Bullying, dishonesty and rude comments are often the sad realities of many young children’s lives. Parents and educators have the important responsibility to teach children the proper way to deal with such difficult situations. As a child, I was taught a simple principle; “You can’t change the other person, you can only change yourself.” Now, transition this principle into the business world, it still applies. Better yet, if we actively apply this philosophy, co-worker and employee problems just might dissolve rather than fizzle out of control.

It’s not necessary to become involved in everyone’s problems. When an employee comes to you with a co-worker issue, why get involved? Now, before you demand that they leave your office and wish them well with their problem, put yourself into the shoes of their mentor and leader. Remember that “You can’t change the other person, you can only change yourself.” Look at this role play for example:

Employee: I know the project deadline is today, but Jane hasn’t returned the files to me.

Executive: Yes, the deadline is today. How are you going to handle the situation?

Employee: Well, that’s why I am coming to you. If she doesn’t return the files to me, then I can’t review them and make the final changes.

Executive: Hmmm…That is a problem. Why don’t you think of a solution and come back to my office in ten minutes.

Is the employee frustrated? Yes. Is the problem solved? Not yet. However, if the executive were to take the problem into his own hands, he would be losing valuable work time. In addition, the heat of the situation could build as a third party becomes involved in the conflict.  Consider the results, as the employee returns ten minutes later:

Employee: I have thought the situation over and decided that my time would be better spent assisting Jane with the project. I can then review it and have it in by the deadline. Would you mind if I postponed my current project and allocated my time this way?

Executive: That sounds like a great solution.

Bottlenecking, such as in this case, sometimes occurs in the office. Consequently, this often leads to employee conflict. Rather than escalating the problem by becoming too involved, help employees realize how to change themselves in order to solve the problem.

A great way to start is to ask questions that guide individuals to solutions. This will minimize flared tempers, wasted time and discussions that lack solutions. In turn, employees will become more proactive in getting the job done.

When an employee comes to you with a simple problem, remember that your time and their time are valuable. Help them to understand the simple principle that I learned in my youth, “You can’t change the other person, you can only change yourself.”

Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen & Co. (GROCO®) is the trusted financial advisor to the venture capitalists who helped build companies such as Google, Skype, America Online, Oracle, Sun Microsystems, Compaq, Macromedia, eBay, and Genentech. Consistently ranked as one of the top accounting firms in the Bay Area, our firm provides consulting services and accounting services to high net-worth individuals and closely-held businesses. www.groco.com

By Jerel Benjamin

When you ask someone to define a word like leadership, you will find the responses vary. Leadership can be broken down by a few simple characteristics found in anyone looking to achieve a goal or emblaze a path.

To find the true essence of leadership, one must ask themselves if they possess the following characteristics:

• Leaders are “big picture” thinkers who inspire others to succeed.

Sometimes called visionaries, leaders have trained their mind to always think in the long term. They begin by envisioning a complete picture of what their intended goal entails. This helps them to know exactly where they are going. Having a three year plan is critical in keeping their focus on the horizon.

A leader knows that their big picture plan will only succeed if it offers others the chance to shine. Reaching their envisioned end result is not the only concern a leader considers. Of equal importance are the lives of those that they affect along the way.

• A leaders end goal always benefits and empowers the lives of those they affect

It is critical that those who work with a leader be a part of the vision they have set for themselves. A leader will recognize that in order to excel in both their professional and personal lives, they will at many points require the support of others. Much more can be accomplished when two are working towards a common goal as opposed to just an individual. This requires that their long term plan hold benefits for everyone involved. Before an idea will even be considered to be a goal, a leader seeks common benefit. Similar to a captain on a ship, their focus always remains on the horizon for the safety of everyone involved.

This also goes for the product a leader has created. They will make sure that you are adding VALUE to the lives of every customer they have the privilege to serve. This value is a long term benefit that customers receive by being in a leader’s presence. It is the benefit of their services. Therefore it is imperative that a leader take the time to evaluate the value proposition they are bringing their client.

