.: Unexpected Wisdom from a Teenager
By:Steve Kaye
Category:Home / Business / Management
If you have ever traveled across country by train, you know that meals are served with community seating. That means you can meet new people with every meal.
In late March I took the train home (to Southern California) from an engagement in Massachusetts. One evening my meal companions consisted of a very nice couple and a teenager. At first, the teenager had little to say. (Parents, does this sound familiar?) But through my questions he told us that he was 16, wanted to be an attorney, and could bench press 325 pounds.
Then I asked him, "What three recommendations would you give someone in 8th grade about high school?" Without hesitation he gave an answer that all of us can use. Here are his recommendations, with my comments on how they apply to leaders:
1) Watch who you hang out with.
Certainly, your friends define who you are.
Leaders know this and thus build organizations that consist of people who reinforce productive work, discourage destructive behavior, and provide a variety of complementary skills.
A wise leader will direct a person's development by placing the person with colleagues who have beneficial characteristics. Similarly, this explains why some leaders work with a coach who provides a contrast to their preferred style.
You can also manage your personal growth by associating with people who have achieved what you aspire to have. For example, one entrepreneur left a mastermind group of millionaires to join a group of multimillionaires.
2) The next four years are very important.
Actually, every "next four years" will have a significant impact on you. Your actions and decisions during that time will determine everything that follows. And the key to making the most of time is having a vision, setting goals, and making plans.
Most leaders work with a business plan. And some have a business plan for their career and other important aspects of their life.
3) It can be a lot of fun.
Yes, the next four years and the rest of your life can be a lot of fun. If you choose to make it so.
My train ride serves as an excellent example of this.
When I bought my train ticket I decided that I was going to enjoy the ride. And I can report that I had a ball. In fact, I told everyone that I met on the train that I was the happiest guy on the train.
Now, let's be realistic about this. A train offers some challenges. For example, the train rocks from side to side as it rattles along over old track, switches, and rail crossings. The train blows a whistle, which you can hear all day (and night) long. The train provides limited space. I spent the first night in coach, curled up on my seat and the suitcases that I stacked on the floor between my seat and the one in front. My sleeper (for the next two nights) consisted of a 3.25 feet wide, 7 ft. long, 6.5 ft high space.
And yet I was the happiest guy on the train. Because I decided to enjoy the ride.
Similarly, we can enjoy our ride through life if we decide to enjoy it. And leaders exert a tremendous influence on the culture around them by the energy they radiate. If you act like you're enjoying the ride, others will enjoy the ride, too. And that leads to greater productivity.
Article keywords: leadership, communication, trust, winning trust, time management, respect, questions
Article Source: http://www.articles32.com
- - -
Steve Kaye helps leaders hold effective meetings. He is an IAF Certified Professional Facilitator, author, and speaker. His meeting facilitation and leadership workshops create success for everyone. Call 714-528-1300 for details. Visit www.stevekaye.com for a free report.
.: New Management Articles
1). Business Liquidators Can Make Difficult Time Easier For Business Owners
If your business is in trouble and the only way out is to go out of business or to sell inventory, a business liquidators company might make all the difference. This article gives you tips on how to use one.
2). Business Coach: Is Your Website Search Engine Friendly to Increase Sales
The main objective of business coaching is to help a business owner create a distinctive business plan. It can operate in any segment of commerce, from a traditional business setup to a business start-up and even e-business.
3). The Basic Tools of Business Coaching
Business coaching has evolved over the years, owing to the changing demands around the world. Business coaching has opened a myriad of opportunities to people aspiring to pursue a self-motivated career.
4). The Psychological Aspect to Executive Coaching
Business coaching is an essential element of the business world and has provided a baffling range of career options today.
5). The Evidence Based Approach to Business Coaching
In order to coach successfully, you need to employ tried and tested coaching methods and tools. You can achieve the desired results and performance in the workplace with established coaching techniques.
6). The Transition from Manager to Coach
In the present fast paced world, where almost every organization and business firm employs educated personnel and a trained workforce, there hardly seems to be an urgent need for managers.
7). What Makes Executives Desire Coaching
Business owners, executives and managers move up the corporate ladder, based on their individual technical skills.
.: Top Management Articles
1). EQ vs. IQ: Why Do Smart People Fail?
First we need to understand that emotional intelligence (EQ) is not the opposite of the intelligence quotient (IQ); EQ is actually complementary to IQ resembled in academic intelligence and cognitive skills, and studies actually show that our emotional states affect the way our brain functions as well as its processing speed (Cryer qtd. in Kemper). Studies have even shown that Albert Einstein's superior intellectual ability may have been linked to the part of the brain that supports psychological functions, dubbed the amygadla.
2). Infopreneur: The “No Risk” Web Entrepreneur
You may be one of a growing multitude seriously thinking of starting a small business. You would like to strike out on your own, but you hesitate to take the plunge. You may not know where to begin and – most likely – you have nothing to sell ... or so you think! Become an “infopreneur” then!
Share What You Know
An “infopreneur” is a pure information provider.
3). Chairing A Meeting The Most effective Way
How many times have you attended a meeting where the only thing that gets decided is the date of the next meeting? Or where one person dominates the meeting? Or the meeting is swamped with trivia or unrelated information?
It is a commonly held assumption that chairing a meeting is simply a matter of reading out the agenda – that is assuming there is an agenda and that the addenda actually covers the topics which are most pertinent to the matter in hand.
4). The Secret To Overcoming Resistance to Change
Mahatma Gandhi stated that no one can oppress you more than you oppress yourself.
I believe this to be true, especially when it comes to change. I have witnessed people, putting up with horrible conditions rather than change. And so, it is no wonder it is considered one of the most difficult things to deal with for a business.
For many people, there is nothing more fearful.
5). Nine Reasons Why Mentoring Matters to You
There are many roles we play or hats we wear in our lives. We are professionals, family members, brothers, sisters, co-workers, leaders, coaches, friends, parents, and neighbors to name just a few. While you may not wear all of the hats I listed, you can likely add several more that I left out! Many of these roles are a given – we don’t have much choice of having the role – they come with being a responsible adult.
6). Conventional business change is the problem not the solution
Since the beginning of business, various methods for operating and developing the business have been identified and refined. These have evolved into the conventional methods that we use today. We improve management and effect business change by adding new conventional methods on the existing methods in place.
We now have a large business change and management improvement industry.
7). 6 Ways to Maximize Learning
Here's how to gain the most from training events.
1) Know what you want
Before the workshop, set learning goals for yourself. What do you want to learn? How can this program help you? What would make you feel that your time was well spent?
2) Ask for what you want
As the program unfolds, ask questions that guide the presentation toward the information that you need.