✏ Attention, Future Leaders

Have you ever caught yourself saying, “if I only knew then what I know now…”?

What if you could do something about it?

If you are a parent, grandparent, coach, teacher or friend and you recognize certain leadership traits in a child, you have an opportunity to do three simple things right now:

ENCOURAGE, SUPPORT & TEACH

All of us have the potential to lead. There is no certain age that defines when we can begin our quest to gain the skills and competencies necessary to start the journey. By reaching out to adolescents who feel the gift of leadership inside them, you have the ability to become their first mentor — because most simply don’t know how to act upon it.

“Our children are only as brilliant as we allow them to be.”

– Eric Micha’el Leventhal

When you see the unwavering passion and belief that anything is possible from a child, and they communicate excitement and vision as they discover and learn more, be humbled and accept the responsibility to steer them in the right direction.

It’s teaching them that leadership is simply when one feels compelled to achieve things by being courageous and bold. What an amazing role you can play by encouraging them to step out of their comfort zone and discover all life has to offer.

Good habits formed during youth make all the difference.

The world needs a new set of eyes, a big heart and an open mind filled with endless possibilities for the next generation to be the greatest that ever lived. 

“The youth are the hope of our future.”

– Jose Rizal

How can you help a child discover their potential?

  1. Be the Example – Display the traits necessary to be a successful leader in everything you do. You have the capability to play a key role in the development of their potential.  Show them what’s really important in life and not to sweat the small stuff.
  1. Show Them How to Succeed – Whether through simple exercises of goal setting, or working through a challenge, provide them the chance to witness and feel the thrill of being successful.
  1. Allow Creative Thought – Encourage them to create their own path to solutions without persuasion, even if you know they may fail. Simply encourage their passion and self-esteem and show them failing isn’t the end of the world.
  1. Emphasize the Importance of Character and Integrity – Show them the importance of never wavering on their core principles or sacrificing the right thing for the easy solution. These lessons will last a lifetime and earn them respect from the beginning.
  1. Teach Them the Importance of Teamwork –Help them understand the importance of working with others, being respectful, encouraging those around them and being a good listener.
  1. Help Them Understand How to be Bold and Courageous –It’s the willingness to step outside of their comfort zone to be innovative and create new solutions. Reward them for going beyond the norm in their thought process. Help them discover leaders who were doubted at first, but then lauded for being pioneers. Show them anything is possible.
  1. Encourage Them to Be Involved in Their Community – Help them research to find a cause or a non-profit that excites them. This will shape not only their mind, but their hearts, as well.
  1. Find Other Mentors – Don’t just stop at what you can contribute, reach out to others that may share the same interests as your future leader. The more people they are able to interact with, the better they become at communication skills and learning. I am confident that if you reached out to a friend and asked for help, they would be humbled.
  1. Read, read and read some more – The importance of reading is critical for one to understand what knowledge can provide them, along with the creativity, and critical thinking, that will unlock the door of endless possibilities.
  1. Teach Gratitude – We all need to be reminded of the importance of being grateful and that there is so much good in the world. Do not allow them to become distracted by the enemy, which is negativity. Remind them each day of the gifts they possess.

Go do big things today and make a difference . . .

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

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©2019 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: ©2019 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.

Victor Pisano✏ Attention, Future Leaders
More . . .

✏ Always Getting Ready to be Ready

To-do list –

Weekly Calendar –

Appointment Schedule –

Goals for the week –

Everything seems to be in order, and I am prepared to tackle the week ahead. I’ve put the time in to ensure I am organized and efficient. My lists are specific and ranked by priority; this is going to be a great week.

Wait, let me change my To-Do List to add deadline dates. I should probably add in more time for traffic on my appointment schedule. Are five goals too many for the week? Maybe I should list three? Oh, and I’m going to add my personal commitments to my weekly calendar.

SOUND FAMILIAR?

“Focus on being productive instead of busy.”

– Tim Ferriss

Too often we focus so much on the preparation that we waste precious time that could be devoted to attacking the tasks and being productive in a much more simplified manner. In other words, getting organized has made us less productive. We are always getting ready to get ready.

There are hundreds of planners on the market today that are designed and marketed to make our lives more efficient so we can accomplish more.  They have an area for our projects, our goals, a quote to motivate us, habit tracking, a journal, wins for the week, lessons learned for the week, milestones, gratitude lists, and even online support! Do you really need or use those areas? Are you using the kind of planner that works for you?

I SPENT THREE DAYS GETTING READY FOR THE WEEK!?!

My weekly preparation begins each Sunday evening, a ritual I’ve had for years. First, I prepare my calendar for the week. I look at the meetings planned, and on a notepad, write down exactly what I need to prepare for each meeting at least a day in advance.

I add any weekly reports and note any requirements that may necessitate time and outside resources from other departments. At this point, I list the items that I would like to accomplish, by priority, in a simple list. I combine my list to the notes and just like that, and I have a master project agenda. It takes about 30-45 minutes, but when I start my week on Monday, I begin with confidence and a plan.

In some cases, if I require resources to aid me in preparation, I send those emails out to various departments on Sunday evening outlining my specific needs and the ideal date to receive them.

