The Leadership Minute #25: Bearing

The Leadership Minute #25
Character Traits of a Leader: Bearing

The manner in which you conduct yourself and the way others see you. That includes your posture and gestures. Show yourself in a positive light, project yourself in a positive light and others will see you in a positive light.

Others will see you in a positive light because that’s what they expect to see in a leader. They are expecting you to hold yourself to a higher standard because they are going to hold you to an even higher standard. You want to be the leader, this is what you have got to do.


Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking Leader:  Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • Great To Follow
• Character • Traits • Leaders • Bearing • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

The Leadership Minute #24: Seek Responsibility and Take Responsibility for your Actions

The Leadership Minute #24
Leadership Principle: Seek Responsibility and Take Responsibility for your Actions

It is quite simple. This leadership principle is strictly on you. As a leader it is your duty and responsibility to seek out responsibility.

You want to lead? You lead from the from front.
You want to manage people? Well, you can manage from anywhere but I recommend doing that from the front.

If you want to be a leader that’s a GREAT Leader, well you have to seek out responsibility and then you take responsibility for your actions. Something goes right, well obviously you get the credit.

When something goes wrong with you, something you did or something that someone you are responsible for did, guess what? You step up, get out in front of it and take care of it. You say, “this is my responsibility, I instructed this individual to do these tasks, I was responsible for their training and I am responsible their failure (just like you are responsible for their success).” That’s what a true leader does.

Of course, there are managers that will pass the buck and say, “Well, it’s his fault he should have known better.”

NO SIR OR MA’AM, IT IS YOU AS THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE THAT SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER. You want to be the leader, so start acting like one and take responsibility 100% of the time.

Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking Leader:  Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • Great To Follow • Seek Responsibility • Take Responsibility • Be Responsible • Own Your Actions • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

ETIQUETTE WEEKEND #23

In case you missed it this weekend, here are ETIQUETTE WEEKEND links I shared.

ETIQUETTE WEEKEND is a Twitter (@daveguerra), Facebook (facebook.com/thedavidguerra), Google+ (plus.google.com/+DaveGuerra) project where I post and share links to websites and online articles that are all about Etiquette (Business, Interpersonal, Professional and Personal).

1. In-flight Etiquette: How to Be a Better Passenger
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/us-news-travel/in-flight-etiquette-how-t_b_6041364.html

2. How the Epidemic of Bad Behavior Affects Your Business
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/238898

3. Confessions of a Mompreneur: 7 Instagram Business Etiquette Tips to Start Now
http://mommynoire.com/273345/instagram-business-etiquette/

4. New Business Etiquette for the Flexible Work World
http://www.workflexibility.org/new-business-etiquette-flexible-work-world/

5. Exercise your gym etiquette with these 12 tips
http://www.buffalonews.com/life-arts/refresh/exercise-your-gym-etiquette-with-these-12-tips-20141025

6. Striking a Friendship Match: The Etiquette for Having Your Friends Befriend Each Other
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/26/fashion/the-etiquette-for-having-your-friends-befriend-each-other.html?_r=0

7. Training Your Employees In Proper Telephone Etiquette
http://johnjt2.hubpages.com/hub/Training-Your-Employees-In-Proper-Telephone-Etiquette

8. 47 Business Etiquette Tips from Around the World
http://brandongaille.com/47-business-etiquette-tips-from-around-the-world/

9. Sticky Question for Your Boss? Here's How to Ask (Surviving those awkward conversations)
http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2014/10/24/difficult-questions-for-boss/

10. Cultural complexity: the etiquette of doing business abroad
http://www.theguardian.com/small-business-network/2014/oct/27/cultural-etiquette-doing-business-abroad

11. Good manners count in business setting
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2014/10/27/mind-business-manners/17975141/

12. Proper etiquette during cold and flu season
http://globalnews.ca/news/1636425/proper-etiquette-during-cold-and-flu-season/

13. Business Email Etiquette Rules You Should Adopt Today
http://www.business2community.com/email-marketing/business-email-etiquette-rules-adopt-today-01047453

14. What the Uber Snafu Teaches About Avoiding Inappropriate Public Statements
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/238898

Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of The Walking Leader:  Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • Great To Follow • The Walking Leader • Etiquette • Etiquette Weekend • Personal Etiquette • Professional Etiquette • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

#DareToBe Tweet Chat: Creativity (Tuesday, April 21, 2015)

At 8PM Eastern, every Tuesday, the #DareToBe tweetchat takes place and hosted by Andrea Sanchez (@asanchez16), an Editor, Writer & Communications Executive and according to her Twitter profile, from Houston, Texas.

