heart of a leader

8/8/2019 Heart of a Leader

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The Heart of a LeaderInsights on the Art of Influence

Excerpts from the Book by

Ken Blanchard


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People who produce good

results feel good aboutthemselves.

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Good results make people happy and confident. They

will look up for still better results. A Good Leader

enables them to acquire or achieve the best results.


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Dont wait until people do

things exactly right beforeyou praise them

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Praise and Pat your people at every stage of

their progress. Give them feedback to do still

better; you dont have to wait for the work to

be completed to compliment one.


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Feedback is the breakfast of

the Champions

5LFN7DWH

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It is important to give proper feedback on

performance of your people, for them to know

where they did well and where they went wrong. It

must be a matter of routine.


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No one can make you

inferior without yourpermission

(OHDQRU5RRVHYHOW

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Choose to feel good about yourself. Even whenone criticizes you on something, take it as a

feedback for doing better things. You don't have

to take that you are bad just because some one

points out your mistake. Its just a help from him

for you to correct.


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None of us is as smart as

all of us

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In a team working situation, everyones

contribution is important. And everyonecontributes too.


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Things not worth doing arenot worth doing well

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Choose to do the most important and urgent ones

to do first, than falling prey to the tyranny of

urgency and doing unimportant tasks. You may

miss out important ones.


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Success is not for ever and

failure is not fatal

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Okay, you celebrate your victories. But, keep

in mind you have to work for your next

achievement, may be in a still better scale.Likewise, if you had a defeat on something,

bemoan for a few hours. Sit up next. Defeat is

not permanent as, interestingly, success also.


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When you stop learning you

stop growing

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Learning must be a continuous phenomenon.

Every day and every time, learn something.The day you stop learning you fail to acquire

the competence you need to face the present

moment challenge.


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In life, what you resist,

persistsWerner Erhard

When you see a problem, attend to it. If you

postpone, or keep it apart, it chases you with muchmore vigor. Never, ever, slip out yourself from the

responsibility of doing anything.


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Do not work harder,

work smarterThink, Strategize and Prioritize your work.

Dont jump into action and work harder ;

Lord Vinayaka was smarter to get his Mango,as compared to his brother who had gone all

round the world, for the same mango - only to

lose it.


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Nice guys appear to finish last,

but usually they are running ina different race

Persons with admirable values may

apparently fail in a few assignments. But, inthe long run they win.


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In managing people it is easier

to loosen up than tighten up

It makes good sense to be relatively tough when

you start with your people and then going to nicer

part of it later. Being goody goody in thebeginning may put you in an embarrassment if

ever you have to be tough with some people.


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Anything worth doing does

not have to be done perfectly- at first

Good performance is a journey; not a

destination. Allow some time for people to go

perfect in their jobs.


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What motivates people

is

what motivates people

Find out what really motivates your people and

work on it, than going by standard formulae.


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Life is all about

getting As

When you teach the students the answers for the

final exams right from the beginning of the year-they get A at the end of the year. Likewise, when

you clearly say the performance expectations and

targets well at the beginning, .they get A - and you

are pleased.


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Create raving fans*

Satisfied customers arenot good enough

Your customers should speak for you. Keep such

relationship with them that they are literally part of

your sales force.


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If you want to know why

your people are not

performing well, then

step up to the mirror and

take a peekEnsure that you help your people to win.

Honestly!


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Managing only for profit is

like playing tennis with youreye on the scoreboard and

not on the ball-Ichek Adizes

Your focus should be on your customers and

employees besides the bottom line you have targeted.


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If you want your people

to be responsible, beresponsive to their

needsRespond to your peoples needs sincerely. They will

be responsible in their attitude.


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Its more important as a

Manager to be respectedthan to be popular

Its not just enough to be an expert in your job. Ora record of achievements on your part. It is

important, people respect you for your values,

your approach and your responsiveness.


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People with humility dont

think less of themselves,they just think of

themselves less.Think of your people and their needs.


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Never! Never! Never!

Never!

Give up.-Winston Churchill

Be persistent. Let your actions correspond with your

words. Be committed.


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Trying is just a noisy

way of not doingsomething

Being interested is far different from being

committed. Attempting is not just enough.One should have a commitment to finish what

he had planned earlier.


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Good thoughts in your

head not delivered meanssquat

When you feel good about your people, tell them.

Keeping them just in your head is of no use.


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You may cheat the whole world

down the pathway of life and getpats on your back as you pass,

but your final reward will be

heartaches and tears, if you havecheated the man in the glass

- Dale WimbrowBe Honest!


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Sometimes when the numbers

look right, the decision is still

wrong!Keeping an eye on Profits alone will not do good. Be creative all

the time. Ken suggests three steps to be creative:

1. Information Gathering- asking your people to pool ideas in a

group2. Right question - Making people ask relevant and useful

questions and

3. Inward Listening- Enabling people sit quietly for sometimes

for problem solutions to illuminate in them


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Love is being able to say,

youre sorryThank you and Im sorry are two expressions

that a leader must conscientiously use. A little

bit of shedding of ego is necessary for thispractice.When you are wrong appropriately

say sorry to those offended. It earns lot of

respect and love.


