You hear from top marketing gurus that the best way to make it to top is to become a leader.
What does this mean and how can this help you?
A fellow networker, Josh Garcia wrote a fantastic article about Leadership.
And, I’d like to expand on this just a bit to get you to think more along the lines of what it takes to be a leader.
What about these three values do they have in common:
1. Providing value
2. Sense of value
3. Always self-improve
John Maxwell, the master of leadership, provides us the answer here…
“Leadership is to influence – nothing more, nothing less.”
When we are providing value, radiate with a sense of value, andwe are always self-improving ourselves, we find what we are really doing is strenthening our ability to influence.
We are preparing the field we are about to lead.
How Does This Apply to Me?
So, if we know leadership means the ability for the leader to influence others, does this mean they are going to have instant success?
Yes and no!
First let’s explain why NO is a fitting answer.
No, because when it comes to leadership there are so many different variables that amount to success.
For example, you can be a great leader who guides others but at the same time you can be a lazy pain in the _ _ _ _ and do nothing but expect others to do all the work for you.
There is a saying that you can’t get something for nothing. You need to put something in, to be able to receive.
To their dismay, acting in this manner will soon catch up with them and they will find themselves losing that leadership status.
On the flipside, it CAN be, emphasis on can, if what the leader is doing is also providing mutual benefit.
For example, you have a very successful home business where you have put time and effort into it and you have developed a process by which all of your distributors can easily follow.
This is a perfect example of how you are providing mutual benefit, and at the same time by demonstrating this, you are influencing others.
What do you think John Maxwell’s take on this would be? I believe he would agree with me 100%.
What About Those Who Don’t Grasp the Power of Leadership?
Some misfortunate people may intrepret leadership as influencing others by cohersing them into doing something they don’t feel is appropriate or ethical.
This missinterpretation of leadership does not work and I definitely don’t recommend acting in this manner.
Given all of that you now know about leadership, what would be a better way to define leadership?
Let’s start with John Mawell’s definition and tweaking just a bit.
“Leadership is the ability to influence others where there is mutual benefit gained.” ~ Jerome Ratliff
I’ve come to realize, being a student of leadership and applying it in my life and business, that it’s not just about influencing.
It’s about influencing people who are willing to get something in return.
True leaders understand this and they operate their life like this. This is no surprise, but it may not be quite as apparent to the average Joe or Betty.
What can you do?
Picture this, you’re a home business owner that just got started in the industry. You’ve been doing your homework on what it takes to be successful. You completely understand it’s not a get rich quick scheme, although you can get rich quick (not always monetarliy by the way).
You’ve been in business for 3 weeks now and you’re so pumped with all of the new information you learned, from your upline (leader) and the various courses you took, that you want to know where to begin.
The best time to begin is now and the best place to start is at home. You see, leadership doesn’t have to directly relate to your business. It needs to relate to ALL that you do.
If you have children, then you’re being a leader for them as we speak. They are learning from your example.
If you don’t have any children then think of anyone you know and act in a confident manner that demonstrates how you lead.
Please don’t confuse leading with being rude. I see a lot of this, this is not how to lead. Remember mutual benefit!
If you’re rude, how is that providing mutual benefit? It’s not.
The more you practice being a leader with everyone you come in contact with, the sooner people will begin to recognize you. When they do recognize you, they will instantly become interested in what you are doing.
Are you a leader? If you think you are, tell us why you think so by commenting below.
Jerome Ratliff
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Good stuff, Jerome. Whether we realize it or not, we are all leaders. People watch us everyday in everything we do and make decide how they perceive us from our actions.
Never forget that no matter how much of a beginner you are, there is always someone coming behind you that looks to you as a leader.
Talk soon,
Mike
.-= Mike Paul´s last blog ..Big Things Happening Tomorrow… =-.
Hey Mike,
You got that right, we are always leading.
~ Jerome Ratliff
Hey Jerome,
First, I would like to say thanks for the mention.
Now, I’m a big fan of John Maxwell. You did a great job with this post. Heck! You did a fantastic job with it. For those folks that never heard of Maxwell. Go pick up one of his many books.
Chat with you later…
Josh
.-= Josh Garcia´s last blog ..Do You Want To Know How To Be Generating Free Online Traffic Coming To You? =-.
Hi Josh,
You’re welcome man. I enjoyed your post so much, that I felt compelled to continue on with what you had.
I do feel that it’s important for people to understand the strength of having true leadership can mean to someone’s life.
Yeah, John Maxwell is the man.
Catch you later,
Jerome Ratliff
Hey Jerome,
Some great points about leadership here that everyone should take on board. As you mention there are a lot of variables that amount to success and I hope people will read this and take that in.
Thanks for your post.
Wayne Vassell, signing out…
.-= Wayne Vassell´s last blog ..How To Keep Your Sanity While Building Your Blog Empire! =-.
Hey Wayne,
Yes, there are lots, and why it’s important to take all of them into consideration.
Talk to you later,
Jerome Ratliff
Hey Jerome,
This is a good, well thought-out post on leadership.
