #motivate #inspire #beyou #gratitude #integrity #starttoday #humilty #control #notcontrrol RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
— The Serenity Prayer
Were there truer words ever spoken? Reading it, you wonder why it’s so difficult to simply live life like this. Four sentences that have the power to inspire you to live the life you were meant to live! In a perfect world, this would be all you need to hear.
As sure as the star shines above . . .”
written by Larry Stock
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✏ The Art of Listening
“I heard you the first time!” Sound familiar? This is the battle cry from kids when you’re trying to get them to complete a task. I give the kids credit, though; they aren’t saying, “I listened the first time!” It proves the point that there is a difference between listening and hearing. We wouldn’t have to tell them more than once if they were listening. Most of us have the ability to hear, but do we really listen? Often, we tune out because we either don’t agree with what’s being said, or miss out because we are already thinking about what we want to say next. “Leaders who don’t listen will eventually be surrounded by Did you know: To be an effective leader, listening is a critical skill. You cannot do everything yourself, so empowering others becomes your resource for information. You may have an opinion, and one that serves the conversation, but interruption only causes frustration and wasted time. Listen with intent, respect and curiosity — or you may miss that one great thought due to your impatience. Follow up by saying, “What I’m hearing you say is…”. This is where miscommunication is discovered. How can you become a more effective listener? You will immediately recognize the impact listening has when you see the trust and respect gained by those you talk with. Human interaction is the key to building trust, and it is through the rapport we have in a one-on-one setting that matters most. When you don’t listen, people stop talking. And when you lose communication, you lose control. My father always told me, “God gave you two ears and one mouth; you should listen twice as much as you talk.” He was right — you can learn a lot when you listen, and really hear! Leadership is a privilege. Make a difference today. VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #listen #hear #chargeup #chargeuptoday #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #strongleader #patience #leadershipjourney #resilience #failure #success #moveforward #adversity #areyouready #leadandfollow #mentorship #mentor #venture #lead #prosper #reflect #inspire #empower RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
people who have nothing to say.”
– Andy Stanley
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✏ Loyalty: Employees Quit Bosses, Not Leaders
Do you think poor leadership has an effect on team performance? ABSOLUTELY. YOU CAN’T CREATE GREAT FOLLOWERS UNDER POOR LEADERSHIP. In today’s business environment, being a leader isn’t simply a job title. One must have the ability to motivate and inspire a team to empower them to deliver the company goals, and do so in an engaging spirit. A Gallup poll of more 1 million employed U.S. workers concluded that the No. 1 reason people quit their jobs is a bad boss or immediate supervisor. 75% of workers who voluntarily left their jobs did so because of their boss — not the position or company itself. In spite of how good a job may be, people will quit if the relationship is not healthy. “People leave managers not companies…in the end, turnover is mostly a manager issue.” We often talk about the differences between a “boss” and a “leader”. It’s a simple way to distinguish the difference in a definition that has changed dramatically over the years, as more studies point to the success of what traits make great leaders. For years, many individuals in a position of power abused their role through a lack of integrity, sensitivity, honesty and inspiration. A key trait that is absent in poor leadership is empathy. In order to be an effective leader, you have to respect the relationship, and have a genuine understanding of the roles and responsibilities of your team members. Your job is to support, encourage and inspire. I have said numerous times in my blog posts, LEADERSHIP IS A PRIVILEGE. You are tasked with a tremendous responsibility — one that goes beyond your own self-development. If you don’t truly understand the requirements and expectations, then maybe leadership isn’t for you. The problem is, too many people have an ego that doesn’t allow them to step away, or they don’t have a mentor showing them how to be a good leader. A great phrase most of us have heard is “loyalty breeds loyalty”. In order for a leader to receive loyalty, you must first give it. YOU are the example of leadership in everything you do. If you demonstrate commitment, you will gain it back in return. If you demonstrate integrity, you will gain it back in return. If you demonstrate