Leaders Click It" Into Gear!
"Click It" Into Gear!
Ever wonder how two people can be in the same meeting, hear the same speaker communicate the same message - yet once the meeting is over, each person's perception of the event is totally different?
Why the different perception? How can one individual think the meeting was terrific and leave completely inspired and motivated, yet the other person walks away believing the total opposite?
Answer: "THE CLICK" (More on this in a minute!)
Picture yourself being told that your department is about to undergo a major downsizing. (Not a pretty picture, to be sure.) You are told that an announcement regarding large numbers of layoffs is eminent.
Shortly, you may be out of a job! (gasp!)
Stunned? Sure you are, and the choices you make in the immediate future may change your life forever.
NOW - is when you need to "CLICK IT" into gear.
Visualize "THE CLICK": Take your right hand and form a backwards "C" with your thumb and fingers. Keeping your hand in the backwards "C" position - hold your hand up to your right temple. Next, quickly make a forward snap of the wrist as you say out loud, "CLICK".
Did the light bulb just go on?
Leaders who understand the power of "The Click" - DO NOT become victims of circumstance. Rather, they identify the challenges and the opportunities which are presented to them at the moment - whatever the adversity.
We each have the ability to choose our outcome. We may not like the choices in front of us at the time - but at least we have the ability to choose our path.
One thing is for certain - doing nothing, ensures failure.
Consider these examples:
#1 Losing your job?
Initial Reactions: "Poor me. That's not fair! Those dirty rotten ba...uh.. scoundrels! Why me? My life is over!".. etc, etc.
OR,
CLICK! "Okay, this is interesting. I guess now I have the opportunity to do something totally different. I could allow myself to be scared, but I choose to be excited instead. Obviously, something greater is awaiting me just around the corner. I can't wait to get started!"
Question: Does the personal choice presented above sound crazy to you? If so, ask yourself this question - "What's my alternative choice?" Sure, you can become emotionally charged, react in anger or even allow yourself to sink into a deep depression. But what will that accomplish? Nothing constructive, that is for certain.
The better choice is to dip into your personal reserves and "be" your better self.
#2 Boss just told you your department isn't meeting expectations, and you are being placed on notice?
Initial Reactions: "He has always had it out for me. I'm next on the chopping block. It's a conspiracy! I'm going to report him to HR and the Corporate Ethics Line because I feel threatened!..etc, etc.
OR,
CLICK! "Alright, my boss just told me exactly what he expects from me. I'm going to start immediately to address every issue he mentioned to show him that I understand what he expects and that I am committed to not letting he, or the company, down. I may not agree with everything he said, but I respect the position that he holds and it's my duty to support upper management and the company I work for. I can do this!"
As the preceding examples point out, "THE CLICK" is the result of asking yourself, "What is the most constructive way I can look at this situation, and what action steps must I immediately take to professionally address this issue?"
Bottom line: NEVER forget the power of "THE CLICK". NEVER allow yourself to be a victim of circumstance.
Instead, utilize this all-important tool to remain the master of your own destiny.
Don't be "affected" - be EFFECTIVE.
"Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."
- John Wooden
Richard Gorham is the founder and President of Leadership-Tools, Inc. His web site, http://www.leadership-tools.com is dedicated to providing free tools and resources for today's aspiring leaders. Offering high-quality tools in the areas of Business Planning, Leadership Development, Customer Service, Sales Management and Team Building.
More Resources
Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting
More Leadership Information:
Related Articles
Wisdom From The Rock
He grew up in Brooklyn, the son of an ex-con father and with a Mob-connected uncle who earned a living as a loan-shark. He credits his father continually saying, "Never lie, never steal," as an influence in his making a better career choice.
Why Not Lead With Emotions?
Studies have shown that companies that have acquired competencies to lead with emotional excellence are far more productive and efficient because of the impact emotional excellence has on employee morale, loyalty, retention and overall performance of the organization to name a few.Since the early 1990's and especially after the internationally renowned author Daniel Goleman's book "Working with Emotional Intelligence" hit the bestseller's list, the business world began to pay close attention to this competency and began to incorporate it in their employee training programs.