It took me a while to get this concept… When I was younger, I used to be pretty independent — and never thought about actually trying to LEAD other people to help them do better.
A key for me, though, is — do they actually WANT to be lead?
And this has ramifications in a lot of aspects of our business (like direct sales through PPC, for example)… Do they actually WANT what you’re marketing?
P.S. Have you ever watched “The Apprentice”?
That’s a great show to observe what works and what doesn’t as far as leadership goes.
.-= Derek Alvarez´s last blog ..Lessons from my mustachioed little brother =-.
You’re right about that Derek.
Some people just don’t want to be lead, which makes it different.
Oh yeah, I have seen the Apprentice. I’ve watch that show numerous times and those who were leaders stood out from the crowd and sure enough they ended up being the last person standing.
Thanks for mentioning that.
Jerome Ratliff
Everyone that wants to be a leader should always be thinking about influence. If you can’t make yourself do something, write a post everyday, shoot a video, how can you expect anyone to follow. You must first conquer the ability to influence yourself.
Great stuff Jerome,
Eric McMillan
.-= Eric McMillan´s last blog ..Funded Proposals| An MLM Marketing Must For Success =-.
Yes, you’re right Eric.
Get it out there in all the different forms just to spread the word.
Jerome Ratliff
Hey Jerome,
There is something Jonathan Budd said that has stuck with me, “You are a leader as soon as you decided to be, once you decide that – Its DONE”
So very true, thanks for the great post
Matt
.-= Matthew Pedler´s last blog ..MonaVie Review – Cash Cow or Lame Duck? =-.
Hey there Matt,
That’s a great quote by JB, and so true.
Have a great day,
Jerome Ratliff
Jerome
When the time is right I am going to ask you and Josh for a chapter in my Art of Leadership book.
You make some great points here and I love your self adapted quote,
“Leadership is the ability to influence others where there is mutual benefit gained.” ~ Jerome Ratliff
Great stuff man
.-= Dwayne Huggins´s last blog ..The Future Past And Present Of Network Marketer =-.
Wow Dwayne…
Thanks, that would be really awesome. I’m not surprised that you would be writing a book about this. You exemplify leadership.
Have a great weekend,
Jerome Ratliff
Great post Jerome!
Your influence touches people’s lives all the time. The thing we need to remember is that it can either be a good OR a bad influence.
You make some excellent points here.
Very good stuff.
Have a great weekend!
Susanna
.-= Susanna Hess´s last blog ..How Big Is Your Ball & Chain? Network Marketing Freedom =-.
Hi Susanna.
Glad you liked the post. I like to think of it this way, if we aren’t influencing others then no one wins.
Have an awesome weekend.
Jerome Ratliff
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Excellent points and observations about leadership in the article and comments!
What stood out most to me is that leadership is not about being rude.
Leaders are assertive, not aggressive…there is a difference.
Personally, I think leaders are protective people too. They protect their business, dowline, finances, home, children, etc.. and are willing to stand up and take action to protect the things/people that are close in their heart.
Great Post!!
Have a great weekend!
Twila
.-= Twila Jacobs´s last blog ..Don’t Burn Yourself Out Like a Goose Flying Into a Jet Engine! =-.
Hi Twila,
I agree with that. They are very protective and they do ensure everything is in its appropriate, secure place.
Glad you liked the post.
Have a great weekend.
Jerome Ratliff
Hey Jerome,
A few years ago I learned the hard way that you don’t get to choose when you become a leader. But you do get to choose whether or not you are prepared for that day.
I spend my life dedicating my quest for knowledge to coincide with my progression as a leader. As I become better suited and more self aware, I move up the leadership chain.
There is no standing still. Everything around you is changing. Either change with it, or get left behind.
.-= Chris Owen´s last blog ..Hit It And See What Wiggles – Secrets Of Success In Leadership =-.
Hi Chris,
You’re right, either you change with it or get left behind. What someone chooses also demonstrates their leadership abilities or lackthereof.
Talk to you later,
Jerome Ratliff
I ended up here from Josh Garcia’s post on leadership. Good stuff, guys. Been rereading for the 3rd time Maxwell’s “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership.”
One of those is the Law of Magnetism – who you are is who you attract. I believe Josh brought up this concept in his post…..so VERY true!
Anyhow, I highly recommend the book for an expanded view of some of these principles.
Good day to ya’ll.
Greg Felty
Hey Greg,
Thanks for visiting.
Josh and I are firm believers in leadership and what it can do for our lives and the many others out there we are planning on changing.
Yeah, John Maxwell’s book is a must read… I’m glad you’re enjoying it as well.
Jerome Ratliff
It’s amazing how focusing it is to distill leadership to influence.
.-= J.D. Meier´s last blog ..Lessons Learned from John Maxwell =-.
Hey there JD.
It’s such a powerful thing. There is no denying how powerful leadership is in our lives and for the lives of others.
Thanks for dropping. It’s great to see new faces around here.
Have an awesome day,
Jerome Ratliff