June 23rd, 2009 - Success is about growing others...

"Before you are a leader, success is all about you. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others. It's about making the people who work for you smarter, bigger, and bolder. Nothing you do anymore as an individual matters except how you nurture and support your team and help its members increase their self-confidence. Yes, you will get your share of attention from up above-but only inasmuch as your team wins. Put another way: Your success as a leader will come not from what you do but from the reflected glory of your team.

First and foremost, you need to actively mentor your people. Exude positive energy about life and work that you are doing together, show optimism about the future, and care. Care passionately about each person's progress. Give your people feedback-not just at yearend and midyear performance reviews but after meetings, presentations, or visits to clients. Make every significant event a teaching moment. Discuss what you like about what they are doing and ways that they can improve. Your energy will energize those around you.

And there's no need for sugarcoating. Use total candor, which happens, incidentally, to be one of the defining characteristics of effective leaders.

Through it all, never forget -- you're a leader now. It's not about you anymore. It's about them."

-- Jack and Suzy Welch, Excerpt from "Ideas", The Business Week Magazine.

 I know that we have all heard these comments before in one form or another. However, I thought we could all use the reminder. If you are a leader, take heed. If you are on your way to becoming a leader, put this in your food for thought file to help guide you on your journey there.

This week, ask yourself if your actions as a leader are all about you or all about them.

Email me at info@cookietuminello.com to schedule your FREE Get Acquainted Session With Cookie to get you back on the right track and on the road to results.