character, you will gain it back in return. It starts with leaders who understand that to get loyalty from others, you must first give it. Leaders who take the initiative in demonstrating commitment to their teams are far more successful in gaining commitment in return. If you have their back, they will have yours. “Strong leaders won’t create followers; they create more leaders.” A strong leader provides empowerment and allows their employees to grow. They serve as a mentor, with a shared goal of watching you succeed. By contrast, a poor leader will hold you back professionally, developmentally — and will create an atmosphere that lacks challenge, encouragement and personal gain. Let’s be realistic, no leader is perfect. Each will have their own strengths and weaknesses; however, effective leaders have the self-awareness to identify areas for improvement and are dedicated to constantly growing. Good management takes effort and experience, but it’s really pretty straightforward. It does require a tremendous amount of work, and with that comes a dedication to craft your team toward success. That’s the reward though, watching those under your mentorship succeed on their own. Bottom line, don’t take your employees for granted; they’re the most valuable asset you have. VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #boss #bossorleader #chargeup #chargeuptoday #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #strongleader #patience #leadershipjourney #resilience #failure #success #moveforward #adversity #areyouready #leadandfollow #mentorship #mentor #venture #lead #prosper #reflect #inspire #empower RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
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✏ An Attitude of Gratitude
For most of us, regardless of what time our day starts, after we turn off the alarm our minds begin to process all of the necessary tasks for that particular day. It’s very similar to that of a car engine warming up. You visualize what the priorities are, what you are behind on, the meetings planned for the day, the emails you still need to reply to, the phone calls you need to return, not to mention the projects you have put off at home. All of this hits you before the shower water even gets hot! You want to change that routine of stress? There is a recourse to this habit; one that doesn’t take a book, a course, or even a 10-step program. It’s as simple as one word – GRATITUDE. Imagine changing your routine and starting each day with a commitment to only 5 minutes of thinking about the things you are grateful for. “Gratitude is the single most important ingredient To be genuinely grateful, one must have a high quality of thankfulness. All I have to say to you is look around — there is so much to be thankful for. Unfortunately we stay stuck either in the high gears of life, or downshifting to catch up. Why not stay in first gear and just coast for a few minutes, and come to the realization that YOU are in an incredibly rewarding role as a leader? YOU get to make a difference in the lives of people you lead every day. You have been provided a privilege, one that you should never take for granted. Commit to five minutes in your morning routine to simply identify five things that you are grateful for at that particular time. It will be easy for a few weeks, but I challenge you not to repeat yourself. Granted, being thankful for things like an incredible partner, healthy and loving children, and a supportive network of family and friends will always be on this list. But the real thought will come once you get outside that box. That’s why I used the word “commit” when I suggested changing your morning routine. “Gratitude changes everything . . .” I personally have a list where I write these things down; I call it my “gratitude catalog”. It’s amazing what looking at a word document filled with line after line of months’ worth of gratitude entries can do to shift one’s perspective. If you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, if you know you’re about to enter a day filled with pressure and high expectations, being able to remind yourself that the blessings of life surround you immediately changes your mindset. It’s just in our DNA – see positive, think positive, act positive. 30 things you can choose to be grateful for now: * excluding partner, children, family and friends . . . Sometimes it’s tough to find the find the bright side of things because of the enormous amount of challenges we face each day. However, remember that no matter how bad your situation may seem, there are more things to be grateful for in life than there are problems. Realize how amazing your life is — and start with YOU! VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #chargeup #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #success #moveforward #patience #attitude #gratitude #commit #fiveminutes #gratitudeissuccess RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
to living a successful and fulfilled life.”
