Part of Leading Without a Title is keeping things simple. In a world where business and society moves towards complexity, I encourage you to embrace simplicity (the place where true success + genius resides). Yes, there are many shiny toys that the media/the crowd invite us to chase. Yet to truly win personally and at work, the smartest move we can make is to get back to the fundamentals of mastery. And work them with a staggeringly pure focus.
Two summers ago I skied at Coronet Peak in New Zealand. It was an unforgettable 21 days for me, for many reasons (from getting my first taste of heliskiing to writing the first draft of "The Leader Who Had No Title" in one of the most beautiful settings my eyes have yet to witness). But one thing still stands out.
It was late in the morning on a powder-filled day. The head of the ski school, Michel Marchand - now a close friend - was giving me some lessons to amp up my game. As we skied down the peak, he pointed out to a skier in a flashy aerodynamic outfit who was doing some beginner type drills. "See this woman," he pointed. "Yes," I replied. "She's on our Olympic team," Michel said. "Her coach is getting her back to the fundamentals and ensuring they are flawless. Until her basic moves are perfect, advanced moves don't matter."
A profound insight. Those of us in business love to pursue the latest innovation and pursue the hottest trend. Especially online, we are bombarded with a massive array of new ideas and mind-numbing messages. And yet, what I deeply believe is that enduring success in business and in life comes down to doing a few simple things brilliantly well. Things like delivering on your promises, adding superb value to as many people as possible, iterating on a daily basis, being optimistic + honorable, developing your team. And having fun. Simple ideas? Yes. Easy to execute on with remarkable consistency? No.
So as you wind down 2010 and welcome in 2011, may I gently challenge you to strip out the complexity from your work and home life and return to the handful of things that matter. Find some time to be alone. Pull out your journal. Write down all the things you need to say no to - so you can start saying yes to the opportunities that will make the new year the single best year of your life.
Keep Leading Without a Title, Robin
Leadership Quotes and Ideas
"Time invested in complaining is time stolen from creating." - Robin Sharma
"Never look back unless you are planning to go that way." - Henry David Thoreau
"Great minds have purposes - others have wishes" - Washington Irving
Conversations with Eccentrics: Only leaders (and we all can Lead Without a Title) who are willing to think differently can out-innovate everyone around them. Thinking the same thoughts produces the same results. Leadership is all about being The Brave Creative out in front in your marketspace (and your career) versus doing things the way everyone else does them. Business doesn't need more copycats. Business needs more Dreamers.
Apple came up with the gorgeous (and now ubiquitous iPod). Now there are so many products with the letter "i" in front of it I've lost track. Too much copying. Not enough leading.
A well-respected business leader told me about a CEO who did something that made me smile. He hired a young wonderkid fresh out of business school - a kid who was not only brilliant but thought differently and wasn't afraid to voice his eccentric thoughts. The mandate of the new hire? Sit on the company's management team and consistently challenge ideas that fostered the status quo. This man was paid to push the envelope. To evangelize innovation. To make things better by being unorthodox in a world where most of us are afraid to leave the crowd.
So today, have conversations with people who are Originals. Strive to leave the Safe Harbor of The Known. Make things better. Play bigger. And dream. December 2010 newsletter. http://www.robinsharma.com/
For quality products, a global business, original creative writing visit:
http://www.wellness-thru-prosperity.com/
www.prosperity-thru-wellness.com/coi
http://www.prosperity-thru-wellness.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wellness-thru-Prosperity/176756739006790
http://www.houseofbeesting.com/
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