However, I still see others in their “planners” constantly tweaking this and that and trying to make it something it isn’t. They don’t need the habit-tracking section, so they write notes in that area. The lessons learned for the week – not a chance: phone numbers and addresses fill that box.  They spend $100 on a planner that doesn’t serve a purpose!

Does your system work for you, or are you working for it? Could it be better? If so, how? You have the ability to create your own planner that fits your needs.

“Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door.”

– Coco Chanel

We all have our systems, don’t let the lure of a custom leather binder with the promise of helping you optimize your day and making you happier detour you from what already works. Preparation and planning should be a simple process.

It should only require a pencil and paper. Once you feel comfortable with it, type it, print it and put it to use.

I have a separate journal I utilize, but that is not a part of my actual project agenda each week. That journal is for me to write my thoughts, ideas for self-improvement, personal goals and ambitions as well as my gratitude list. I feel much more comfortable separating the two.

My point is, don’t complicate something that is rather simple. You have the knowledge and capability to design a roadmap for your efficiencies and effectiveness. Overcomplicating it merely leads to wasting time and . . .

Time is the most valuable resource you have!

NOW, I’M READY!

 

Do great things today and make a difference.

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

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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?

©2019 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: ©2019 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.

Victor Pisano✏ Always Getting Ready to be Ready
More . . .

✏ Take Action Now

Today is the day you take a step forward. No more “letting” things happen in your life . . . it’s time to take control and MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. Take control of your future and let today be the day you begin your courageous effort to lead!

LIFE IS WAITING TO BEGIN!

Passivity is the enemy . . .

Personal change is an active process. Take the first steps now to act and be bold.

Let’s get all of the excuses out there. If you need to, make a list. Write down every excuse that you can think of. We tend to always focus on why we “can’t”, so this shouldn’t be too challenging.

  • I’ve got too much on my plate right now
  • It’s not the right time
  • I’m not ready for change
  • I’m afraid of what I might be getting myself into
  • I don’t think I will be successful

All done? Now, it’s time to change your mindset. Ask yourself one simple question:

IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

Today is the day that you have the clarity and courage to listen to that inner voice that wants to break out of its shell, to change your mentality from a follower to a leader. Build the confidence to overcome that self-doubt. Develop a “no barriers” mindset and face your fears head-on.  It only takes one step forward to begin.

Here are the 5 things you are going to do today to prepare for action:

  1. Write down your action plan, and include your “why” and purpose.

Writing down what you are going to do versus just saying it is the game changer. The next step is put those words into actionable phrases. How are you going to reach the objectives you identify, step by step? NOTE: This can only be done once you establish your “why” and your “purpose”.

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

 

  1. Find somebody to hold you accountable.

Find a mentor! Find somebody who believes in you as much, if not more, than you do in yourself. Success cannot be obtained without the willingness of others to contribute their passion, and empower others to feel inspired and motivated to be the best they can.

Where do you find a mentor? If they aren’t right in front of you, then do your research and find the person who is where you want to be. Thanks to social media, most of us have a friend, or friend of a friend, who can make the introduction and get the process started. The process is up to you.  If you are willing to do the work, and have the passion to drive you, your mentor will be the difference in building yourself in an efficient and successful manner.

There is a catch here. If you find that person and you get the motivation and inspiration you need, it is your responsibility to pay it forward!

 

  1. Set realistic goals and establish a workable timeframe for each.

Now that you have an action plan and you understand and believe in your “why” and purpose statements, the next step is to set realistic goals for yourself and establish a timeframe for each. For example, based on the profession you are in, what skills do you need to sharpen to be at the top of your game? Do you understand the value proposition (what specific benefits you offer that bring value) for your product and company? Do you have a firm grip on the competitive landscape?

Answer these questions and begin to establish each of your goals. Research, read, and navigate the influential thought leaders in your profession (people whose opinions are valued). Via social media, talk with your mentor(s) and/or expand your knowledge of the market.To the right of the column with your goals, put a firm deadline to hold yourself accountable on achieving each and hold to it. Don’t give up, stay the course.

 

  1. Align your values with your actions.

Make sure that your core foundation is built upon integrity, character, courage, inspiration and gratitude. If you are built in this fashion, then your actions will reflect it in everything you do. These are the traits that define the best leaders, because they consistently show others their belief in them, and in turn, empower them to succeed.

Without values, your leadership will be meaningless. It will be hollow, uneventful and even worse, those whom you lead will gain nothing from you.

 

  1. Spend more time developing YOU.

Most important, don’t ever stop developing you. Success is a journey, not a destination. Your advancement is also a journey; there is no end. The most important investment you can make in your success is in YOU. 

Self-development means creating successful habits, employing patience, growing your professional circle and building your confidence every day.

 

Inspire action by painting a vision of what success looks like to you. Let this be your alarm clock to tell you it’s time to wake up and change the world. Become a visionary and eliminate passivity as an excuse. The world is yours — make a difference!

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

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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?

©2019 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: ©2019 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.

