lead Archives - Page 10 of 12

► Building a Leader

Is what you’re doing today getting you closer to where you want to be tomorrow? Victor shares the secrets to building a leader, using the “bricks” of experience, responsibility and credibility.

Listen Now

Excited? Inspired? Get our motivational e-news, The Wire, delivered weekly right to your inbox!

Charge Me Up with The Wire!

Know someone else who needs to Charge Up? We invite you to share what you’ve heard!

#action #leadership #leadershiplessons #reflect #inspire #empower #payitforward #chargeup

journey Power Cast Victor Pisano leadership Charge Up

Power Cast is Charge Up’s weekly podcast, hosted by Victor Pisano. You’re invited to tune in and turn it up as Victor talks leadership, real-world style.

POWER CAST IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON

More . . .

✏ 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.”
– Bob Dylan

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:

Sustained a quest to out-think the competition
Accepted the challenge to learn as fast as the world is changing
Found the courage and boldness to embrace something before others

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:

Taking shortcuts to success doesn’t work.
You will never make everybody happy.
The past is the past; it’s time to move on.
The need to accept things you cannot change.
Patience is a necessity.
Lost time cannot be recovered.
Your family should come first.
Certain circumstances, whether good or bad
Other people. (they may eventually change themselves, but you can’t do it for them).
the fact that life is not always fair, and you must deal with that.

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

SUBSCRIBE NOW

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?

©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.

More . . .

► Integrity

It’s the single most important trait for aspiring and seasoned leaders. You either have it or you don’t — but if you do, you have a failsafe guide on the path to growth and success. Integrity – is it in you?

Listen Now

Excited? Inspired? Get our motivational e-news, The Wire, delivered weekly right to your inbox!

Charge Me Up with The Wire!

Know someone else who needs to Charge Up? We invite you to share what you’ve heard!

#action #leadership #leadershiplessons #reflect #inspire #empower #payitforward #chargeup

Power Cast is Charge Up’s weekly podcast, hosted by Victor Pisano. You’re invited to tune in and turn it up as Victor talks leadership, real-world style.

POWER CAST IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON

More . . .

✏ Leadership, 80s-Hits Style: Part 2

Word Up – Everybody Wants to Rule the World

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:

“DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE”

(1988 – Public Enemy)

“…Caught you lookin’ for the same thing
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…”

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.

“ME, MYSELF AND I”

(1989 – De La Soul)

“…Mirror, mirror on the wall
Tell me, mirror, what is wrong?
Can it be my de la clothes
Or is it just my de la song?..”

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.

“WITH OR WITHOUT YOU”

(1987 – U2)

“…Through the storm, we reach the shore
You give it all but I want more
And I’m waiting for you…”

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.

“ROAD TO NOWHERE”

(1985 – Talking Heads)

“…We’re on a road to nowhere
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…”

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.

“BRASS IN POCKET”

(1980 – The Pretenders)

“…Got brass in pocket
Got bottle I’m gonna use it
Intention I feel inventive
Gonna make you, make you, make you notice…”

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.

FOLLOW THE LEADER

(1987 – Eric B. & Rakim)

“…I came to overcome before I’m gone
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 . . .”

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.

LIVIN’ ON A PRAYER

(1986 – Bon Jovi)

“…We’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got
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…”

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!)

I’M ON FIRE

(1984 – Bruce Springsteen)

“…Oh, I’m on fire
Oh, I’m on fire
Oh, I’m on fire

Woo ooh ooh
Woo ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh
Woo ooh ooh
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.

TEMPTED

(1981 – Squeeze)

“…I bought a toothbrush, some toothpaste
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…”

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
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 . . .”

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

SUBSCRIBE NOW

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?

More . . .

► The Myth of Vertical Leadership

Traditional thinking paints leadership as a ladder to be climbed. But is that really the right way to think about it? In this episode, I explore the myth of vertical leadership — and discuss what really does work.

Listen Now

Excited? Inspired? Get our motivational e-news, The Wire, delivered weekly right to your inbox!

Charge Me Up with The Wire!

Know someone else who needs to Charge Up? We invite you to share what you’ve heard!

#action #leadership #leadershiplessons #reflect #inspire #empower #payitforward #chargeup

Power Cast is Charge Up’s weekly podcast, hosted by Victor Pisano. You’re invited to tune in and turn it up as Victor talks leadership, real-world style.

POWER CAST IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON

More . . .