Every week is a different topic. On the evening of April 21, 2015, the topic was CREATIVITY. Starting with the first question all the way to the last, every answer submitted by the participants of the tweetchat were awesome. I could not capture all the answers to the 10 questions asked by @ASanchez16. However, I present the questions and  my answers. Please enjoy and if you can, please joins us. Look for the #DareToBe hashtag every Tuesday evening.

CREATIVITY

What is creativity?
Creativity is the act of making something new or making something better. Creativity is also what a Leader must be doing all the time.A Leader must be creative when it comes to the organization and its stakeholders. Leaders must be constant looking to bring in new ideas and re-work old ones in

Fill in the blank: _________________________ is a prerequisite to creativity.
The want to make change must be greater than just "going with the flow" is a prerequisite to creativity. Being creative means you see something and wonder if you can make it better or something new to fill a niche. Above all, share that creative experience with everyone in the organization no matter what position they hold. Heck, share it with the guy who fills the soda machine or the supply delivering person, all stakeholders.

Fill in the blank: I am most creative when _______________.
I am most creative when I stop and reflect on something that catches my attention and holds it. Then it's on! If something has caught my attention and then piques my curiosity that means something. Something is either so SPOT ON that is oozes excellence or something is seriously so screwed up that for it to continue would be insanity.  Therefore, something has to be done about it and the thinking cap comes on or because of its sheer excellence it has to be shared and rejoiced!

Only the artsy and free spirited are creative. True/False? Explain.
FALSE! Everyone is creative. Of course, the level of creativity varies by individual action. You act more you get more. Act less, well you get the idea. Everyone is creative. Every day they get up and make decisions that will impact them for the rest of their lives. Everyday, people decide to left instead of right. They drink a glass of water instead of soda pop. In it's basic rudimentary foundation is creativity. They stop to see the world from a different angle/perspective. That is a very good thing.


If you could have lunch with a creative person (past or present), who would that be? Explain.
My grandfather. My grandfather served in World War II as an Infantryman, that meant he was walked across the European countryside. He saw the death, destruction, mayhem and madness from a very unique perspective. After the war, he came home and picked up where life left off however he was scarred (physically and mentally) but that never stopped him. Matter of fact, he inspired me through my childhood and early adulthood to think outside the box, to look at things from other angles. It would be nice to hear his words of encouragement one more time.

Tips on how someone can find their creative side?
TIP: Just ask someone what they think and you will more than likely get plenty of input on creativity. Start a dialogue. This is to say the only way that I know to for anyone to find their creative side is communication and collaborate. This helps in determining what needs to be created or what needs to be improved upon.

If you lived in a black and white world, what is one thing you would color?
The first thing I would could would be the clothes. We need everyone different and NOT all be the same and NOT look the same. When we are different then change happens. Change is core of creativity.

What are some barriers to creativity?
The biggest barrier to creativity is giving power to the people that say "who do you think you are" or "You can't do that". Keep Your Power. You need it more than they do.

There will always be individuals that will question your motives, intentions, plans, and actions. They will question it because it threatens them on some level. Whatever, the reason is for that threat it should NEVER stop you from moving forward.

If anything those questions should inspire you to MOVE FORWARD. Move forward harder, further, faster, stronger, and with great aspirations of success than when you started.

How can one incorporate creativity into their daily routine?
Question everything! No matter how big or how small question it! The answers will amaze you.

Never stop questioning everything around you. When you think there is nothing more to question then start all over again.

How can leaders build a culture of creativity?
Leaders must expect and demand that quality go into everything the organization does. Once that is firmly planted into the corporate culture you will see the creativity ooze out all over the company floor.