Victor Pisano✏ Take Action Now
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✏ A Little Optimism Goes a Long Way

As an author, speaker and person who consistently engages me in critical thought, Simon Sinek is one of the best in the business in teaching the concepts of leadership. This has always been one of my favorite quotes, so I have decided to use it as a springboard for the subject of optimism.

“ALL GREAT LEADERS ARE OPTIMISTS.
TO INSPIRE NECESSARILY REQUIRES A POSITIVE OUTLOOK.”

– Simon Sinek

There will always be the pessimist leader, which should be balanced within leadership. In large groups, a pessimist may not be a bad role to play — I like to refer to it as the “devil’s advocate“. Every organization needs to have someone on board saying, “What if XYZ happens?” And you definitely need to have a plan in place. But after time, that personality can disrupt progress if they are not willing to adapt and learn to celebrate successes, large and small, at the right times.

However, when leading a team, a pessimist has the ability to destroy the self-esteem of a great employee if given the authority to do so without a systems of checks and balances. In other words, I am directly referring to what I call the “90/10 Leader” – they dwell on the 10% of improvement needs rather than build upon the 90% of achievement and personal growth of the respective individual they manage.

I believe it is important at this point to clearly define my position on “optimism” in this “90/10 Leader”, so as to not confuse the reader. I am not a fan of entitlement. I do not believe everyone deserves a trophy. I am a realist and understand that it is not the job of the leader to line the road with roses each morning as their team walks out of the house. I believe respect is earned over time through a clearly laid-out process of consistently communicated expectations. Anyone striving for success must have thick skin, humility, accountability and a willingness to be vulnerable. But I am also passionate about a single attribute that I believe every great leader should have a firm grip on as a leader:

C-O-N-N-E-C-T-I-O-N

This is the foundation for the 90% in my equation. In other words, if you want to lead both effectively and efficiently, you must learn to connect with those you have the privilege to teach. That means get to know your people on an individual level and find out what drives them. Learn what their talents are and respect their boundaries. Lead with both intent and respect. You don’t have to be best friends with those under your lead — but times have changed — you do need to have a personal relationship with them to build a successful culture that is established upon a foundation of pride and accountability. Earn somebody’s trust and respect by being fair and open-minded to constructive feedback and be prepared to reap the rewards as a leader. Do it consistently and you earn the ultimate respect by being labeled as a mentor. Carry a mental black book to journal the meaningless errors in an effort to hold something over their head and you only lose ground in the effort to earn trust.

For the leader too selfish to understand, allow me to use the words of the great author, L. Frank Baum, from the iconic scene from the 1939 classic, “The Wizard of Oz”, where Dorothy says…

“Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”

In other words, your style of management is no longer effective. Times have changed, and the ability to develop a culture of trust is critical to sustain success. If you’ve become so fixated in a quest to discover – and even reach for – the minute details, that in essence have no direct correlation or impact on the outcome, and feel the need (usually as a result of being an authoritative leader) to make note of the situation and hold it close to the vest to use at a later date to remind others that they will never achieve the level of power you possess, you are a barrier not only to effective leadership, but inspiring others to grow and eventually lead. Worse, you lose talented people and your company suffers.

There is a correlation between this leadership style and a fixed mindset, as well. This leader is usually less receptive to constructive feedback, does not have an open mind, prevents dialogue for the production of thinking outside the box and tends to be very set in their ways. Bottom line, without effective senior leadership guiding their team, good luck getting this gem to change.

The result is great people leaving good companies that could become great companies. They have the ability to be the difference makers. They have the courage to act with pride, take an initiative and run with it, represent the company’s objectives and mission and work beyond expectation to exceed expectations. However, the fear of autonomy and retaliation prevent them from achieving even their own expectations because they are always on the defensive for the 10% to come up at any moment.

Don’t ever allow your pride and ego to overshadow the accomplishment of those under your leadership. It’s not about you. A great leader understands those words and cherishes the success of others.

As cliché as it sounds, it always holds true:

PEOPLE DON’T LEAVE COMPANIES; THEY LEAVE BAD MANAGEMENT.

 

Go do great things today and make a difference.

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

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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?

©2019 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: ©2019 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.

Victor Pisano✏ A Little Optimism Goes a Long Way
More . . .

✏ Demise of a Leader

When you make an investment in the stock market, you spend years sacrificing through a disciplined, motivated mindset, sticking to a well-thought out plan to achieve long-term success. You clearly see the big-picture and you’re committed to reaching the end-goal.

It’s no different when you are pursuing an effective and successful leadership role. The same descriptions apply – patience, trust and guidance. The difference is, you’re investing in yourself.

Leadership is not an easy path. Your investment is a never-ending quest to learn new competencies, expand your skills, increase your knowledge and step out of your comfort zone knowing you could expose your vulnerabilities.

However, it also reveals an unseen side of us that shows just how bold and courageous we are willing to be. Leadership is never given, it is earned. Over time and experience, the achievement comes with great respect and admiration if done right.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts

– Winston S. Churchill

As quickly as we can rise through the company ranks, a fall can occur just as suddenly, with a solid impact. The grind can be too much, and we lose the desire, passion, motivation and most of all, patience. We become frustrated with the system and are overcome with a sense of entitlement that is not being matched by the company we work for.