– Jack Canfield
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✏ The Intersection of Skill and Will
“The will must be stronger than the skill.” Within successful business paradigms lie vast resources for leaders to assess employees. There are simple ratings based tools, objectives-based evaluations, and the 360° approach, just to name a few. We then jump into specific performance systems that all are “scientifically” proven to be effective. Let’s focus on one – the Skill vs. Will Matrix. I call it the “Intersection of Skill vs. Will” because those four quadrants that seem so simple to use can become extremely frustrating to manage and assess performance, motivation and skill. And just where does leadership enter the equation? By taking an objective approach to studying the situation, and including yourself as a part of the evaluation. WILL When we talk about WILL, we are basically looking at the attitude of person and the positive motivation around the achievement of an objective. The difference between having a strong will vs. a weak will in most cases is centered around both willpower and self-discipline. You must have the will to succeed. However, it will require a perseverance to relentlessly hone your craft, or in this case, your skill. As a leader, when evaluating your team, you must have a firm understanding of this concept if you want to provide both a fair and balanced assessment, as well as a collaborative work environment. SKILL What about SKILL? For this one, simply think about the technical ability to execute the functions of the objective. It is going to include traits such as experience, training, knowledge and natural talents. As an example, when we talk about a “skilled laborer”, we know that they excel within a defined skill set. WILL VS. SKILL Combine the two – SKILL and WILL – and you will find a true litmus test for leaders trying to develop an effective team while evaluating autonomy, guidance, authority, direction and goals. I don’t want to get scientific or elaborate too much, but the issue you face is how can you, as a leader, ensure that there is an adequate amount of: My point is, it takes more than a title and enthusiasm to lead a successful team. You will be tested at times to dig deep and evaluate. In most cases, the devil will be in the details. In that evaluation, you must be both fair and objective in the criticism and/or decisions you may face. Look within yourself and honestly consider if you have fulfilled your commitments. You will have to direct your attentions toward guidance, direction, delegation and inspiration to find the perfect balance. In some cases, you will need to challenge yourself to make the decision to possibly eliminate a team member if you don’t see a positive contribution to the overall objective. Skill vs. will — simple, right? Think again! VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #chargeup #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #skill #will #skillvswill RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
– Muhammad Ali
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✏ The Gift That Keeps on Giving
November 8, 1924 – April 30, 2017 Today is for you, Dad! Happy Birthday… For as long as I can remember, my father always enjoyed his birthday. He would talk about it weeks in advance to remind us, expressing the importance that we go all out and buy him very nice gifts and celebrate at a fancy restaurant. He said we owed him for all the birthdays he spoiled us as kids. The reality was he didn’t care about the gifts or the fancy restaurant; he was happy with anything as long as it was with family. That was kind of man my father was; family always came first. Simply put, Vic was an amazing man. He was what some would call “old-fashioned”, and was a friend to everyone he met. He believed in a handshake and a man’s word. He worked hard, earned his success and helped those in need. He was strong in his faith and knew he would celebrate the day when the Lord took him. He was brave, courageous and full of humility. If he called you friend, you could count on him. Simply put, Vic was an amazing man. There were so many lessons he taught us, but what always came first was the importance of family. I have so many distinct memories of my life spent with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. So many of those people from my childhood have passed, but the memories are so vivid. As a child, we spent every Sunday having lunch with my grandparents and the extended family would come in and out of their home as if it were an open house. There was always a table full of food, wine, beautiful stories, and laughter. When my grandparents passed away, we were fortunate that my father, uncle, and aunt, inherited their love for family by carrying on the traditions of spending every Sunday together as a family, which I now do with my own children. The saddest thing about losing my father is that he died on a Sunday. I didn’t get to sit at a table full of food, wine, beautiful stories, and smiles. That Sunday would be so different from all of the others. And though it breaks my heart that I didn’t get one last Sunday to tell him I loved him, I know that his Sunday dinner that day was the most incredible and beautiful one of all, more than he or us could ever imagine. I imagine his first Sunday in heaven was filled with family and friends from years past with tables filled with food, wine, wonderful stories, and smiles. There were hugs, kisses and more love at his dinner table than we as a family could ever provide because he was at the Lord’s table. I know he looked down on us as we mourned, but in my heart, I felt as if he was telling each one of his children…it’s your turn