• A leader looks for and expects challenges along the way.

A leader is not allergic to problems. Some people find that when they are met with a challenge, their entire day, week, or even their life-cycle, will be disrupted. They will respond in anger, doubt, and unpredictable actions that make matters worse. A leader will not be fazed when faced with a similar situation. They are not bothered because they understand:

Challenges are a fact of life. It’s nonsensical to pretend that challenges are not reality.

Challenges are filled with opportunity to advance even closer to your goals.

Because they accept these two facts of life, a leader has plotted their course anticipating the road to their destination may be bumpy at times. Should their journey involve tough situations and/or decisions, the leader doesn’t get frustrated. Instead, they look for the opportunities that are present during the challenges.

• A leader’s attitude always employs the ability to view negative situations as positive experiences to be learned from.

Because a leader always expects to find challenges as they make their way to the goal line, and they understand that each challenge offers an opportunity to advance closer to their goal, they view each situation as a positive. Attitude is the key to defining a leader. How we feel towards what we know is on the horizon will ultimately dictate how well we navigate through it.

Leaders will take this knowledge one step further. They take out the proverbial pencil and pad of paper, and begin taking notes regarding the challenge and how to effectively embrace issue. This forces the leader to become innovative in their thinking, which can be a much needed adjustment. Leaders recognize that all worthwhile endeavors are met with challenging resistance. The rewards of persistence are the spoils of those who embrace them.

• A leader constantly seeks the advice of other leaders who have succeeded in their goals.

There will always be someone who has gone before you and succeeded in the areas of life you are undertaking. Seeking this outside counsel is critical to their success.

Leaders are constantly in a state of learning. They never stop grasping for the information that will propel them to the next stage in their professional and personal lives.

Jerel Benjamin is the founder of Leadership Gold. He is a well known Entrepreneur of six companies and founded Leadership Gold to make the strategies for success in one’s professional and personal career available to all who choose to accept it. Mr. Benjamin’s company is based in Los Angeles, CA. but its memberships and daily Leadership Blogs are enjoyed throughout North America and the UK.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jerel_Benjamin

“Understand in order to understood” is a piece of advice that I have often heard. In order to be a successful leader, you need to care about the individuals who are under your direction. So, how do you do that? You listen to them.

Listening is an art that many need to be educated on. So often, we focus on dumping our own problems out rather than listening to others concerns. Employees and executives alike want to be heard rather than having to fight for the microphone. However, when an individual learns to listen, increased respect and trust towards that individual are most often the results.

From experience, I understand that listening can, at times, be challenging. When frustrations are surfaced that you want to have no part in and passions that do not interest you are expressed, it may be easy to ignore the speaker or quickly change the topic. However, when you do listen sincerely, the individual who is speaking will at times feel that you value what they are saying.

A true leader will care about those whom they lead. They will have learned the art of listening. So when someone passes by your way today, try learning to listen, and they may learn to follow you.

Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen & Co. (GROCO®) is the trusted financial advisor to the venture capitalists who helped build companies such as Google, Skype, America Online, Oracle, Sun Microsystems, Compaq, Macromedia, eBay, and Genentech. Consistently ranked as one of the top accounting firms in the Bay Area, our firm provides consulting services and accounting services to high net-worth individuals and closely-held businesses. www.groco.com

What do most people want in life? They want to be heard, understood and respected. However, few people get this recognition. In today’s world, many live by the “Me Principle.” Attitudes of “Life is all about me”, “I am more important than you” and “What is in it for me?” flock our society. But can’t you imagine how much more fulfilling life would be if we turned outward, rather than selfishly focusing on ourselves? What would happen if we could selflessly set aside our own ideals, passions and desires for just a couple of minutes when someone is in need of our help?

I was once with a young man who passed by a mother and her children on the road. Their car tire was flat. This young man could have easily driven by with the excuse, “I’m busy. I’m sure that someone else will stop.” However, he had other plans. Although his car was filled with passengers, he steered to the side of the road and jumped out. Without hesitation, he began to change the flattened tire of this young family’s car, selflessly serving strangers.