We either throw in the towel and quit, or we simply burnout and fade away. As a result, the net loss results in what ultimately can destroy a leader.

The demise is evident through the following actions:

LOSING FOCUS AND VISION

We become lazy in our thought process and stop thinking analytically and critically in each challenge presented to us. Not only are we unable to adequately communicate the big picture, there is a lack of confidence in how the execution will occur. As a result, the plan of action becomes very sloppy and unorganized.

DELEGATING WITHOUT COACHING

We were hired as a result of our ability to teach others from the experience we’ve gained along the way. Once confident in our team, we delegate through coaching them through the process. Now, we simply delegate without direction or follow up, putting those we lead in a position to fail.

ABANDONING INTEGRITY

With the loss of vision comes a loss of patience. The result will be shortcuts at the expense of the company and its core values. What has taken years to build can easily be destroyed by the poor decisions of one individual.

MAKING EMOTIONAL DECISIONS

No longer thinking through critical situations, decisions are being made based on emotional feelings as opposed to facts, cross-functional discussions and input from the team. The traits of experience and skill sets are not utilized any longer; only snap judgement remains.

QUIT EMPOWERING OTHERS

One of the most critical elements of being an effective leader fades away as a result of feeling unappreciated for your contributions to the success of the company. However, you are not just failing yourself at this point, but those who have entrusted you with their future.

LOSING HUMILITY

The excuses and blame begin to become a common theme under your leadership. Instead of protecting your team and earning trust and respect, you now begin the regrettable action of blaming your team for functions that you are ultimately responsible for.

LOSING GRATITUDE

You no longer see the positive in anything you do, or set the example in your actions. Your appreciation for the process, journey and team effort has been replaced with selfishness and anger. Your rhetoric turns from “we” to “I”.

RESISTING CHANGE

A leader’s greatest strength is to adapt. Change is inevitable and if you are not prepared, you put the entire company and your staff at risk. Your vulnerabilities will be exposed, your ability to be PROactive will turn into being REactive and the overall plan of action will be at risk.

Hopefully you have already earned the respect of senior leadership, as well as your team, and they have made you aware of the “new you”.  Don’t make any drastic moves yet — you still have time to salvage the situation.

Swallow your ego, put your boots back on and redirect your frustration.  Put that energy into the three P’s to get past through this: passion, persistence and patience.  You have worked this hard and made it this far, don’t give up.

Go back and evaluate why you began this adventure in the first place and rediscover your passion. If you made it this far, it was because you were persistent.  Keep up the good fight and get back on that horse. Most important, be patient. Good things come to those who wait. Success will happen, don’t let your perception of time cloud proper protocol.

We all have bad days, but as long as the good outweigh the bad, you’re still in a position to succeed.  Too often, people quit before success is about to occur, and then they will live with regret. In the words of Winston Churchill, “keep bugging on!”

Leadership is a privilege.

Go do great things today and make a difference.

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

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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?

©2019 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: ©2019 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.

Victor Pisano✏ Demise of a Leader
More . . .

✏ Be a Patient of Patience

Think about the time it takes for the sun to rise every morning. It’s not as if a switch goes off and we go from dark to light. There is a special beauty and appreciation for night approaching dawn, it is an amazing spectacle. It reminds us that time is moving forward and that change is inevitable.

Did you know that It takes an average of 7-8 hours from sunrise until the sun reaches its highest point of the day?

Just like the path of the sun, leadership is no different. You have to be patient, acknowledge and appreciate the rise, trust the process and not expect instant gratification. With leadership, you must set realistic and timely goals, listen, listen, listen and listen more, and never cease learning. Just like the sun will reach its peak in time, so will your efforts and experience in becoming a leader.

Success is about endurance. That endurance is the inspiration to work harder each day and commit yourself to the journey. You will acquire the skill sets if you have the right mentor, put in the critical hours each day with the right attitude and mindset, learn to work with a team, and contribute and work on your own time to improve yourself and grow as a professional. You must be willing to sacrifice the short game.

The road to leadership is long; what are you willing to invest if you want the outcome to be success? Do you realize how many other people want it just as much as you? Leadership is an internal quality, not an external one. You must first learn to lead from within if you have any desire to grow. Being patient will provide you the time to find your passion through the process of doing. You will invest in yourself to build the confidence necessary to have others not simply follow you, but rather to join you out of respect and trust — two traits that are earned with time and experience.

The challenge will be to give without expectation. That’s where sacrifice comes in. Are you willing to give without any guarantee of success? If so, what you will find is that your persistence and courage will make an impact. Your commitment and passion will serve as your compass.  Your loyalty and contribution will be rewarded.

The majority of successful leaders are not able to tell you about “the moment” they became a leader, however, they will tell you about the journey and sacrifice it took to become one. That is the beauty of leadership — you must trust the process and be willing to invest day in and day out. The rewards of patience will far outweigh the time it took to get there.  Enjoy the journey . . .

“At the moment that everything goes dark, the sunset in front of us becomes the whole story. But if we find courage enough to wait until tomorrow morning, we will suddenly come to understand that in reality yesterday’s sunset was only half the of the story.”