✏ 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.

With that, it’s time for a little leadership sing-along by Charge Up . . .

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:

“EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD”

(1985 – Tears for Fears)

“…Welcome to your life
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…”

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.

“DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’”

(1981 – Journey)

“…Working hard to get my fill
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 . . .”

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….

“UNDER PRESSURE”

(1982 – Queen & David Bowie)

“…Pressure pushing down on me
Pressing down on you no man ask for
Under pressure that brings a building down
Splits a family in two
Puts people on streets…”

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.

“SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO”

(1982 – The Clash)

“…Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go, there will be trouble
And if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know…”

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.

“HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF”

(1982 – Duran Duran)

“…Dark in the city night is a wire
Steam in the subway earth is afire
Do do do do do do do dodo dododo dodo…”

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…

“FIGHT THE POWER”

(1989 – Public Enemy)

“…Now that you’ve realized the pride’s arrived
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…”

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.

“ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER”

(1983 – The Fixx)

“…The deception with tact, just what are you trying to say?
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…”

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.

“WORKING FOR THE WEEKEND”

(1981 – Loverboy)

“…Everyone’s watching, to see what you will do
Everyone’s looking at you, oh
Everyone’s wondering, will you come out tonight
Everyone’s trying to get it right, get it right…”

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!

“DON’T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME”

(1985 – Simple Minds)

“…Will you recognize me?
Call my name or walk on by
Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling
Down, down, down, down…”

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.

One thing really does lead to another — make sure you bust a move next week and check out the second half of this post.

Go do great things today and make a difference.

RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE

SUBSCRIBE NOW

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?

More . . .

► Share the Power of One

Leadership and success aren’t a secret code — they are wisdom that is meant to share. Discover the greatness within yourself, and how to pay that forward, in this episode of the Charge Up Power Cast with Victor Pisano.

Listen Now

Excited? Inspired? Get our motivational e-news, The Wire, delivered weekly right to your inbox!

Charge Me Up with The Wire!

Know someone else who needs to Charge Up? We invite you to share what you’ve heard!

#action #leadership #leadershiplessons #reflect #inspire #empower #payitforward #chargeup

Power Cast is Charge Up’s weekly podcast, hosted by Victor Pisano. You’re invited to tune in and turn it up as Victor talks leadership, real-world style.

POWER CAST IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON

More . . .

✏ 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.”
– Anthony Finucane

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

SUBSCRIBE NOW

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?

More . . .

► You Can’t Hack Leadership

Looking for a shortcut to leadership, like one of those handy little “life hacks”? There’s good news and bad news. The bad news is, there is no way to hack leadership. So what’s the good news? You won’t be making the journey alone. Tune in now as Victor breaks down exactly what it DOES take to become a leader.

Listen Now

Excited? Inspired? Get our motivational e-news, The Wire, delivered weekly right to your inbox!

Charge Me Up with The Wire!

Know someone else who needs to Charge Up? We invite you to share what you’ve heard!

#action #leadership #leadershiplessons #reflect #inspire #empower #payitforward #chargeup

Power Cast is Charge Up’s weekly podcast, hosted by Victor Pisano. You’re invited to tune in and turn it up as Victor talks leadership, real-world style.

More . . .

✏ Six-Figure Leadership

Amazing how a headline can catch you, right? Unfortunately, this blog isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme; in fact, it’s quite the opposite. If you’re in the game to lead, it’s a long one. Unfortunately, time is not on our side right now. We are facing serious leadership talent gaps. There simply aren’t enough effective and experienced leaders out there to keep up with the innovation and growth of the business sector. The concern is that we are too slow in our actions to proactively address the need to foster leadership from within our organizations. Why do this matter so much?

Leadership is the key to maintaining a competitive edge; it is a critical component of creativity, organizational development and productivity.

Senior leadership does not devote enough attention to build and empower leaders. Many current leaders lack the skill to build and sustain a healthy corporate culture because they are underqualified. If not addressed, these statistics will pose a threat to the future of leadership and success in business. And without a solid foundation of leadership, we are setting ourselves up to fail.

“As we look ahead into the next century,
leaders will be those who empower others.”
– Bill Gates

So let’s look at those six-figures I referenced earlier — a half-dozen statistics that aspiring leaders need to understand as they advance in their careers.