The “Me Principle” was unknown to him. Life’s experiences had led him to believe differently.  His attitude reflected “Life is not all about me”, “When you are in need, I am here to help.” Life becomes more fulfilling when we take the focus off of ourselves and place it on others. What can you do for someone today?

By Rich Hopkins

Whether you want to become a leader, or have already earned your way into a position of leadership, your character is the key component to your success. When placed in a management role, one of two scenarios often exists:

A. the manager is a stranger to those they manage, having come in from outside the company, and has prevented other people from moving into the role.

B. the manager is known to everyone they manage, and used to be a peer, resulting in a variety of biases, familiarity issues, and again, has prevented other people from moving into the role.

Even if the new manager is well respected, they are now under greater scrutiny, and boundaries will be tested on both sides of the fence. A leader’s character will determine the level of trust and morale their team can develop, and ultimately the team’s ability to achieve set goals.

Characteristics of a Leader

Transparency – the ability to acknowledge one’s imperfections, and deal with them publicly in such a way as to build trust and honesty among the team. If a strategy or directive fails, take responsibility, and work to make adjustments that suit you and your team while still aligning with corporate goals.

Trustworthiness – remember the “open door” policy must go both ways. Team members will often come to you not to discuss their own issues, but their issues with others. Discouraging backbiting from the outset is important, but when it inevitably occurs, walk out your “open door” and talk to the person being discussed quickly, then bring the parties together if necessary to resolve any issues. Distrust begins behind close doors that never re-open.

Emotional Stability – when mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. You control the temperature of the office. Your staff looks to you to tell them when to be happy, sad, excited, irate, frustrated and fulfilled. If your office seems to be on an emotional roller-coaster, look at yourself in the mirror first, before blaming those you influence.

Self-Control – handling extreme situations extremely well. Pick your time, environment, and words well ahead of time before dealing with any highly charged situation. Rash conversations and actions are almost always regretted, and difficult to explain, both to team members, and those who lead YOU.

Discipline – reflect the work ethic you expect from your own position. When your team knows you are working as hard as they are, or harder, not only will they work hard, but they are less likely to harbor resentments. If your team starts slacking off when they see you working harder, it’s time to re-evaluate your team.

Hospitable – willing to let people in. You don’t need to invite them over for a barbecue, or start a bowling team, though neither is a bad idea. Let them into your personality, include them in your successes (especially since they might be the source of many of them), and be open about losses (loss of a parent, etc.) – it makes you human.

Knowledgeable – be ready with answers. Know your job, their job, and the jobs of their competitors and clients. Or at least know where they can go to get the answer. Don’t want to be peppered with questions? Train them to find their own answers, and live with the results – or find a new profession.

Generous – with money, time, and most importantly, praise. Give back to your employees without taking credit for doing so. A Friday pizza party is great until the boss takes credit for doing it. Work with your employees one-on-one to mentor them. And always be ready with a compliment – a real compliment. Learn what praise your team-members require; it will be different for each.

Positive – regardless of the circumstances. Never get caught in the undertow – when the leader goes down, the team ceases to function. Be real, and acknowledge setbacks, but always be ready with a solution and encouragement.

Decisive – make timely and informed choices. Morale drops when uncertainty builds. If a new commission structure is being built, either announce it only upon completion of the details, or include your team on the decision-making process, setting a deadline for deployment.

These 10 Characteristics are developed through action and repetition. No one can be perfect in all things, but by striving for these behaviors, we improve ourselves both in and out of the office, and build stronger relationships with our employees, and hence, a stronger team.

Evaluate yourself against this list. Where are your strengths and weaknesses? When have you seen these characteristics fail or succeed in your own leaders? Once you’ve determined where you need to improve, start actively taking new actions and take notes regarding their effectiveness. You will be amazed at the difference. And so will your team.