– Carig D. Lounsbrough

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

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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?

©2019 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: ©2019 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.

Victor Pisano✏ Be a Patient of Patience
More . . .

✏ Lead by Permission

Leadership is a privilege. Successful leaders view their role as an honor given to them by their employees, and their employees want to work for them because they’re great leaders — not because they are in a position of authority. The most common reason we follow a leader is because of who they are; they are the ones who have inspired or empowered us, they have a sense of purpose – and it’s our sense of purpose that keeps us solid. They have been given “permission to lead” and they take that responsibility very seriously. It is that atmosphere of collaboration and continuity that drives the team to success. To not allow ego into the equation takes a tremendous amount of humility and self-confidence. Outstanding leaders know that their integrity, character and passion will define their legacy and earn them respect.

Here are a few principles that define those that “Lead by Permission”:

  • Be a leader, not a boss
  • They have a humble disposition, they don’t ever believe that success is inevitable
  • They solicit feedback knowing it will make them better
  • They encourage the team to take initiative and collaborate
  • They celebrate others’ accomplishments over their own
  • They practice patience, have self-control and have more gratitude than most
  • They have clear perspective
  • They are self-aware, they look at the whole picture and both sides of the issue
  • They are empathetic
  • They boost productivity by delivering an honest message that brings the team together to accomplish a common objective
  • They are committed to creating an environment where people love to work
  • They have a desire to play a key role in empowering others and trust them to make decisions
  • They know how to diffuse difficult situations with grace and empathy
  • They listen more, and listen without interruption, objections, or defensiveness
  • They are clear with their expectations
  • They consistently solicit the sound advice and wisdom of others

 

The decision on how to lead is entirely up to you. Finding the balance between achieving your goals and creating a positive environment of integrity, character and collaborative effort can mean the difference in success or futility. Understanding that you won’t reach the summit without a team of experts is critical when determining why you need to be a leader, and not a boss.

Be humbled to lead . . .

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

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Victor Pisano✏ Lead by Permission
More . . .

✏ This Is Not a Drill

Leadership isn’t always a bed of roses.

There’s another side of leadership that will contribute to how you earn your stripes, and that’s through crisis management. It’s in these situations where everything you’ve worked for — the years you’ve trained and developed your skill sets and empowered those under your guidance — will face the test of adversity.

How will you react?

Like a deer in the headlights? Frightened, confused, no idea where to turn?

That’s not you. 

Many leaders live for this moment: challenge is their oxygen they crave. These are the situations where they will naturally shine and demonstrate not only to the company they represent, but the team they lead, why they carry the responsibility of leadership.

No Pressure? No Diamond.

The first thing effective leaders must do is clear themselves of distraction, assess the situation and gather as many facts as possible. They must first determine the real problem, so they can determine the solution. They must define and identify the resources they will need to find a resolution. Additionally, they will form a cross-functional team to solve the problem and ensure that the solution or compromise will be representative of the way their organization does business.

An effective leader will immediately take the emotion out of the equation and focus on what’s important. They rely upon their “why” to guide them — this is why they are a leader in the first place. During this phase, they are setting the example: staying calm, rational and serving as a liaison between what’s best for the client and for the company. They become the model of effective leadership at its best.

It’s a fine line to find compromise in crisis; however, your confidence, mental skills and experience will lead you — trust that. First and foremost, don’t ever allow your integrity to be comprised. It takes years of hard work to establish the foundation of your character and the company’s reputation. You cannot allow a short-term fix to jeopardize a long-term relationship. You also avoid putting people over profit before customers or employees. There will be certain instances where a net gain is not possible; it’s the cost of doing business.

The constant throughout this process will be communication. The best leaders keep the team apprised of any developments, whether positive or negative. They also bring the team together for discussions, and they listen. They don’t interrupt, they don’t immediately answer, they don’t even offer their opinion. They allow the entire team to talk and generate dialogue while they entrust their critical thinking skills to guide the discussion and see what bits and pieces from all involved can produce a positive outcome.

Listening without interruption is an art. Isn’t that why you have empowered those on your team to make decisions?

Commonly referred to as “guided discovery”, the best leaders will guide those that they have empowered, as well as the outside team members involved, to discover the solution on their own. They are not looking for credit or praise, but rather a positive ending. As a result, they will earn more trust and respect, and the entire team becomes better prepared to handle crisis by falling back later upon the lessons learned and skills used to resolve previous crises.

What if a solution cannot be found? You ask yourself if you have exhausted all options, had all of the facts and analytics to make a qualified decision and most importantly, is there a consensus amongst senior leadership that this is the only route to take?

These are the hard decisions. They are also the ones build your character.

“Courage is grace under pressure.”

– Ernest Hemingway

Earn the respect and trust of your company and those you lead.

Be the one who people turn to in tough situations.

Win the moment.

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

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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.

Victor Pisano✏ This Is Not a Drill
More . . .

✏ Shortcuts to Success

There are two shortcuts to success:

  1. There are no shortcuts
  2. See #1

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

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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.

Victor Pisano✏ Shortcuts to Success
More . . .