to carry on. He had taught us so many lessons over the years, and God had the confidence in us that we were prepared and ready to live life without him. Now that I have accepted the role of continuing the traditions that my dad, my grandparents, and generations before them had celebrated, it’s my turn to teach my own children how important family is. It’s my turn to honor him. “A father should be his son’s first hero . . .” Moving forward… Following his sudden death on April 30, 2017, it was an incredibly challenging period in my life. I knew I needed to work through the grief I was experiencing. And I know it’s precisely what he would have told me. When his birthday rolled around six months later, we decided to celebrate by having a party. He wouldn’t be there physically, but I knew his spirit would be everywhere. We asked every guest to write their favorite memory of Vic so we could read them aloud to celebrate his life. What a great party it was! Smiles everywhere, good food, good wine, love, and laughter; all those Sunday nights were. And yes, his spirit was everywhere. It was a beautiful tribute to a man who always put others before himself, and he was loved beyond measure. You could hear it in the words, voices and body language of each person who spoke. That evening, I came to the realization that each beautiful, unique and inspiring story needed to be shared. It would be my honor to carry his legacy forward and dedicate myself to become the man he was. This is how CHARGE UP came to be . . . “The gifts that keep on giving are those of his legacy.” This is the vessel to move from grief to gratitude every day, to celebrate his legacy, and most important, to pay it forward and make an impact in people’s lives the same way he did for more than 80 years. Venture, Lead, Prosper…those are his initials. If you didn’t have the privilege of knowing my father, I’d like you to learn at least one more thing about him. I can think of no better way to end this than with laughter… Vic always made family and friends laugh over the years because of a knack he had for what we called “Vic’isms,” and when corrected, he would respond, “Whatever, same thing!”. He would take a word, phrase or sentence, say it wrong, and truly make it his own. Eventually, we needed a journal to keep up, so the “Vic-tionary” was created! With that, I would like to present you some of my favorites on this special day: When he called my sister-in-law from the hospital when my wife was giving birth to our second child, Catherine, he told her, “they are going to seduce the baby!” He meant to say “induce” the baby. His response: WHATEVER, SAME THING… He once told us all that he was going to be remodeling his home and would be putting “Gerber” carpet in. He meant to say “Berber carpet.” His response: WHATEVER, SAME THING… We complimented his shirt at a family gathering, and he proudly told us that it was from “Banana Republican.” He meant to say “Banana Republic.” His response: WHATEVER, SAME THING… He was describing a scene of an accident that he passed and told us that he thought it was severe because the police officer was giving the man “UPS.” He meant to say CPR. His response: WHATEVER, SAME THING… While preparing a meal, he told us that we should be using a “SEGREGATED” knife. He meant to say “serrated.” His response: WHATEVER, SAME THING… “My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived and I watched him do it.” I sincerely appreciate you allowing me the platform to dedicate this to my father. Charge Up, Dad! I hope you are proud; we love and miss you every day… VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Blessed to carry on his legacy, #ChargeUp #venture #lead #prosper #legacy #inspiration #gratitude #love #Dad #HappyBirthday RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.A tribute to my father and inspiration: Vic Pisano, Sr.
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✏ The Thrill of Victory, the Agony Between the Feet
Does the fear of failure ever stand in your way of achieving your goals? Have you learned to bounce back and persevere? If your answer is “not really,” I have a story for you… It was October 26, 1986, and over 55,000 people were packed into Shea Stadium for the 83rd World Series. The Boston Red Sox held a 3-game to 2 advantage in the best of 7 series over the New York Mets. Win this game, and the 68-year old “Curse of the Bambino” would be erased from the memory of every Sox fans in what would later rank as one of the greatest World Series of all time. After the top of the tenth inning and with over 22 million viewers tuned in, NBC had started to set up in the visiting Red Sox clubhouse to film the postgame celebration and the exchange of the Commissioner’s Trophy. The champagne was on ice, and Bob Costas was set to preside over the ceremony. After the second out in the tenth, the scoreboard operator in Shea Stadium accidentally posted “Congratulations Boston Red Sox, 1986 World Series Champions”. It was meant with a roar of boos and was immediately removed. “The game ain’t over ‘til it’s over.” With the winning run at second base, the Mets had two outs and a 3-2 count on Mookie Wilson. Wilson hit a little roller down the first base line, a routine play for any novice, much less an MLB 1st baseman — but it was anything but routine that night. It went past his glove, between his legs and faded just enough outside the baseline to bring Kevin Mitchell, the tying run at 3rd, and Ray Knight, the winning run at 2nd, in to score and in dramatic fashion, win the game for the Mets, 6-5. The New York Mets would go on to win the series after a 10-9 victory over the Red Sox in game 7 and were crowned the 1986 World Series Champions. in its