Rich Hopkins is a speaker, coach, and consultant who aligns his clients with their own potential. He has 20 years of business background in marketing, sales, and customer service. http://www.richhopkins.net

In life we encounter many different people. Some leave lasting impressions on us that make us want to be better, to improve. These mentors teach us through their example. They lead not for fame and glory, but because they want to make a difference in the lives of those whom they come into contact with.

True leaders live the principles that they teach and thus teach those around them through example.

In a business setting, the same is true. Those whom we tend to follow teach us to be diligent in our work habits. Leadership abilities are exercised through their, sometimes, quiet examples. These individuals accept accountability for their actions and are problem solvers, not problem starters. They are dependent and trusted in the tasks that they are given. Co-workers respect their positive attitudes and look to them for stability.

The true leader’s motives are not for “lights, camera and action”, but rather to improve a business as a whole. They work hard, not for their own fame, but for others. These true leaders are also truly teachers.

Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen & Co. (GROCO®) is the trusted financial advisor to the venture capitalists who helped build companies such as Google, Skype, America Online, Oracle, Sun Microsystems, Compaq, Macromedia, eBay, and Genentech. Consistently ranked as one of the top accounting firms in the Bay Area, our firm provides consulting services and accounting services to high net-worth individuals and closely-held businesses. www.groco.com

In a world of opportunity, you have the power to become successful

Your life is what you make of it. Many opportunities are available for you to learn, grow and be successful in your business and personal life. The Power within You, will help you to become more self reliant as you venture towards becoming a successful entrepreneur.

As with any goal that you are working towards, you must first start by building a foundation. The foundation that you lay, on your journey to entrepreneurship, will help you become more self reliant. As you develop self reliance in business, you can become a successful entrepreneur.

As with any new venture, developing a process to reach success will help you. The following process will guide your journey towards success:

1. 1. Start with a Desire
2. 2. Create a Vision
3. 3. Communicate with Others
4. 4. Take Risks
5. 5. Be Accountable to Someone

1. Start with a Desire

What do you desire? As you seek change in your life, determine if it is something that you really want. You can seek out visions, but inevitably, change will only occur if you want it to. You must desire change to see change.

2. Create a Vision

A vision will allow you to define and create your business objectives and strategies. Your vision will become clear by reflecting on what you really desire. Ask yourself these questions:

What do I want for myself?

What do I want for others?

What do I want for my business?

When creating your vision, think big. You are the artist. Your vision of becoming an entrepreneur will lead to greater satisfaction and purpose in your life. Once you establish a vision, your transition towards an entrepreneur will become more realistic.

3. Communicate with Others

The next step towards becoming an entrepreneur is communication. How will you communicate your vision? You communicate your vision to others through your actions. Be persistent, determined and self-disciplined with your vision by setting goals for yourself and your business. Push forward and do the necessary actions to allow satisfaction in your life. As you communicate your vision with others, you will gain insights of how and with whom you need to share your vision. The best way to get your business publicized is through networking. Develop relationships in which your acquaintances will know you, like you and trust you.

4. Take Risks

Entrepreneurs are willing to take risks. It may be hard for you to step outside of your comfort zone and take risks, but it is something that every successful entrepreneur does. Look at each risk as an opportunity to learn and grow.

5. Be Accountable to Someone

After developing a business, you will be accountable to someone. How? You demonstrate accountability as you become responsible for yourself, others and the business. When you are accountable, tasks are accomplished and you know what changes need to be made to help your business succeed. Accountability is essential when you are planning on success.

If you desire change, look for opportunities where you can apply changes in your life. In the world we live in, individuals make choices to change or to stay standing. Becoming self reliant is most easily achieved when you start by building a foundation. This foundation starts with a desire, a vision, good communication of that vision, risks, and accountability. As you move towards becoming an entrepreneur, you will learn, grow and progress. Each step you take to become an entrepreneur will bring you closer to becoming self reliant, leading to greater wealth, happiness and success.

by Alan L. Olsen, CPA, MBA (tax)
Managing Partner
Greenstein Rogoff Olsen & Co. LLP

Change is constant in a leader’s life. A leader is always developing new ways in which they can improve, accomplish, and progress. Leadership skills are essential for success. If you desire to improve your leadership skills, the following tips will guide you in your efforts to become a better leader:

1. Think differently. If you are going to improve, you must be willing to change. Progress won’t come if you keep turning to the past. Develop new ideas and be innovative. Success often comes through change.

