Responsible Leadership

When you work your Leadership Image skills your Leadership Image skills will work for you. So what is the difference between Leadership and Leadership Image? Leadership is what you do, your Leadership Image is who you are inside and out, top to bottom and all around. When you know and understand what your Leadership Image is and the component parts, you will find that your effectiveness as a Leader will grow to new levels.

You cannot lead others unless you know who you are and are confident of who you are and have acquired the skillsets you need to assist you in becoming your best. So often people are plucked from successful positions and elevated to management positions, and given Leadership roles, complete with staff to oversee and performance expectations. Greatness is expected from them from their past accomplishments in their prior job, however unless the individual has been given training and opportunities to build and understand what Leadership is and the type of Leaders and Leadership style that best fits them, then chances are that they will not rise to be the success that had been hoped for. Often upper management is quick to talk about failed expectations, but the responsibility lies in the management for not having a plan and training program in place. When this happens, it affects a variety of levels of people.

The new leader feels like a failure, their team does not have positive feelings and often build resentment and projects do not meet expectations, success or budget. The responsibility though does not completely rest with management alone, but also with the individual person. If you are going to take on new responsibility, it is also up to you to look for tools and guidance to assist you to build and achieve success. If training is not provided, there are books on every subject and so much of it is at no cost or low cost on the web. There are webinars. You can also do some research and find someone who has already successfully accomplished what you are working to do and accomplish. When you find that person build connection and mentoring relationship with that person. Regardless of where you are in your career path, others have come before you, traveling that same path. You can significantly reduce your learning curve when you learn from others who have achieved the levels of success that you are aspiring to achieve, and it is always best to learn from the best.

If you are beating yourself up about not being given the time to get the training that you feel is necessary for the job, but have accepted the job, stop looking for outside answers, look internally. It all begins with YOU! If you believe you can do it you’re right. If you believe you can’t do it you’re right. You affect the outcome. It all begins with you, your attitude and your mindset. Both of these you are in complete control of. So often we never wish to look at where the true root of the problem lies. Often we cast ourselves into the role as the victim, rather than to assess what needs to be done and then turn to the operative word of how. It is you as an individual who creates the quality of your life and Leadership and the results.

So often people ask me what is the primary difference between management and Leadership? The best way to answer and best description would be to say that management is about doing things right whereas Leadership is doing the right thing. Managers and those reporting to management are entrusted with doing their jobs correctly in alignment with visions and goals, a day to day details established for the company or organization. This crosses over all departments. Leadership is about doing the right thing. Setting examples and helping everyone around and under their Leadership team to be successful. Leadership is not about power. It is about strength, understanding courage and sacrifice. Leadership is about empowering others and building them up. Great leaders build effective teams with each person playing a key vital role, whether they are visible to others, or more behind the scenes. Leadership is about vision and setting the course, while management provides the details and helps achieve the vision. Think of management and a ship. The captain sets the course for the trip or voyage, he lays out the voyage and the destination. It is then up to the management and crew at each level to provide what is necessary to steer the ship and keep it on course to successfully reach the destination, on time and in good shape. Leadership is not about power, though it is powerful. Management role is to support Leadership and help keep everything and everyone moving forward. Great Leadership is being a great cheerleader, helping champion everyone around you to thrive, not to merely survive. Instill mindset with you and your team to be your best every day. Since effectiveness and attitude start top down bottom up, communication is key. No one can read your mind or anyone. Management no matter how efficient cannot succeed without efficient Leadership.

Did you know that 99% of all failures come for people who have a habit of making excuses? Excuses? When it comes to excuses there are no excuses! Do you wish to achieve major success in life? Do you want to know the key to unleash and achieve major success? The answer – It is up to YOU. You can and must assume 100% responsibility for your life. It’s that pure and simple. Success does not come from blaming others. You can blame others all you wish, but in the end, until you stand up and take 100% of the responsibility for your actions you will not achieve great success in your career or life.

Would you like to know the 10 most powerful words in the world? These 10 words are life changing! Once you know these 10 words and choose to put them into action, you become unstoppable. They are very powerful. They will show you the light and the path. These 10 words are custom built for you. When you accept these 10 words you will see many immediate changes in your life. The great thing about these 10 words is that they are timeless, ageless and know no boundaries. These 10 words once embraced by you will serve you well throughout your entire life. These 10 words can also be a legacy that you pass on to others and to generations behind you. So, what are the 10 most powerful words in the world? They are: IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME! The words are simple individually, but their power is in putting them all together. It is up to you, you are in control of your choices, mindset, and attitude. Once you begin taking 100% responsibility for your actions and integrate the 10 most powerful words in your life every day, you can become an unstoppable force. Think and believe – “YES I CAN!, with the 10 words you and your confidence will be boosted. You need to believe in you take responsibility and take action for your life. No one can live your life for you.

What exactly does taking 100% responsibility for your life means? Taking 100% responsibility means that you recognize and acknowledge that you create everything that happens to you. You are the cause and result of experiences. When you stop blaming and complaining and take 100% responsibility for your life, that means that you own your successes and your failures. It is when you acknowledge and recognize that you have created everything in your life until now that you can move forward and take charge of the future you desire. Look internally at your life right now here in the present. The life you have is the one you have allowed yourself to create and be a part of and its conditions, both good and bad. Recognizing where you are and then by taking 100% responsibility you can move forward. You can dispose of the areas in your life that are not working or desire and develop new skills to propel you forward. It’s up to you! You are in control.

Here are 3 tips for you to think about and ponder when something does not go the way you planned it. Life is not always perfect. Sometimes we need to make adjustments and shifts. Life is always going to happen, and obstacles will get thrown in your path. It is how you respond to the obstacles that will affect the outcome.

1. What was I thinking?
2. What did I say or do that created the issue?
3. What do I need to do differently the next time to achieve the result I want?

E+R=O

Every outcome you experience in life is the result of how you have responded to events in your life. Think of events in the past both in your personal life and in your career, how you have responded and what has been the outcome.

If you do not like the outcomes that you feel that you are currently receiving, you have 2 choices:

1. You can blame the event (E) for your lack of results (0).
2. You can instead simply change your responses (R) to the event (E) the way things are until you get the outcomes you desire.

Simply put, if you do not like your outcomes, change your responses.

Life is a present, every day that you wake up is a gift. Make the most of your gift take responsibility to use your 10 most powerful words, believe in yourself saying, “ Yes I can!”, and you will be unstoppable as you grow yourself to new levels.

Sharon Burstein
CEO Sharon Burstein International