✏ A Champion’s Mindset

My inspiration for the concept of leadership is deeply rooted in my love for sports. Growing up, I had the privilege of playing with and competing against incredible athletes. Most of my life-long friendships came from either the football field or the baseball diamond.

My first mentors were coaches; they were men of integrity and authenticity. They not only had a love for the game, but more so a passion for developing young athletes into men who would one day lead and contribute to society.

It’s been 30 years and I still have relationships with those same coaches who molded my life. That says something about who they are. Men like Coach Padron, Reeves, Robbins, Black, Maldonado, Majek and others.

What they taught me in particular was not only a lesson on the field, but an advantage in life – having a CHAMPION MINDSET.

“A COACH IS SOMEONE WHO TELLS YOU WHAT YOU DON’T WANT TO HEAR, WHO HAS YOU SEE WHAT YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE,
SO YOU CAN BE WHO YOU ALWAYS KNEW YOU COULD BE.”

– Tom Landry, Dallas Cowboys Head Coach 1960-1989

It was an attitude applicable to my abilities, intelligence and potential. It was an influenced set of beliefs that was ingrained into my subconscious every day to create a frame of mind that no barrier was too big, no goal was unachievable and no dream wasn’t worth pursuing.

In essence, what they were doing was creating a winning culture by encouraging an environment of learning where all lessons were directed by a unified passion and dedication to a greater good, as opposed to only self-development. Everything we did as a team was done with pride and humility, and we were all on the same page.

I learned at an early age that failure was a necessary part of the final outcome. It was how I responded that was most important. As a result, the coaches had created an environment of vulnerability where I, along with my teammates, felt comfortable stepping outside of my comfort zone.

Their goals were that we, as a team will:

  • Believe in the process
  • Believe in the system
  • Believe in our teammates
  • Believe that we control our own destiny

Fast forward to the present, where I continue to apply that same CHAMPION’S MINDSET in everything I do. As a leader, I understand that if I want to have an influence on someone, if I want to bring about change, I have to invest the proper amount of effort, time and sacrifice. My commitment and dedication to each person I lead through action and example will dictate their willingness to adopt the same mindset.

“WHAT YOU ARE THINKING IS WHAT YOU ARE BECOMING.”

– Muhammed Ali, Three-Time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion

For this reason, I know that having a plan of action is critical.

That starts with a PURPOSE – A reasoning for what you want to accomplish, your true existence.

Followed by a VISION – What are my capabilities and those of the team I lead? What is the final objective and goal and what will guide our journey?

What are my VALUES – What are the right things to do that evoke the high standards and integrity that define my character?

Define the STRATEGY – A clear and concise plan of action that defines the path toward the established vision.

Establish the GOALS – The milestones that will mark our progress. They will be S.M.A.R.T. goals:

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Results focused

Time found

For this plan of action to be effective and successful, you must:

  • Communicate often
  • Communicate clearly
  • Communicate efficiently

ALL WHO HAVE A ROLE MUST HAVE COMPLETE BUY-IN.

We never stop learning, but at the same time, we should always hold tight to the lessons that provided us with the most gain. We all have mentors around us; the challenge is to identify them, communicate with them and listen. The key word there – LISTEN. Be humble, vulnerable and willing to ask questions. Apply their lessons and if you fail, fail forward.

Once you have succeeded, the privilege falls upon you to make the same investment in somebody else to elicit greatness out of them.  Mentorship is a pay if forward process. It is the key to ensuring our future leaders have the skills necessary to make an impact.

For me, it was the sacrifice and willingness of those coaches in my life who contributed in establishing the foundation to my success, confidence and gratitude to pay it forward, and for that, I will forever be grateful.

“A CHAMPION NEEDS MOTIVATION ABOVE AND BEYOND WINNING.”

– Pat Riley, 5-Time NBA Champion Coach, 1997-2003

Make a difference today.

LEADERSHIP IS A PRIVILEGE.

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

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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.

Victor Pisano✏ A Champion’s Mindset
More . . .

✏ A New Youth Movement in Leadership?

Is there such thing as a fast-track leadership program?

When we talk about leadership, we typically emphasize the “journey”. We highlight words like patience, experience, knowledge, trust, tenure, etc.  Leadership is an earned role that comes through respect, and it takes time to earn respect.

However, there are headlines out there that will tell you to the contrary that there is a youth movement taking place amongst the Fortune 500 C-Suite executives. Just look at these young leaders:

  • Mark Zuckerburg, CEO & Chairman of Facebook, 34 years old
  • Keith Cozza, CEO & Director of Icahn Enterprises LP, 39 years old
  • Larry Page, CEO & Director of Alphabet, Inc., 45 years old
  • Jeffrey Brown, CEO & Director of Ally Financial, 45 years old

It certainly does look like there is a changing of the guard when it comes to the age of CEO right now. Think about all of those dot.com entrepreneurs who made millions before they were even 30 years old. There are stories all over Silicon Valley of overnight CEO successes.  The narratives are all the same: you just need some angel investors, a great idea, an IPO and the world is yours . . .

