Listen or Lose

“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” - Stephen R. Covey

Ever miss what someone is saying because you are too distracted crafting your response?

We’ve all been there...

The problem is when we get stuck there.

Simply being aware of this habit will help you gain the traction you need to become a more effective listener.

We live in an increasingly noisy world.

In terms of supply and demand, there is a surplus of broadcasters and a shortage of receivers.

Don’t flood the market; cater to the need. Be a leader who listens. You will always find yourself in demand.

Not sure where you stack up?

If you’ve already forgotten what this blog is about because you’ve been drafting what you want to write in the comment section, it might be worth re-reading.

Tip: Silence is only uncomfortable if you are uncomfortable with it. Stop trying to fill the empty space in a conversation. Stay dedicated to being a receiver and you will be amazed with what you hear.

Failure Creates the Path to Success

“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over again in my life...”

Yikes. Pretty depressing stuff right? Feeling sorry for this poor guy?

Spare your pity.

Here comes the perspective:

“…and that is why I succeed.” -Michael Jordan

Failed efforts often lead to successes that inspire.

You miss a priceless opportunity when you edit failures out of your story. People who look up to you want to connect with you. They want to relate to you. They want to know you are human.

You don’t need to be perfect; you need to be real.

We all fail.  When we are down, the thing we need most is the belief that we have the strength to get back up and keep fighting.

Let the unedited version of your story inspire those around you. Admit your failures. Own them as part of your legacy.  You never know who you might be helping back up.

Who inspired you when you needed it the most?

Are you Paying it Forward in Service?

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.- Muhammad Ali

Paying it forward is a business practice that has become as important as paying your bills.

Customers learn a lot about the integrity of a business by observing the integrity of its leaders.

Over 14 years ago I decided to become a Rotarian. The Rotary motto is “Service above Self". Those three words have shaped the way I live, run my business, and interact with my community.

Joining a service organization like Rotary or Kiwanis is one of the best ways to foster a mutually beneficial relationship between your business and your community. It enables you to align yourself with other like-minded leaders who value service as an important component of business and life.

As you build your network, demonstrate the type of leader you are by leading in a service organization. We all want to do business with people we like, trust and respect.

If you are not a member of a service organization, maybe it’s time to sit in on a service organization meeting. It’s a great way to expand your network…and have a great meal.

Check out: Rotary, Lion's Club, Kiwanis or another organization that speaks to you.

Are you spending your time with like-minded leaders in the kind of service that means something to you?