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Good religion is like good

foot ball; it isnt talk, itsaction.Faith and intuition are great tools for success.

Nevertheless, constant vigil on what you must doto sustain and grow are equally essential. He

believes in your action as much as you believe in

Him.


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Take what you do

seriously, but yourselflightly.Sense of humor is one of the four essential

qualities of a successful person, the otherthree being Hard Work, Self Confidence and

Clear thinking - as Wayne Dyer said once.


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The trouble with being in a

rat race is that even if youwin the race, youre still a

rat -Lily TomlinGive some time for your relaxation andenjoyment, whether it be a calm

listening to your people at home or a

bit of meditation.


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Think Big!

Act Big!

Be Big!- Norman Vincent Peale

Feel great - that is, you have confidence in you that

you can do anything when someone else does it. All

you need is to work for what you believe you can.


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Real communication

happens when people feelsafeEncourage people to give feedback. Make them

comfortable when the communicate with you.

Listen, dont argue. Actively participate when onecommunicates. Above all compliment

communication.Thank the communicator if

appropriate. Dont let one down, by

inappropriately quoting one.


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All good performance

starts with Clear GoalsOne must know which road one must take

for ones journey. And choosing the road

depends upon what is at the end of the road.So, know about your destination before you

start your journey.


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Different Strokes for

Different folks.Influencing styles should be different for

different people. Tell the immature, sell to the

unwilling but capable, participate with thewilling and mildly capable, and delegate to

the willing and capable. The message is find

out what level the follower is? And use

appropriate style.


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Different Strokes for the

Same folksOkay; fact remains same folks some times

change their colours. Learner stops learning.

Enthusiastic goes moody. Good worker gets into

reservations because of some unexpected side

effect. So, watch the folks and attend to them to

rejuvenate their willingness and capabilities.


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If God had wanted us to

talk more than listen, Hewould have given two

mouths instead of twoears! Two eyes too!


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Life is what happens to you

while youre planning on

doing something else

-John Lennon

Disappointments are parts of success stories. Go

ahead with your next opportunity without

brooding over with your present unexpected.


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Without Vision,

the people perish-Proverbs 29:18 (Paraphrased)

Vision is not just looking at.It is a sensitive,super sensitive look, on the opportunities and

scope for you to achieve what you are capable of

achieving - today, tomorrow and at the end of

your life span.


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If you dont seek

perfection, you cannever reach excellence

Keep the highest target in mind wheneveryou start doing any thing. This is just enough

attitude will not lead to excellence.


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People without information

cannot act responsibly; People

with information arecompelled to act responsibly

When you give responsibility to people, give them

sufficient knowledge to exercise their authority.Your receptionist needs all the information of the

company, than needing to refer someone to answer a

query of a caller. Your worker needs to know what

purpose the end product of his labor is put into.


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A river without bank is a

large puddleAutonomy and empowerment require well defined

boundaries to be effective: These boundaries are,

Ken says, Purpose, Values, Goals, Roles andStructure. Clarify these boundaries well enough to

your people - for them to be empowered properly.


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Your game is only as

good as your practiceEven the very famous Film actor, rehearses

umpteen number of times, before he acts in

front of the film camera. Learning, Practice,trial runs are all very helpful for one to be

exemplary in ones work performance.


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All empowerment exists

in the present momentGive full focus on what you do today. Equip

with more knowledge and skill even to do your

present assignment. Celebrate your presentvictories too. Although, past experience gives

you knowledge and confidence; and future

action plans are important to follow, present is

much more valuable for ones success.


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We are not human beings

having spiritual experience; we

are spiritual beings having

human experience

Remember you are an endowment of Him andevery one likewise, for doing some important thing

in this world. And always!


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You get from People

what you expectWhen you underestimate peoples capabilities,

they conform to your wishes by adhering to

your underestimation. See people without any

prejudice or judgement. Work with them, enablethem, encourage them and compliment them -

for whatever work they had done.


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I have never seen a U-haul

attached to a hearse

We brought nothing when we arrived and we are

going to take nothing when we leave. But in

between we gained lot of love , gave lot of love,

we stored lot of love and left lot of love. Is it not

exciting?


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Inquire within

Respond to your inner voice as often as you can.

It tells you what is right and what is wrong. In a

given situation, if your inner voice is not able to

guide you, ask people to help you. Share your

reflections with people who would understand.Life is a beautiful play for those who inquire

within.


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People in Organizations

need to developfascination for what

doesnt work

Every mistake you commit is another opportunity to

learn. So, look up for anything that strikes your eye

as mistake and examine it.