wake, one name was immediately and indelibly etched in the lore of Red Sox baseball: Bill Buckner. If you’re a Red Sox fan, you’ve probably brought his name up a few times with your therapist. Buckner was the first baseman in that game. This guy didn’t ride the pine either; Buckner spent twenty-two years in the majors, had over 2,700 hits with 9,397 plate appearances, over 100 RBI’s, a .289 batting average in a span of over 3,500 career games. In 1986, he was 17 years into his career. However, all of that meant nothing. October 26, 1986, means everything. “Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical.” Let’s go back to failure. It would have been easy for Buckner to end his career following that season; he was ridiculed and the target of every sports journalist and Red Sox fan across the country during the off-season, even receiving death threats. It was more than enough to make any man crumble, even an experienced professional athlete. But amazingly enough, Buckner somehow went on to play another five successful seasons following the debacle of 1986. In an Associated Press interview in 2005, Buckner revealed his secret to moving on. “I think a lot of people would have really let it bother them,” he mused. “Or you could use it in a positive manner. I’m a positive person.” There are those who have the courage and fortitude to allow failure to serve as inspiration as opposed to being discouraged. Failure is a constant in the process of success. Failure is an opportunity to: – Commit to improvement – Evaluate and if necessary, redirect your focus – Look within and become more self-aware – Review your plan – Find motivation – Seek trusted mentorship The off-season that followed the 1986 World Series was dedicated to improvement for Buckner, despite his critics. That was not how he was going to leave the game. He took it in stride and did not allow it to become a distraction as he prepared for the following season. To this day, when Buckner is interviewed, they always ask him about that play back in October of 1986. After 30 years, one has the right to get frustrated and possibly display anger in their response. After all, there have been many mistakes in sports since his. Not Bill Buckner. He answers every question with respect, dignity and an authentic tone that continues to teach others how failure doesn’t define you — how you respond to it does. He had an amazing MLB career, and he is now a successful businessman who is very involved with his community. One can’t be an innovator without risk. How can you have an entrepreneurial spirit with doubt? Where will the breakthrough come from if you have a negative mindset? BE BOLD! BE COURAGEOUS! FAIL! GET BACK UP! SUCCEED! “You can observe a lot by watching.” Today is the day that you commit to not allow fear to detour or distract you from the greatness you can achieve. Instill a mindset of positivity, discipline, passion, and perseverance in everything you do. If it’s your passion, nothing can stand in your way. Just ask Bill Buckner. “Baseball’s what I do.” Go do great things today and make a difference. VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #ChargeUp #venture #lead #prosper #inspire #gratitude #action #leadership #failure #failforward #leaderwithin #courage #compassion #BeThe1 #mentor #journey #moveforward #adversity #reflect #YouAreReady RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
– Yogi Berra
– Yogi Berra
– Yogi Berra
– Bill Buckner
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✏ Change: Old Ways Won’t Open New Doors
It’s 1856, and I need to find out the address for an event tomorrow night. Bad news — it would take the rider from Pony Express about 10-12 days to deliver that information via a letter from St. Joseph, Missouri, to me here in San Antonio, Texas. Fast forward to 2018. I need to find out the address for an event tomorrow night. In the time it took to type that, I had an answer. It’s 1856, and I need to order a gift for an event tomorrow night. Bad news, it would take the Overland Mail Company approximately 24 days via stagecoach to get it from St. Joseph, Missouri, to me here in San Antonio, Texas. Fast forward to 2018. I just ordered it on Amazon this morning; it should be here before 8:00pm tonight. “The times they are a changing.” What was fiction yesterday will be fact tomorrow. That’s why it is imperative that you create a consistent mindset to not only learn to adapt to change, but find the change in your business before your competition does. The excuse “I can’t keep up…” doesn’t work anymore. You either find a way, or you will lose the game. CHANGE. IS. A. CONSTANT. Change is the only thing that allows you to win in the long term, so you have to get comfortable with it. It’s a constant — even more so now than just a few years ago. Remember, the vast majority of people don’t like change, so in turn, they tend to adapt slower. If you are on your game, you’re already winning. I remember watching “The Jetsons” in the early 1970’s and was amazed at what the future would look like. They had these TV screens that would enable them to talk to their friends live! Hello, Facetime. Or what about Dick Tracy, he basically invented the Apple Watch back in 1965! Everything you need to create or adapt to change is simply a “click” away thanks to technology, so you don’t have an excuse. We live in such incredible times; we have the ability to make an impact and be the pioneer of change. It will put new demands on us and our lives, but if you learn to accept it, it can be a great ride. Great leaders never stop changing; that is what separates them from the rest. They have: Change will require you to become more of a critical thinker. You will need to constantly find new sources of inspiration, not only in your field, but in others — because ideas are everywhere! LIFE BEGINS AT THE END OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE For those of you who despair change, though, I’ll throw you a bone. Here are 10 things that will never change:
If you are still struggling with change after reading this, I have one final piece of advice for you . . . There’s an app for that! ☺ VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #chargeup #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #fail #learnfromfailure #bounceback #failure #success #moveforward #patience #change #venture #lead #prosper #empower #motivate #inspire #beyou #gratitude #integrity #starttoday #humilty RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
– Bob Dylan
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✏ Leadership, 80s-Hits Style: Part 2
Welcome to Part Two of our journey back in time, crafting some leadership lessons for today from some of yesterday’s best music. (Catch up on Part 1 here if you missed it). Without further ado, I’d like to offer my second top-9 picks and translations: (1988 – Public Enemy) “…Caught you lookin’ for the same thing The competition for attention is at an all-time high, but are you all bark and no bite? What traits and skills do you possess as a leader that sets you apart from the rest? The bold, courageous and inspired leave their mark and live up to the hype. Be that leader that others want to follow. (1989 – De La Soul) “…Mirror, mirror on the wall Unfortunately, there are leaders who refuse to adapt to change and continue to operate in a selfish manner. They are a boss, not a leader. Their goals are self-centered, and they have no regard or gratitude for those that they have the privilege to lead. Learn to empower others and teach them to lead. The return far outweighs the effort. (1987 – U2) “…Through the storm, we reach the shore Although Bono told the world he couldn’t live with or without you, companies have the advantage in the today’s marketplace to choose from so many qualified leadership candidates. They can and will live without you — or at least most of you. You’re responsible for your own success; it’s a daily task that requires effort. Be that leader they can’t live without. (1985 – Talking Heads) “…We’re on a road to nowhere You took the position for the title and the money, and now you’re stuck in a dead-end job watching your friends succeed because they didn’t take shortcuts. They took the longer path with their eye on the long-term prize as opposed to the short-term gain. But remember: it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. (1980 – The Pretenders) “…Got brass in pocket The gold at the end of the rainbow is just a myth, but you can still enjoy the rainbow. Work hard, pay your dues and be patient. Find a mentor and listen and learn. Look for opportunities to grow. Be thankful for the chances you are given to contribute. In time, your financial goals will take care of themselves. (1987 – Eric B. & Rakim) “…I came to overcome before I’m gone You have chance to leave a legacy by being a good leader, maybe even a great leader; don’t take it lightly. Inspire, motivate, sacrifice, provide a clear vision that others respect and together you can make a difference. Lead with respect and gratitude, because the ones you are leading are watching your example. (1986 – Bon Jovi) “…We’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got The weak and unprepared depend upon luck. The strong and organized create their own luck, but it’s not called luck. It’s defined as hard work and sacrifice. You will only get what you are willing to put in. Don’t hope for it, earn it. I been everywhere, still, I’m standing tall. I’ve seen a million faces, and I’ve rocked them all. (Sorry, couldn’t resist!) (1984 – Bruce Springsteen) “…Oh, I’m on fire Woo ooh ooh There is no better feeling than to watch a plan come together as a leader. To see each member of the team fulfill their contribution to the overall objective and succeed. It is what you work for, it is why you chose to lead. Take every small win you can and let it be the fire that motivates you. (1981 – Squeeze) “…I bought a toothbrush, some toothpaste The short cut is always tempting, however, to win the race, you have to be willing to invest your efforts on the long-term. There will be times you just want the easier way, but don’t jeopardize all that you’ve earned because of a moment of mediocrity. Stay focused and stick to the plan. Leadership is a privilege. Did I say privilege? Bonus round! The Fixx (1983): “Privilege” “…Privilege you have the right Go do great things today and make a difference. #chargeup #lessonsinleadership #leadership #flashback #the80s #lead #process #failure #success #moveforward #change #venture #lead #prosper #empower #motivate #inspire #gratitude #integrity #starttoday #ambition #action #journey #destination #passion #spirit RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.Word Up – Everybody Wants to Rule the World
It’s a new thing, check out this I bring
Uh Oh the roll below the level
‘Cause I’m livin’ low next to the bass, c’mon
Turn up the radio…”
Tell me, mirror, what is wrong?
Can it be my de la clothes
Or is it just my de la song?..”
You give it all but I want more
And I’m waiting for you…”
Come on inside
Taking that ride to nowhere
We’ll take that ride
I’m feeling okay this morning
And you know
We’re on the road to paradise
Here we go, here we go…”
Got bottle I’m gonna use it
Intention I feel inventive
Gonna make you, make you, make you notice…”
By showing and proving and letting knowledge be born
Then after that I live forever. You disagree?
You say never? Then follow me.
