I Think I Can

“As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.” -Henry David Thoreau

Whether you like the sophistication of Henry David Thoreau or the simplicity of The Little Engine that could,

One thing is certain:

Thoughts are powerful.

The key is to remember that we have a choice over what thoughts we give power to.

Sadly, many of us are more comfortable believing that we are going to fail than we are believing that we are going to succeed. It is because of this, that the trodden trails of our mindsets are often the ones that lead nowhere.

Stepping off a familiar path can be scary… but it's the only way to give power to new possibilities.

On Your Marks, Get Set, Dig!

The goal of 128 Tips to Make You a More Effective Leader is not to solve your problems in under a minute.

As nice as that would be, it's impossible.  Instead, the purpose of each tip is to clearly mark the ground where treasure lies beneath the surface. Putting in the work to dig for the rewards is up to you. Your hands are going to get dirty, but it'll be worth it.

As you read through this book, pay attention to how you respond to each tip. Your reactions will serve you as well as a metal detector.

The stronger your response to a particular tip, the more likely you are to value what you will uncover.

Sometimes digging will be easier than others. The soil will be soft and inviting.

However, there will undoubtedly be other times when a jackhammer will be required to break through habits, fears, or beliefs that are protecting what lies below.

Dog-ear the pages, write in the margins, and break out your highlighter.

The hunt is on for the “X’s” that mark the spots you care about reaching on your quest to become a more effective leader.

www.128tips.com

This is the House That YOU Built, Jack.

You built your empire from the ground up. That’s right: You are the pillar of strength for your organization, so what’s going to happen when it’s time to sell? How are you going to ensure that the structure of your organization not only stays standing but remains sturdy once your shoulders aren’t there to handle all the weight?

• Identify which of your employees are load-bearing.

Whether you are planning to sell your company to an outside owner, family member or key employee, your load-bearing employees are essential to maintaining the structural integrity and value of your business. How will the weight that you are carrying be distributed after you are gone? Who isn’t going to buckle under the pressure or bow with the passing of time?

• Keep them (even after you’re gone).

Offer incentives to load-bearing employees especially if you see the potential of passing on your torch to them in the future. Keeping them invested in the business as if it was theirs already, builds commitment and capacity.

Ingenious benefit incentives help to ensure that your exit strategy operates like a blueprint instead of a pipedream. Collaborate with your financial adviser to design benefit incentives that will motivate the growth of your employee’s loyalty to the organization and to their personal futures. Don’t give them a reason to seek another career opportunity. The longevity of your load-bearing employees will heavily influence the longevity, and ultimately the sales value of your organization.

You wouldn’t make a major change to the structure of your home without reaching out to an architect. Why would you make the biggest change your company will ever know without the help of an appropriate trusted advisor?

And if you need a recommendation on a financial service professional to help you identify incentive benefits, call me (Abby: 336.458.9939 or email: Abby@LeadershipLegacyGroup.com). As the founding chair of the Succession Planning Roundtable, credentialed financial services providers with expertise in succession and exit, I can help you find the right resource for your particular situation.

How are you retaining your load-bearing leaders?