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Choose work you love

and you will never haveto work a day in your

life.-Confucius

Start loving what you do. If it does not work,

find out what you should do to love your work.


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Winning coaches make

their teams audible-readyAudible is a foot-ball term to mean last minute

strategic instructions. Every member of your team

should be ready to take your alerts in time andtrain them with such sensitivity that they go with

the team for working together.


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Never punish a learner.

When a learner makes a mistake, help him by

guiding him to do better - to do correctly. If you

punish him for his mistakes, he might stop

learning the right things.


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People are Okay, its

their behavior thats aproblem sometimes.When some one does something wrong, you may

reprimand him for what he did. You may evenexplain what rippling effects his deed might

cause. But, always reaffirm that he will not do

such wrong again. Express your confidence in

him sincerely.


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Consistency isnt

behaving the same wayall the time.

Being consistent means, not behaving the sameway for every thing, same way for similar

things. The message is Ensure your responses

are predictable.


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It is the first time in the history

of business that you can be

great at what you are doing

today and be out of business

tomorrow.Changes are rather fast these days, with such afast information flow and innovations. So, be

tuned to meet them.


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The only job security you have

today is your commitment tocontinuous personal

improvement

Your competence is challenged every minute. Anew term appears before you, responding which

alone will make you tick. So, learn. Go on

learning every minute.


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When you know what you stand

for, you can turn around on a

dime and have five centschange

Make your people value driven, than goaldriven.


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Share the cash and then share

the congratulations.

When your people do well, you must

congratulate them - of course. But, before that

ensure that you share your prosperity too insome form or other. May be good wage level!


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There is no pillow as soft as a

clear conscience.

- John Wooden

Deal with your employees, customers and even

competitors with a clear conscience.


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Its surprising how much you can

accomplish, if you dont care

who gets the credit-Abraham Lincoln

T

he inner dialogue of yours that clarifies thatsomeone might get the credit - might spoil your

enthusiasm and effort too. As Bhagavan says in

Gita - You have right only over your duty. Never

on the results


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Positive thinkers have positive

results, because they are notafraid of problems.

Take problems as opportunities to grow. All you

have to do is to work on finding the best way tosolve that problem. In fact, the day you are

without a problem is the day you lost in life.


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Early in life people give up

their health togain wealth..In

later life people give up some

of their wealth to regain health

Keep your body and mind trim always. Eatright, sweat right. Anything that would

interfere with your health just avoid it. It is

difficult to be so sometimes, but remember,

you have little choice on this aspect.


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Servant leadership is more

about character than style

Ken quotes biblical image of servant leadership - the

servant leaderShepherd is there because Flock is

there, and not otherwise.


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Ducks quack;

Eagles soar.

Mere talking is no good. Walking the talk isimportant. Act.


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Eagles flourish when they

are free to fly.

When you identify a performer, give him more freedom

to operate and he will reach greater heights.


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New Today;

Obsolete tomorrow.Today is different from yesterday. Almost in

everything. Find out, what ticks today than

wondering why yesterdays technique did notwork out today!


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G.O.L.F. Stands for

Game Of LifeF

irstGolf game is comparable to life. In good breaks

and bad breaks, whether you deserve or dont

deserve, either. There you react to your own

performance. It brings best and worst in people.You have the lifes training in Golf game

-Ken


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Leadership is not something

you do topeople; Its

something you do withpeople.

Leadership is team oriented. Your followers

are your team mates - not just order takers.Your followers are your hands - not just tools.

Your followers are your admirers - not just

subordinates.


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Dont settle for anything less

than aF

ortunate 500

company.

Motivated customers, Inspired employees,

Enjoying Owners and significant Others whocherish their connections with you. These are

important for a Fortunate Company. These are

available when your Core values meaningfully

practiced.


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Take time to identify core

values.Identifying core values is not only important but

also difficult. Disney identified four core

values, viz, Safety, Courtesy, the Show and

Efficiency. Likewise, you may find your CoreValues by sincere and hard efforts.


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Core values must be

communicated.

It is important to communicate properly and

effectively to every one in the Organization.

Yes, at every level.


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Walk your talk.

Your value system must be visible. When you say

something, it must be practiced.


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Knowing where you are

going is the first step togetting there.

One must make ones mission statement in

life. It can only be the guiding force for

progress.


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As a leader, the most

important earthly relationship

you can cultivate is

relationship with yourself.

Respond to your inner voice and dreams. First,find out why you are here and what you intend

to do. Simply stated, what you want to be at the

end of your life?


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Purpose can never be about

achievement; its much bigger

Identify your lifes mission carefully. Put aside

your lesser self and go with your best self.

Reach it step by step!.


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Purpose has to do with ones

calling - deciding what business

you are in as a person.The responsibility of deciding your life and

career is with you. You seek for that which will

make you satisfied when you start your lifes

mission. Work for that and work on that. Othersmay see you differently some times. It is your

effort that would make others see you the same

way as you want them to see you!.


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