From century to century, you’ll remember me
In history, not a mystery or a memory . . .”
It doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not
We’ve got each other and that’s a lot for love
We’ll give it a shot…”
Oh, I’m on fire
Oh, I’m on fire
Woo ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh
Woo ooh ooh
Woo ooh ooh…”
A flannel for my face
Pajamas, a hairbrush
New shoes and a case
I said to my reflection
“Let’s get out of this place…”
If you’re on the frequency, yeah
If you’re on the frequency, ooh yeah
So when you say that
There’s always something else to do.
There must be one thing you can try.
There’s always something else to do . . .”The only way we can inspire is to grow our community – would you please share this with family and friends, ask that they subscribe to Charge Up, and follow us on social media?
✏ Leadership, 80s-Hits Style: Part 1
A REAL LEADER FACES THE MUSIC EVEN WHEN HE DOESN’T LIKE THE TUNE This blog will achieve either one of two things. You’ll either feel nostalgic or confused. As for me, the latter . . . Oh the 80’s! Who can forget the Rubik’s cube, doing the moonwalk, Blockbuster Video, the Walkman and relating to every John Hughes movie ever made. We lived without mobile phones, computers and the internet — and as crazy as it sounds, we survived! The best part of the 80’s? The music. The following is the first half of my take on 18 Top Hits of the 80’s,and how they would apply to leadership today: (1985 – Tears for Fears) “…Welcome to your life The era of entitlement; the myth that all you need is a college degree and a dream to become an entrepreneur with ambitions of quick cash, fast cars, your house featured on Cribs and your very own G6 at the airport. The millennials of today are ready to rule the world now, even if they often lack creativity, ambition and hard work. (1981 – Journey) “…Working hard to get my fill Some things just don’t change, and this is one of them. Roll your sleeves up, put in the work, and pay your dues to earn success. Be patient, set goals and find your purpose. It’s all possible, as long as you “Don’t Stop Believin’” in yourself. And don’t forget to go on and on and on…. (1982 – Queen & David Bowie) “…Pressure pushing down on me The pressures and stress of leadership is not for everyone. Being able to stay on course requires tremendous discipline. Handling pressure is the mark of a good leader, it only comes to those who earn it. Remember: pressure can make a pipe burst, but it can also create a diamond. (1982 – The Clash) “…Should I stay or should I go now? Thanks to LinkedIn, an over-saturated market of recruiters, and instant resume submissions on company websites, we tend to believe the grass is greener on the other side and it will test your loyalty. On the other hand, some people aren’t loyal to you. They are loyal to their needs for you. Once their needs change, so does their loyalty. (1982 – Duran Duran) “…Dark in the city night is a wire For the aspiring leader, this one is for you. Come out of the gate with a relentless pursuit to listen, learn and grow. Develop your skills, earn trust and put in the work to be noticed. Only the strong survive, but you have to be hungry and want it more than the next. Do do do do do do do do dodo dodo… (1989 – Public Enemy) “…Now that you’ve realized the pride’s arrived Social media has created a platform for the masses to create micro revolutions for change. No longer do you need funding, large memberships or specific agendas. With 280 characters, you have the right to speak your mind and challenge traditional thought. (1983 – The Fixx) “…The deception with tact, just what are you trying to say? In our quest to become successful, effective leaders, we begin to notice a pattern based on the harder we work, the bigger the reward. Our self-awareness and ability to identify our strengths allows for us to find our niche and make an impact. Success is made up of the small steps forward, knowing that each will lead us toward our goals. (1981 – Loverboy) “…Everyone’s watching, to see what you will do In the 80’s we were working for the weekend, but these days, we are actually working all weekend just to stay ahead in this faced paced world. Trying to find balance can be a challenge for anyone trying to get ahead, but just put your bandanna on and forge ahead! (1985 – Simple Minds) “…Will you recognize me? What have you done for me lately? That is the battle cry for most companies and people in a leadership position. There is no resting on your laurels or growing stagnant. Constant advancement of skills, ability and contribution are what keep you top-of-mind with upper management. Take a break and you just may be forgotten. Strive to stand out. Go do great things today and make a difference. #chargeup #lessonsinleadership #leadership #flashback #the80s #lead #process #failure #success #moveforward #change #venture #lead #prosper #empower #motivate #inspire #gratitude #integrity #starttoday #ambition #action #journey #destination #passion #spirit RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.With that, it’s time for a little leadership sing-along by Charge Up . . .