36% of organizations say their leadership development practices are still below average or poor, as surveyed in Brandon Hall Group’s State of Leadership Development Study (https://trainingmag.com/study-shows-leadership-development-rated-below-average-or-poor-more-one-third-organizations)
43% of those asked the question, “What phrase best describes your current leadership development programs?” answered either “inconsistent” (31%) – good in parts, but requiring significant improvement in some areas, and “underperforming” (12%) – basic and requiring significant improvement, according to the Harvard Business “The State of Leadership Development” Research Report (2016), (https://www.harvardbusiness.org/sites/default/files/19770_CL_StateOfLeadership_Report_July2016.pdf)
In 2014, the Washington Post verified that approximately 10,000 baby boomers were retiring every day; that equates to 4 million baby boomers retiring per year, and it is already proving to have a massive impact on organizations. One serious challenge that businesses are facing today because of the mass boomer exodus is a decay of organizational knowledge. (https://www.washingtonpost.com.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2014/07/24/d0-10000-baby-boomers-retire-every-day/?utm_term.478836e156f)
60% of employees don’t understand their organization’s goals. Most managers and executives work hard, but hard work isn’t the same as leading the way. Harvard Business Review, McKinsey and Gallup all cite how managers spend their time as the root cause of these terrible employee statistics – too much time spent on low-level tasks such as getting and reporting facts, and not enough spent on communicating goals, holding people accountable, and providing coaching and feedback. (https://www.workboard.com/blog/leadership-leap-year.php)
84% of organizations anticipate a shortfall of leaders in the next 5 years. This may be a result of another statistic contained within the Hall Study that says 91% of millennials plan to stay at their current job for fewer than 3 years, according to Brandon Hall’s “State of Leadership Development 2015: Time to Act is Now (https://www.harvardbusiness.org/sites/default/files/19770_CL_StateOfLeadership_Report_July2016.pdf)
Let’s stick with millennials: 63% of millennials feel their leadership skills are not being fully developed by their employers. Meeting millennial learning needs with your training programs will not only help to develop and build your internal leadership pipeline; it will also help to increase millennial engagement and retention for the future. (https://blog.elucidat.com/5-stats-corporate-leadership/) (https://www.hrpa.ca/Documents/Public/Thought-Leadership/HRPOA-Millennials)

Implementation systems take time to develop.
We need to start now to ensure we are
properly preparing for future leaders.

Most companies feel as if they have sufficient training programs, but it stops there. There are no developmental procedures in place to follow and train as these leaders expand in tenure. If we know that our employees are going to learn from experience, mentorship and coaching, why don’t we apply the same principle to leadership?

Are organizations empowering their employees to feel confident that developmental opportunities are within to promote a high-trust, transparent environment where people do want to advance? Have potential leaders been identified? Are there succession plans for critical roles? What does the road map look like for future leaders and what do they need to accomplish to get there? One company I know has such a proactive culture of growth and promotion that if they are in a role overseeing a department for more than 2 years without moving up, that is a red flag.

Implementation systems that set set future leaders up for success take time to develop. It’s vital that we start today to ensure we are properly preparing for tomorrow’s leaders.

“Connect the dots between individual roles,
and the goals of the organization.
When people see that connection, they get a lot of energy out of work.
They feel the importance, dignity, and meaning in their job.”
– Ken Blanchard

Humbled to lead,

#chargeup #chargeuptoday #lessonsinleadership #payitforward #leadership #lead #process #strongleader #patience #leadershipjourney #resilience #failure #success #moveforward #areyouready #leadandfollow #sixfigures #millennials #seniorleadership #stateofleadership

RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE

SUBSCRIBE NOW

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?

More . . .

► Legacy

A legacy doesn’t happen by accident. How will you make you mark and leave the world a better place than you found it? In this episode of Power Cast, Victor helps guide you through what it takes to create a lasting impact that you can be proud of — and it starts right now.

Listen Now

Excited? Inspired? Get our motivational e-news, The Wire, delivered weekly right to your inbox!

Charge Me Up with The Wire!

Know someone else who needs to Charge Up? We invite you to share what you’ve heard!

#action #leadership #leadershiplessons #reflect #inspire #empower #payitforward #chargeup

Power Cast is Charge Up’s weekly podcast, hosted by Victor Pisano. You’re invited to tune in and turn it up as Victor talks leadership, real-world style.

More . . .

✏ Some People Have a Problem for Every Solution

Remember when negativity was only reserved for certain math concepts or when talking about the temperatures in Alaska? How times have changed . . .