2. Focus on relationships. Remember that you are selling your ideas. Relationships are

key in order to do this. People must:

• Know you
• Like you
• Trust you

3. Learn to work smarter instead of harder. Change how you work. You can accomplish the same amount of work in less time when you keep focused. Staying focused on your goals will create a habit of working smarter.

4. Communicate, listen, and persist. Your communication skills are what others will see. Their judgment will deter-mine if they want to work with you. Become an excellent communicator, a better listener, and develop persistence. Success starts with you.

5. Focus on success. Be positive. Positive thinking often precedes success. You can accomplish your greatest desires, if you focus on success.

If you desire success, look for opportunities where you can apply innovations in your life. In the changing world we live in, individuals make choices to adapt or to stay standing. A leader will understand and make the changes necessary to become successful.

Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen & Co. (GROCO®) is the trusted financial advisor to the venture capitalists who helped build companies such as Google, Skype, America Online, Oracle, Sun Microsystems, Compaq, Macromedia, eBay, and Genentech. Consistently ranked as one of the top accounting firms in the Bay Area, our firm provides consulting services and accounting services to high net-worth individuals and closely-held businesses. www.groco.com

Being a successful entrepreneur means more than starting new ventures every other day. It means the right attitude towards a business and the determination and grit to achieve success.

A successful entrepreneur has a strong inner drive that helps him or her to succeed. Let us take a look at the qualities that go into making a successful entrepreneur.

An entrepreneur should be excited by the prospect of work. They should always have a strong drive to succeed and overcome obstacles. They should not only set big goals for themselves but also see that they are actually committed to achieving them regardless of the countless setbacks that occur.

A successful entrepreneur always has a strong sense of self confidence and a healthy opinion of their skills and abilities. Their personality is assertive and strong. They are always focused and do not really dilly dally with the issues at hand. This is what makes them different from the rest.

An entrepreneur should always be on the lookout for new innovations and ideas in order to emerge as a winner. They should constantly reinvent themselves and think of better ways to run a business and improvise on the products and services offered by them.

Another important quality of a successful entrepreneur is openness in adopting change. They should not be headstrong and stubborn when it comes to choosing other options. Change is the only thing that is constant in business no one can make any profits on age old methods.

The path to success lies in evolution, whether it is evolution of ideas, services and products or technology. An entrepreneur should have an open mind and eagerness to learn new things. It is imperative to understand that the only way to keep at the top is to keep on changing and evolving with the time. An entrepreneur should be aware of the latest service techniques and technology in order to serve the clients in a better way.

Competition should never scare an entrepreneur. In fact, competition is what a successful entrepreneur thrives on. Monopoly is never a good thing. This is because in monopoly there is no scope for improvisation or change.

An entrepreneur should be highly energetic and motivated. He or she should always be on the go. At the same time, the commitment levels have to be pretty high. Only when a person is motivated can he do justice to his line of work.

Accepting rejection or constructive criticism can go a long way in making an entrepreneur successful. Criticism shows what he or she is not doing properly or where change is needed. However it must be remembered that accepting criticism is a very important way of getting success. This is because a person will then be aware of the shortcomings of his business and accordingly make amends. Hence accepting criticism is actually a good way of improvising.

Passion, resourcefulness, willingness to improvise and listen to others and strong determination to succeed is what makes an entrepreneur successful. And this is what you have to keep in mind as well if you want to be a successful entrepreneur yourself.

---

About the Author:
Brian Armstrong makes it easy to learn the secrets of todays top business owners. To discover the “7 Essential Steps to Starting a Business” in his Free Online Course, visit this site now: Successful Entrepreneur

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com

By Ethan Hill