There’s no turning back
Even while we sleep
We will find you acting on your best behavior
Turn your back on Mother Nature
Everybody wants to rule the world…”
Everybody wants a thrill
Payin’ anything to roll the dice
Just one more time
Some will win, some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on . . .”
Pressing down on you no man ask for
Under pressure that brings a building down
Splits a family in two
Puts people on streets…”
If I go, there will be trouble
And if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know…”
Steam in the subway earth is afire
Do do do do do do do dodo dododo dodo…”
We got to pump the stuff to make us tough
From the heart
It’s a start, a work of art
To revolutionize make a change nothing’s strange
People, people we are the same
No we’re not the same
‘Cause we don’t know the game
What we need is awareness, we can’t get careless…”
You’ve got a blank face, which irritates
Communicate, pull out your party piece
You see dimensions in two
State your case with black or white
But when one little cross leads to shots, grit your teeth
You run for cover so discreet…”
Everyone’s looking at you, oh
Everyone’s wondering, will you come out tonight
Everyone’s trying to get it right, get it right…”
Call my name or walk on by
Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling
Down, down, down, down…”One thing really does lead to another — make sure you bust a move next week and check out the second half of this post.
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✏ The Firm Handshake
Attention, young adults… Believe it or not, there was a time when you judged a person’s character simply by their handshake. I distinctly remember that while growing up, my father would give me lessons on the proper way to shake someone’s hand. And not just the handshake itself; he would start with how to approach a person when doing so. You walked toward them, extending your hand with a welcoming posture, a smile on your face, and you began your initial comment even before you grip their hand. He probably made me do it 20 times, and it makes me smile just thinking about it. We would practice that for years, little impromptu crash courses to make sure I never lost that skill. When I had the honor to work for him, there were countless times after a meeting when he would comment to me about the other person’s handshake. And, he would trust my opinion as well. If it was firm and they held it for a few seconds while looking you in the directly in the eyes, he believed that was a person you could trust. He said to be cautious of someone with sweaty palms, a weak grip and no eye contact; that they’re probably not to be trusted. I cherish those times now that he is gone. My father was a man of his word; if he shook your hand and said he would do something, come hell or high water, you could count on it. “A handshake is an email you send with your body.” Today, we do business across continents without even so much as a handshake, but rather a screen-to-screen discussion where we are forced to gain as much business knowledge as possible, as well as character of the person on the other end, without any in-person interaction. Sure, there are other signals that we can look for, but give me the choice between a phone call and a face-to-face meeting, and I will ALWAYS choose the latter. There is something about the human connection that strengthens the character of leadership within us all. You can never replace the personal greeting; the initial small talk which leads to future trust. The dialogue that, over time, earns you the right to negotiate, but more importantly, provides you the opportunity to sense verbal and non-verbal cues. To look a person in the eye, have disagreements, share in solutions and celebrate the success of an agreement. And how do you solidify your agreement? Through a handshake. Meeting people face-to-face is critical to be successful. Social media, emails, texts or even a WebEx should never be a replacement for the human connection. If there are costs associated with making one, that is price of doing business. If you want to distinguish yourself from your competitor, form a true, personal relationship with that client. The easiest and most successful way to earn the trust of another person is to sit across a table from them and be yourself. Don’t fake it, be authentic. Don’t pretend to know everything, be humble. And most of all, listen more than you talk. VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER Humbled to lead, #legacy #hero #chargeup #chargeuptoday #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #strongleader #patience #leadershipjourney #resilience #failure #success #moveforward #adversity #areyouready #leadandfollow #mentorship #mentor #venture #lead #prosper #reflect #inspire #empower RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up. All rights reserved. You are free to use portions of this publication, provided the following credit is listed at the bottom: ©2018 Victor Pisano/Charge Up, is a media-based entity that provides intriguing, innovative and distinctive content, engaging its readers with real-world challenges and solutions while embracing obstacles and the value that failure can provide. While that sounds serious, we promise you will both learn AND laugh (and sometimes cry).Contact Charge Up at victor@chargeuptoday.com or visit our website at www.chargeuptoday.com.
– Anthony Finucane
The only way we can inspire is to grow our community – would you please share this with family and friends, ask that they subscribe to Charge Up, and follow us on social media?