People will want to take that quality to the next level and by using creativity they will elevate the quality to a level higher than anticipated. That is a GREAT thing for the organization and all its stakeholders.

Fill in the blank: Tomorrow, I will dare to be creative by ____________________.
Tomorrow, I will dare to be creative by stepping into the uncomfortable zone, often.

Until next week, I Thank you.
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking Leader:  Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • Great To Follow • Dare To Be • Twitter Chat • Creativity • Andrea Sanchez • #DareToBe • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

The Leadership Minute #23: Employ your unit in accordance with its capabilities

The Leadership Minute #23
Leadership Principle: Employ your unit in accordance with its capabilities

What does this leadership principle mean? Well, it means you are not going to send members of your Engineering Department to go conduct “emergency” bookkeeping. You won’t do it because they are not trained to be bookkeepers. By the same token, you are not going to send your Accounting Department down to the warehouse to conduct inventory.

It is the same way the United States Army does not send a battalion of cooks and administrative personnel to clear a city block. They send Infantry supported by Armor units.

They send what’s appropriate to do the job that’s appropriate. Now to feed all those Infantrymen and Tankers then of course, they will send out the Army Cooks and for the required administrative paperwork must get done thus the Admin Clerks will have to be deployed to do their jobs.

Your should be taking care of your employees and ensuring that they can do the job they are hired to do. Of course, there is cross-training and that’s good in that it gets them familiar with what it going on in other departments but you do not want it to become the standard.

Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking Leader:  Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • Great To Follow • Employees • Capabilities • Best uses • Resources • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

The Leadership Minute #22: Develop A Sense of Responsibility in Your Subordinates

The Leadership Minute #22:
Leadership Principle: Develop a sense of responsibility in your subordinates

As a leader, your sole purpose in life is to make MORE LEADERS! If you say to improve the company’s bottom line well yes and no.

Yes in that, you are improving the level of leadership within the organization as you are creating more leaders. You are creating leaders that have a stake in the company.

How do you do this?

You give them pertinent assignments. Assignments that are not just time killers or not essential to the mission.

You give them assignments that are critical to the success of your organization’s mission and vision.

Before you can assign or hold them to those assignments, you must be certain that they can do the tasks that are required to succeed.

If you see them succeeding a little too easy or not taking much away from the assignment then it is time to step it up a bit. Give them harder assignments. Assignments that will challenge them to the point that it will require them to really step it up a notch. Give them a responsibility that will most certainly take them out of their comfort zone. Give them a challenge and hold them accountable to that challenge.

You will see that they will either be the future leaders your organization will need or you will see right away that they might not be a good fit.

Either way it is your responsibility to make them see themselves as leaders and by developing that sense of responsibility, they will see themselves become leaders.

Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking Leader:  Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • Great To Follow • Empower Others • Reponsibility • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

#NYALedchat Q&A: Celebrating Blogger's Voice (04/20/15)

04/20/15: #NYALedchat Celebrating Blogger's Voice Q&A


On the evening of Monday, April 20, 2015, I participated in my first (of many) twitter chat session using the hashtag #NYALedchat. There were many great participants in the tweetchat and their answers were even greater. I could not capture all those fantastic answers to the questions asked. However, I saved my answers and I am using them to create this blog post. Please enjoy and if you can, please joins us. Look for the #NYALedchat hashtag.

This evening's chat session topic was "CELEBRATING BLOGGER'S VOICE"

The following is breakdown of the questions, my answers, and deeper explanation of what my 140 character limit answer is about.

Who do you blog for?
Aside from blogging for myself, I blog for everyone interested in Leadership in any setting or industry, especially in a business setting. I am a huge advocate for GREAT leadership in the workplace. There is a huge need for Leaders that can deliver big not just to the organization but to the employees and other stakeholders of that organization.

What are the themes that inspire you to write?
The biggest theme that inspires me to write is in attempting to answer the questions "Why did that happen?" and "What can be done to NOT let it happen again?" The news is full of incidents where leadership has failed the individual, the department, the organization, and leaders all over.