Thoughtleading: The Art of Separating Yourself from the Pack
Lately the age-old business dilemma of how to stand out from the crowd has been haunting companies and professional service firms more than ever before. All too many firms nowadays look too much alike, with marketing strategies seemingly unable to distinguish them from their competition.
Are You a Good Manager or a Great Leader?
Your word is your truth - Know that when you speak, you will fulfill your promise to others and others will know they can depend on you. Think before you speak.
What We Can Learn From J. Paul Getty
J. Paul Getty planned to enter the U.
Recommended Books on Leadership and Team Building
The single most important thing a leader can do is lead by example, and if you want your team to be dynamic and learn more, you've got to continually innovate and find new ways to encourage, reward, and motivate YOURSELF! That's right, I said you've got to motivate YOU! If you lead by example, and you're motivated, soon your team will be too!That being said, here are my recommendations for a few good leadership and team building books. Enjoy!The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow them and People Will Follow You Failing ForwardJohn C.
A Lasting Leadership Lesson: How One Leadership Talk By George Washington Saved The Revolution
A Lasting Leadership Lesson: How One Leadership Talk By George Washington Saved The Revolution (And Our Fledgling Nation) From Catastrophe.Leadership lessons come in many guises.
In Leadership, Dreams Are The Stuff That Great Results Are Made Of
Leadership is motivational or it's stumbling in the dark. The best leaders don't order people to do a job, the best leaders motivate people to want to do the job.
Awaken the Leader in You: 10 Easy Steps To Develop Your Leadership Skills
"The miracle power that elevates the few is to be found in their industry, application, and perseverance, under the promptings of a brave determined spirit." - Mark TwainMany motivational experts like to say that leaders are made, not born.
Two Vital Abilities Any Leader Must Have
As a business owner, you are a leader whether you like it or not. Whether you like it or not you have to guide your group in order to expand your organization.
The Challenge to Lead
The topic of leadership has been and continues to be one of the most vital topics in human history. From ancient civilizations to modern day multi-national corporations, men and women of passion, fervor and zeal have sought to discover the secrets of moving others beyond the gray of their mundane reality to the rich array of colors that embody the palate of the extraordinary life.
The Greatest Leaders Are Often The Worst Leaders
It's a common occurrence, a CEO leads a company to record earnings, retires and in months, those once high-flying earnings are dropping like shot ducks.Observers blame the new leadership team.
Five Surprisingly Hip Politicial Ideas From Plato
Don't you love politics?Me, neither. But I do like thinking about politics.
The Three Factors of Leadership Motivation
Leaders do nothing more important than get results. But you can't get results by yourself.
Extraordinary People in Mediocre Times
My grandfather used to speak of the days when people drove the world. It was a time when people were proud to contribute and move society and industry forward at full steam.
F2 Leadership
People don't leave jobs; they leave bosses. --AnonymousCongratulations.
7 Awesome Leadership Power Generators!
7 Awe-Inspiring Leadership Power-Generating Strategies!Here's a really simple way you can use your personalinfrastructure to increase your leadership power, create newinnovative solutions and nurture your growth opportunities.Failing to invest in your power-producing abilities willdefinitely prevent you from realizing success on the job androb your future career efforts of enjoyment.
It's Not All About Cheese: The Missing Component in Employee Development (Part 1)
Spencer Johnson really hit a nerve when he wrote Who Moved My Cheese? The book, a best seller still, is a wonderful allegory of the things that drive and motivate us. I personally loved the book, perhaps because I read it in one night.
Leaders ARE; Are you?
Identity CrisisIt's not only the knowledge you carry around in your head. More important to your effectiveness as a leader is your character - who you ARE.
To Be An Effective Leader, Do A Check-up From The Neck Up
Before we can effectively lead anyone, we must take an introspective view of ourselves. We must do a check-up from the neck up.