Competition (the fear of losing something, the threat of being penniless or the fear of being left out) gets a lot of people out of bed in the morning. It really motivates them! Competition is a vestige of the survival instinct, so it’s often not you responding; but rather the animal inside that’s reacting. There’s nothing wrong with competition-it works very well. But at some point, a person moves beyond competition and “gets” the true strength in cooperation (win-win or win-win-win) of strategic allies, joint ventures and cooperation. You come to understand and value cooperation as a highly effective way to make more money and add more value. While competition is a push structure, cooperation is a much healthier pull structure.

“The first step to success is to stop lying to yourself”

I would dare say that the vast majority of people would consider themselves honest, ethical people.  In fact, I was in a room of 500 top producing agents when the speaker asked who in the room felt they had integrity.  98% of the room raised their hands.  When asked to lower their hand if they had ever lied to themselves or made a promise, resolution or goal and not kept it all the hands went down. 

Our quest for success starts within and to truly address the issues that are getting in the way of our achieving our wildest and most audacious dreams we need to have an honest look at ourselves.  Our justification, excuses and reasons are all hindering us.  The first step to our success is to face the truth about our situation. 

I am not talking about condemnation, guilt or shame – none of those have a place in helping us.  But honesty and truth, yes, honesty and truth will allow us to see things for what they are.  Once problems and issues are identified our mind has a way of seeking answers that were previously hidden from us.  I’m not talking in a meta-physical way, but in a very practical way.  Our mind blocks millions of things a day from our 5 senses that it doesn’t feel are relevant.  When we face our issues, the possible solutions become relevant and our mind will allow us to see and hear them.

If we want to achieve success, whether it is an increase in income, growth in business or overall life balance, we must first face the truth of where we are and the very real disparity of where we want to go and seek the solutions that will allow us to bridge the gap. 

Remember, The first step to success is to stop lying to yourself.

“Learn to say ‘No’ to the good so you can say ‘Yes’ to the best”

Remember Nancy Regan’s “Just say no” campaign that ran in the 90’s? It seems her advice is as relevant to the agenda items that want to crowd your schedule as to drugs.  We are faced with an unending and on-going influx of decisions. We make thousands of them every day. They arrange from the small to the much, much, more life-defining. Most agents, who live each day in a people pleasing business, tend to say “yes” far too much. They over-commit to others and as a result, sacrifice the things they most value. Our families, friends and even our individual self tend to be put on the back-burner while we indulge the urgent before the important. Yes, it’s important to work hard.  But it’s essential to learn how to say “no” to the urgent so that you can say “yes” those that mean the most to you.

I am a life-long learner and hold to the philosophy that I can learn something from everyone.  With that said, some books are better than others and every once in a while I come across a really great one.  It’s Not About the Coffee: Leadership Principles from a Life at Starbucks by Howard Behar is one of those books.  In fact, I would reccomend this book as one of the top 5 I have read this year. Howard Behar is not only the author of It’s Not About The Coffee: Leadership Principles from a Life at Starbucks. He is also the former president of Starbucks Coffee Company International. He started working at Starbucks in 1989 when the company had just begun to venture outside the Northwest region. Initially serving as vice president of sales and operations, he grew the retail business from 28 stores to more than 400 stores by the time he was named president of Starbucks Coffee International in 1995. Under Behar’s leadership, Starbucks opened its first location in Tokyo in 1996. Following this historic opening, over the next three years he introduced the Starbucks brand across Asia and the United Kingdom. After a two-year hiatus, he returned to Starbucks as President of Starbucks North America until his retirement in January 2003. He has been a director of the company since 1996.

Here’s a synopsis of the books fantastic points:

1. Know Who You Are: Wear One Hat

Our success is directly related to our clarity and honesty about who we are, who we’re not, where we want to go, and how we’re going to get there. When organizations are clear about their values, purpose, and goals, they find the energy and passion to do great things.

2. Know Why You’re Here: Do It Because It’s Right, Not Because It’s Right for Your Resume

The path to success comes from doing things for the right reasons. You can’t succeed if you don’t know what you’re trying to accomplish and without everyone being aligned with the goal. Look for purpose and passion in yourself and the people you lead. If they’re not there, do something.

3. Think Independently: The Person Who Sweeps the Floor Should Choose the Broom

People are not “assets,” they are human beings who have the capacity to achieve results beyond what is thought possible. We need to get rid of rules—real and imagined—and encourage the independent thinking of others and ourselves.

4. Build Trust: Care, like You Really Mean It

Caring is not a sign of weakness but rather a sign of strength, and it can’t be faked—within an organization, with the people we serve, or in the local or global community. Without trust and caring we’ll never know what could have been possible. Without freedom from fear, we can’t dream and we can’t reach our potential.

5. Listen for the Truth: The Walls Talk

Put the time into listening, even to what’s not said, and amazing results will follow. You’ll know what you’re customers want, you’ll know why the passion is missing from your organization, you’ll learn solutions to problems that have been sitting there waiting to be picked.

6. Be Accountable: Only the Truth Sounds like the Truth

No secrets, no lies of omission, no hedging and dodging. Take responsibility and say what needs to be said, with care and respect.

7. Take Action: Think like a Person of Action, and Act like a Person of Thought

Find the sweet spot of passion, purpose, and persistence. “It’s all about the people” isn’t an idea, it’s an action. Feel, think, do. Find the balance, but act.

8. Face Challenge: We Are Human Beings First

Use all the principles to guide you during the hardest times. If the challenge is too big, if you’re stuck, take smaller bites. But remember to put people first, and you’ll find the guidance you need.

9. Practice Leadership: The Big Noise and the Still, Small Voice

Leading can be the noisy, “I’m here!” kind of thing. But don’t ever forget that leaders are just ordinary human beings. Don’t let the noise crowd out the truth. Listen to your still, small voice. Let quiet be your guide.

10. Dare to Dream: Say “Yes,” the Most Powerful Word in the World

Big dreams mean big goals, big hopes, big joys. Say “yes” and enjoy all that you are doing, and help others to do the same.

Here are some notes from a seminar I went to with Zig Ziglar that I thought I’d share.

1. Leadership starts with you. 
2. If you are to manage others, you must be able to manage yourself. 
3. People perform best when they are appreciated. 
4. As we have all been created by the great Creator, we all have the power to be creative. 
5. Attitude is value. Leaders listen to those they lead.
6. Leaders don’t just make decisions, they provide positive solutions.

Balanced goals are important.  List your top five goals.  Consider them and your daily activities.  Are they balanced? 

Leaders don’t just make decisions they provide positive solutions.  List two positive solutions that you can implement today.

Everyone wants to feel important.  What can you do to value those that you work and live with? 

Performing well at work is greatly influenced by a leader’s life at home.  This is your “home court advantage.”  List three things you can do to improve your home court advantage.

Good people stay in organizations where they can grow, where they are respected and where they feel appreciated.  What are you doing to promote these characteristics in your organization?  List five people you should thank, or show appreciation for the work they are doing.  Now tell them.

They way people treat each other internally in an organization is the way they will treat people outside their organization.  What can you do to improve how your organization works together and treats one another?