— WE INTERRUPT THIS BLOG FOR A VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE —

Enter 2007-2008, when the United States experienced a financial crisis termed the “Great Recession”, which was compared to the “Great Depression” of the 1930’s. There is one thing a financial crisis will always teach you about leadership — when there is concern about financial stability, constant scrutiny, a complete lack of accountability, and a loss of trust by the American people, it’s time to bring in the old guard who can handle these situations.

“Be fearful when others are greedy, be greedy when other people are fearful.”

Warren Buffett

May I introduce you to a few veterans who can fix just about anything who just so happen to be in the Fortune Top 100 CEO’s Listing:

  • Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, 85 years old
  • Sheldon G. Anderson, CEO of the Las Vegas Sands, 82 years old
  • Roger Penske, CEO of the Penske Automotive Group, 79 years old
  • Allan Miller, CEO and Chairman of Universal Health Services, 77 years old

You may have noticed, but we just took a 180º from the beginning of the blog to this point. It was necessary to prove my position and bring you back to reality: where leadership is developed through a mindset of skills and behaviors that require experience, and experience equals time.

There is no rule that says, “you must be this age to lead”, but there are considerations that come into play in order to maintain the tremendous pace and deal with the immense pressures of being a leader and having accountability for the success of the people under your direction and the profitability of the company.

Are there exceptions to the rule? No doubt there are, there are exceptions to every rule. However, when discussing leadership, don’t follow the “get rich quick method” because you will be the first to fail. If you don’t respect the process, you won’t experience the rewards.

The key is to focus on YOU. What are your aspirations? What are your goals? What are your strengths?

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH, AND HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET THERE?

This is your legacy — create it page by page in tremendous detail and explanation so others can learn from your journey.

To an extent, leadership is like beauty; it’s hard to define, but you
know it when you see it.

If you aspire to be a leader, do it for the right reasons – to inspire and empower others. Leadership is all about giving more than you take.  Don’t graduate from college and expect the “golden egg”, start from the bottom and learn every function of the profession you strive to make a difference. No shortcuts, no excuses; put in the hard work and the blue sky can be yours.

As I wrap this up, here are a few facts for you to ponder:

Most CEOs range in age from 47 – 63 years old

(https://www.alvarezandmarsal.com/sites/default/files/files/Age-CEO-CFO-COO.pdf)

The average tenure of a CEO is 9.7 years for Fortune 500 companies

(https://www.creditdonkey.com/ceo-statistics.html)

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

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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.

Victor Pisano✏ A New Youth Movement in Leadership?
More . . .

✏ What Are the Odds?

It seems as if a prerequisite for success these days is to start your business out of your garage.

Those garages were the original corporate headquarters for many familiar businesses including Apple (Steve Jobs), Microsoft (Bill Gates), Amazon (Jeff Bezos), Brownfield Funds (“The Big Short’s” Charlie Geller and Jamie Shipley) and Julio Palmaz (heart stent).

“What Are the Odds” – Trivia?

  • For an amateur to make a hole in one: 12,000 to 1
  • Being struck by lightning: 960,000 to 1
  • To win the Powerball: 292,000,000 to 1

“What Are the Odds” – Business?

  • Start-up businesses surviving one year: 70 out of 100
  • Start-up businesses surviving one to five years: 50 out of 100
  • Start-up businesses surviving up to ten years: 34 out of 100

Which set of odds is most intriguing to you? 

For the vast majority of people, trivia is the choice they stick with. However, for the thrill seekers who thrive on betting the house on calculated risks, they see the challenge in being an entrepreneur. Research those who have experienced tremendous entrepreneurial riches over the last 20+ years and see — was it luck or risk?

TAKE EVERY CHANCE.
DROP EVERY FEAR.

Success is not for the weak at heart. It’s a never-ending investment of time, energy, ego and sacrifice. It is a lonely journey, because in most cases, the money is not there to fund a team — you are the team.

We all play the odds in some way, but to what extent are you willing to sacrifice everything you have based off the unwavering confidence you have in yourself?

The speed with which technology propels business today as opposed to just 10 years ago is the difference between millions in profit over a very short period of time for one business, compared to millions lost overnight for another.

However, for the obsessed entrepreneur, the one emotion you don’t want to experience is REGRET. If you’re young enough and have really good mentors, you can, but, if the rear-view mirror is all you focus on, you’re going to have live with it.

Entrepreneurs live off a simple philosophy – NO RISK, NO REWARD. 

Successful entrepreneurs spend a tremendous amount of time on the most meticulous details to test every theory against their ideas. They don’t ask themselves “how can it succeed”, but rather, “how can it fail?” They are obsessed with the research, data, analytics and input. They strive to make the impossible possible.

They refine their concepts — sometimes for years — before the first returns ever come to fruition. You see, great things never come from comfort zones; it takes courage, patience and numerous rejections to succeed.

There are plenty of examples of familiar names who lived off ambition as opposed to a paycheck:

  • Mark Cuban (Dallas Mavericks) was a bartender until the age of 25
  • Suze Orman (Finance/Stockbroker) was a waitress until the age of 31
  • Sheldon Adelson (Las Vegas Sands Hotels) sold shampoo until the age of 30
  • K. Rowling (Harry Potter) was single mom on welfare until the age of 31

Was it luck, or was it the sense of adventure to prove everybody wrong and beat the odds beyond all expectations? The only plan guaranteed to fail is one without taking risks. Great achievements take great risk.