People are bombarded by negativity all over social media, rather than all the good around them. As a result, they become obsessed with negativity. Instead of trying to find balance in our lives, stress and a growing sense of entitlement have given us the authority to be an “expert” on everything, and an unquenchable need to voice our positions from behind a keyboard.

We have lost sight of gratitude.

“Negative people need drama like oxygen.
Stay positive; it will take their breath away.”
– MJ Korvan

Think of it this way: our mind can only think one thought at a time, so changing the negative into a positive eliminates the negative. If we focus on the positive, we have the ability to be more creative, productive, engaging and respected. Practice this every day, and the results will be incredibly rewarding.

What about negative people? You’re either a part of the problem or the solution. If all you do is complain and have a negative aura about you, eventually you will notice that the only people who listen to you anymore are those that enjoy complaining too. You have a choice, either continue complaining or show the courage to do something about it. Be the change, apply the energy you spend being negative toward something constructive.

“Some People Really Suck — AVOID THEM!”

Here are 5 things you can practice daily to change the negative into a positive:

Gratitude Journal: Start each day off immediately after you wake up and write five things that you are grateful for before you start your day. The key is, don’t just write it — keep it in your head and reference it when a negative situation presents itself. You can even write it on an index card and carry it with you as a reminder. Don’t let the negative win.
Be Mindful in the Moment: Learn your triggers, whether it is certain situations or particular people. Develop an internal plan to counter the situation and not fall into the trap of engaging in nonconstructive dialogue. Begin to become mindful of the moment, and don’t feed into the drama. It’s not about having to always be positive, but rather disassociating yourself with the constant negativity around you.
Stop Dwelling: Negativity is no different than any other skill we possess. If you practice negativity, anger and resentment every day, eventually, you will become very good at it and it will become a habit. Look around you — from the newspaper headlines, cable news reports, social media and the water cooler — it seems as if everybody has a bone to pick. It’s time to let it go. Practice constructive thinking and put things into perspective.
Pay it Forward: The quickest way to change your perspective from negative to positive is to simply do something for somebody else. If you can do an act of kindness for someone else, you can’t help but feel optimistic. It’s a win-win situation.
Surround yourself with Positive People: According to Tim Ferriss, one of my favorite authors and speakers, “You are the average of the five people you most associate with.” Take a moment and do an assessment of who that would be in your life. It is critical to understand that these people will have an impact on your mindset, whether positive or negative. With that in mind, make your choices carefully.

Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Life is too short — focus on doing the right thing and make a POSITIVE impact on somebody today!

VENTURE + LEAD + PROSPER

Humbled to lead,

RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE

SUBSCRIBE NOW

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?

More . . .

► Failure

Feelings on this topic can be as stark as the title of this week’s new podcast. But even though it’s a difficult subject, failure is not nearly as bad as it seems at first glance. Join Victor as he analyzes some of the surprising benefits of failure, and how you can best learn from your mistakes.

Listen Now

Excited? Inspired? Get our motivational e-news, The Wire, delivered weekly right to your inbox!

Charge Me Up with The Wire!

Know someone else who needs to Charge Up? We invite you to share what you’ve heard!

#action #leadership #leadershiplessons #reflect #inspire #empower #payitforward #chargeup

Power Cast is Charge Up’s weekly podcast, hosted by Victor Pisano. You’re invited to tune in and turn it up as Victor talks leadership, real-world style.

More . . .

✏ The Culture of Empowerment

em·pow·er

əmˈpou(ə)r/

verb

– Give (someone) the authority or power to do something

– Make (someone) stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights

What is your Friday routine like at the office? If it’s like most companies, production and creativity are most likely subject to distraction by the fifty-two-free mini-vacations called “weekends”. C’mon . . .TGIF! But let’s focus on one company. Here, every Friday includes a weekly, scheduled, all-hands meeting that can last a couple of hours — where employees ask questions directly to the company’s top leaders and other executives about any number of company issues. It bears no resemblance to your standard conference call: it has no set agenda, it isn’t a monologue and the staff looks forward to it. At this point, you are most likely picturing some new, upstart small company, or at most a mid-sized corporation. And if you think in terms of production, the thought of wasting two hours on a call based on Q&A seems counterproductive. So, who in their right mind would operate this way?

