Helping Good Leaders Face Tough Realities
 

The ultimate test of leadership is remarkably simple to measure.  It's highly visible and any leader can tell if he or she is doing it at any time.  It's even quite visible to others.

What is the ultimate test of leadership?  It's this:  That people do what you want when you're not there. 

You're away and they still hit their promised deadline.  You're busy and they take the initiative to see what needs doing - and do it.  They speak to customers with care and concern, acting as if they own the business themselves  - without you nudging, nagging, watching or pushing.

"When the cat is away, the mice will play,"  a leader once described his office staff to me.  That's a sign of a weak leader.   Jim Collins of "Good to Great" fame, describes companies like Rubbermaid who fell apart once their high-powered leaders left the company.  Perhaps former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney was this type of leader.  After two successive majority governments, his Conservative Party became a virtual political wipeout in the election that followed his retirement.

What is the secret to ultimate leadership?  "Leadership by the yard is hard, but by the inch, it's a cinch."   Leaders who know 'What's Important Now' know how to influence others to change, one inch at at time.  If they'll move one inch, they'll move two, then four, then eight, and so on.  The results are exponential, like compound interest.  And like compound interest, the results appear small for quite awhile.  That's probably why so few leaders are able to achieve the ultimate leadership test.  Jim Collins measured it as less than 1% of the largest 1400 companies in America.  99% of leaders can't endure the agony of the inch.  Can you?

John Kuypers

The longer you lead, the more you learn that so many things are not in your control - the weather, disasters, economic cycles, innovations, and formerly loyal customers and good staff.  The little-known secret to self-trust is to develop your inner sense of spirituality - the voice first thing in the morning when you suddenly just KNOW what it is that you have to do to deal with your challenge.

Whatever your spiritual background or preferences, coming to terms with what you can and cannot control is the key to staying calm and centered, even in the middle of a crisis.  Our experience is that this uncanny ability to see the eye of the storm occurs when you are able to stay focused on the present moment. 

Great athletes rely on it - calling it "the Zone."   They  are able to achieve peak personal performance under pressure.  If you want to learn more about how to W.I.N., order a copy of What's Important Now from us.  This book has helped thousands of readers understand the power of learning the skill of focusing on the present moment, overcoming the mental and emotional burdens of lost opportunities and unpredictable futures.

Go to http://www.presentliving.com  for more information, send us an email at info@winleadership.com to inquire about purchasing this book or other CD's and books we have on this topic.

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