When these folks see the return on their investment, they don’t think in terms of how much money they made. They think of how much more they could have made had they executed it in another way. It’s not that they are greedy; they are perfectionists.

Unless you are willing to push the limits, success will elude you. Success requires action, how else would you measure their achievements?  Be bold and have the ambition to turn your dreams into reality. You only live once, why not create the legacy of an anomaly?

Start with cleaning out the garage, though . . .

Leadership is a privilege.

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

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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.

Victor Pisano✏ What Are the Odds?
More . . .

✏ The Power of Empathy

Powerful leadership requires a sincere empathy toward those you lead.

Empathy is not a weakness. Empathy is a strength.

However, there seems to be a disconnect in understanding the differences between “empathy” and “sympathy.” Sympathy is feeling compassion, sorrow, or pity for the hardships that another person encounters, while empathy is putting yourself in the shoes of another.

“Empathy fuels connection; sympathy drives disconnection.”

– Brene´ Brown

Through research, I have learned that a predominant theory is that leaders tend to subscribe to two different routes for leadership. The first is a “task-oriented” style where leaders focus their behaviors on the specifics roles of the job and productivity. The second is “relations-oriented leadership,” where leaders focus on emotional behaviors to create quality relationships, such as listening, loyalty, trust, providing support and encouragement.

The leaders who were authentic and vested in following a relations-oriented leadership style were able to produce more results — and even more impressive — retain their staff for more extended periods of time. Remember, trust and respect are motivators for an employee to stay at a company even when the financial lure may be tempting.

A great employee leaves a bad leader, not a company.

How else can you effectively lead without truly understanding those that you are responsible for? To be a successful leader, it is imperative that you develop the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. This will be your connection to greatness — the switch to ignite empowerment. The trust and respect to earn loyalty.

Far too often, leaders are stubborn and lean toward the old-school management style which states that you should have a clear and distinct separation between those who work for you, and those whom you call friends. You can’t mix the two. “Having friendships with your subordinates will only create problems”, the theory says.

Through experience, observation, discussion, and application, I cannot entirely agree with this. Keeping an arm’s-length distance between yourself and your team will get you nowhere. If you want complete buy-in, loyalty, commitment, and trust, you have to be willing to step outside your comfort zone.

In my opinion, there is no way as a leader that you would have the ability to be able to map another’s thoughts, needs, motivations, feelings, attitudes beliefs and issues without empathy. People don’t want your pity; they are looking for your human side, the connection.

“Leadership is about empathy. It is about having the ability to relate to and connect with people to inspire and empowering their lives.”

– Oprah Winfrey

A sincere and empathetic relationship with your team can be the difference between achieving your objectives and falling short. It can often be the difference between good and great. If viewed as a sacrifice on your part, there may be a need for a self-awareness evaluation to ensure you can be in the role. There is a distinct difference between viewing your team as workers vs. people.

There are 5 Steps of Empathy:

  1. Listen to what the person is saying and watch their body language
  2. Remember a time when you felt the same way.
  3. Imagine how you might think about that situation. Validate the full range of emotions that come up.
  4. Ask how they are feeling. Share with them what you are noticing.
  5. Show you care through your words and actions – if you promise something, follow through

 

It has become apparent that empathy is an essential trait for 21st-century leadership and beyond. If compassion is not your strong suit as a leader, make it a priority to understand better where others are coming from. Find what inspires and motivates them, learn their triggers and discover their strengths, learn how to connect with them on an individual basis.

Balance it with your leadership style and be prepared to see positive changes occur.

Do great things today and make a difference.

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

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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.

Victor Pisano✏ The Power of Empathy
More . . .

✏ Nothing Changes If Nothing Changes

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.

  1. POSITIVE MINDSET

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.

  1. DON’T DO IT

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.

  1. VOLUNTEER

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.

  1. MENTOR

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.

  1. GRATITUDE JOURNAL

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

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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.

Victor Pisano✏ Nothing Changes If Nothing Changes
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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”:

  1. Get inspired. Find something that inspires you and pursue it. Learn all you can, then find where it is applicable to your self-improvement and develop a plan of implementation
  2. Develop a new skill set. If you want to be more powerful in your life, learn more. It’s that simple!
  3. Reflect. Take an honest look at yourself and ask if you are being an effective leader. Be humble, and ask for feedback.
  4. Identify the barriers. What is in your path that may be impeding your progress?
  5. Practice patience. Patience is no longer just a virtue; it is a requirement.
  6. Pay it forward. There is no better way to improve your self worth than through humility and acts of kindness.
  7. Improve you. Take the time to focus on the most important person in this equation – you.
  8. Find a mentor. All around us there are people that not only motivate, but can inspire. Find them and engage.
  9. Learn from your team. Who is around you every day that can provide a scouting report of your skill sets?
  10. Get better. Find ways to improve managing your time, and prioritizing tasks and objectives.

 

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

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.

Victor Pisano✏ You, Only Better: Self-Improvement for Leaders
More . . .