If you guessed Google, you are correct. According to Larry Page, CEO and Co-Founder of Google, “It’s important that the company be a family, that people feel that they’re part of the company and that the company is like a family to them. When you treat people that way, you get better productivity.” You know what the result is for this type of corporate culture? Success.

First, let’s talk about “corporate culture”, which has become an overused buzzword with companies over the last decade. Corporate culture is all about the beliefs and behaviors that determine how a company’s employees and management interact and execute business. Often, corporate culture is implied, not necessarily defined, and will develop organically over time from the cumulative traits of senior leadership and key staff. Too many start-ups talk about their corporate culture when in fact developing a culture takes years, consistent leadership, successful growth and key contributors within who buy-in to your long-term goals.

Now, let’s discuss empowerment. First and foremost, I believe that true empowerment is essential to a company’s advancement of their corporate culture. In other words, you can’t have one without the other. Empowerment does not happen by accident — that’s why I refer to it as “the culture of empowerment”. Empowerment is a developed core value, exhibited within a company’s mission statement and a critical training component at all levels. It is the ongoing process of providing the tools, training, resources, encouragement and motivation your employees need to perform at an optimum level. Empowerment is the equivalent to trained creative freedom. Empowering your employees is trust. If you can’t trust them to make decisions on their own, then why are they in that position? Empowerment allows a team member to feel part of something bigger, where they can make a direct contribution each day. The consequences of successful empowerment lead to numerous benefits that have an impact on the bottom line. People feel valued, they develop a sense of pride and ownership in their work, and they are loyal and committed. Not only does it occur internally, but it will manifest itself externally to your clients, with the outcome a higher degree of customer loyalty.

Seems simple, right – a culture of empowerment? The challenge for some leaders is that they confuse empowerment with delegation. If you are assigning mundane tasks without consistent and energetic dialogue that provides direction, and clearly defined benchmarks to discuss progress, you are not empowering your employee. Empowerment requires you to become a mentor in the process of growth and development. It is your job as a leader within your organization to pay it forward, work toward identifying the right people to think outside their comfort zone and make decisions. There are key team members amongst us that simply lack inspiration, by no fault of their own. Those who thrive on challenge and are looking to discover their strengths are desperate for mentorship.

If we are going to preach patience as a virtue in the development of the leadership process, then we must take accountability in that journey and do these five things:

1) Take careful consideration in who you mentor; it is critical in the process that you empower the right people.

2) Provide them with every resource necessary to act independently in decision-making.

3) Create an environment that inspires growth/development that will motivate employees to want to contribute.

5) Trust your team and empower them to make decisions.

If you are looking for long-term success, you cannot continue to rely upon only your ideas, methodology and execution. To win in the long term, you must execute the culture of empowerment for those who work around you.

Humbled to lead,

#chargeup #chargeuptoday #lessonsinleadership #leadership #lead #process #strongleader #patience #leadershipjourney #resilience #failure #success #moveforward #adversity #areyouready #leadandfollow #mentorship #mentor #venture #lead #prosper #reflect #inspire #empower #buildforsuccess

RECEIVE MY FREE WEEKLY E-BLAST, THE WIRE

SUBSCRIBE NOW

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?

More . . .

► Find a Way, or Make One

In marching elephants through the “impassible” Alps, Gen. Hannibal Barca made a move that no one expected. It’s a history lesson for present day — true leaders take action outside their comfort zone, and tackle what others are too fearful to risk. In this episode of the Charge Up Power Cast, Victor explains why there should be no barriers, no excuses — and why no idea is too crazy.

Listen Now

Excited? Inspired? Get our motivational e-news, The Wire, delivered weekly right to your inbox!

Charge Me Up with The Wire!

Know someone else who needs to Charge Up? We invite you to share what you’ve heard!

#action #leadership #leadershiplessons #reflect #inspire #empower #payitforward #chargeup

Power Cast is Charge Up’s weekly podcast, hosted by Victor Pisano. You’re invited to tune in and turn it up as Victor talks leadership, real-world style.

More . . .

Listen Now

POWER CAST IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON

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?

Listen Now

POWER CAST IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON

Word Up – Everybody Wants to Rule the World

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?

Listen Now

POWER CAST IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON

With that, it’s time for a little leadership sing-along by Charge Up . . .

One thing really does lead to another — make sure you bust a move next week and check out the second half of this post.

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?

Listen Now

POWER CAST IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON

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?

Listen Now

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?

Listen Now

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?

Listen Now

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?

Listen Now

Recent Posts