I am a big proponent of people bringing solutions along with problems to their leaders. Otherwise, why bother bringing anything, at all? To me, those that fail to bring a solution are doing nothing more than complaining, moaning, groaning, and whining. They are playing a childish game. While those that bring solutions to the problems are bringing openness, transparency, caring, and expecting more from the organization than just the good old "that's they way we do things around here."

Always bring a solution!

When do you write your blog entries?
I write my blog entries when I have a moment or two to take my notes and put them in some coherent order. I really don't have a set time or day of the week to do what I know I must do: Blog.

I am constantly taking notes. I make it a point to always have something to write with and to write on. Personally, I prefer the FIELD NOTES 3-pack notebook (each 3-1/2” wide by 5-1/2” tall) and Padrino Tech Silver Ball Point Pen. I carry them with me, all the time.

Suggestion: I keep the Field Notes notebooks in three different places; my pocket, in my car, and on my desk (at home). That way, I always have one nearby. I recommend you do the same.

Thus, when I an are ready, I take the notebook(s) and build the blog entry.


Where do you go to find sources of information and inspiration to write...and to read?
There are endless sources of information and inspiration to write and to read. I use as a first and last source the news. Either online or offline, the various news sources provide great examples of leadership (good or bad) on a daily basis. Reading books, blogs of others and anything I can get my hands on certainly helps in inspiring me on what to write.

However, nothing beats being your daily personal experiences (write about that, as well).

Why is CELEBRATING bloggers' voice important/worthwhile? Why do you read and/or write blogs?
It is important to celebrate the bloggers' voice, as it is through the sharing of experiences and ideas that the blogger voice helps everyone be open and accepting of ideas and concepts. By accepting the ideas and concepts of others, it helps improve what we do in our vocation. It helps to improve our place in life. Most of all, it helps us improve our lives as human beings.

How can I get started? (Share your best advice, resources, names of mentor bloggers, books, websites, etc.)
Great Question. I recommend starting small when it comes to blogging. Everyone, has thoughts, ideas and concepts that will challenge others to be better individuals. All beginners should not, for one second, believe that starting a blog means you have to write a dissertation paper every time you write/blog. Quite the contrary, you should write what feels good to you.

I suggest that all "newbies" start by writing 200 to 300 words per blog entry. Then when you get comfortable and ready for more, you can increase your word count. The next thing you know, you are just a few words short of an outstanding dissertation.

As for what topics to use. I recommend picking something you feel confident about and start there. Educators, I recommend starting with whatever pet peeve you might have when it comes to Submitting Grades or Start of day procedures or ??? (I hope you get the idea). Once you pick it, write about it.

Blogging is just one way to celebrate Educator's Voice.How else can we celebrate Educator's Voice?
As a parent, I am disappointed when an Educator does not take the initiative to share their VOICE by blogging, Tweeting, Instagramming, Facebooking, or anything else considered Social Media. It is as if they are afraid to share their thoughts, plans, intentions, or experience with others. One teacher, I spoke to a while back about why she did not have a Twitter account evaded the answer but I suspected that she was afraid the Administration would not approve.

If you plan on exposing the administration or call out the Principal or Vice-Principal then I am more than certain they would not approve.

Then again, if you plan to Tweet or Instagram your weekend activities at the local bar and grill, I suspect they would surely not approve.

However, if you want to share your skills, experiences, and knowledge with your peers, parents, and students then I find it difficult to believe that they would disapprove.

Then again, if they are looking for permission to just get out and do it. Well, as a Parent of school age children, all Educators have my permission.

Please share!


Thank you for your time,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking Leader:  Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • Great To Follow • #NYedchat • #ALedchat • #NYALedchat • Educators • Blogging • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

The Leadership Minute #21: Make Sound and Timely Decisions

The Leadership Minute #21
Leadership Principle: Make Sound and Timely Decisions

As a leader, your followers, those you supervise, those you lead, those that you are responsible for will come to you and they are going to ask you to answer a question. They are going to want you to make a decision during the good times and the bad times. OK, most definitely in the bad times. In those crisis situations they are going to come to you. They are going to want to know that you are capable of answering those questions.

They will expect you to make those decisions; the hard ones as well as the easy ones. They are going to want to see you step up and say “This is it! This is the answer!”

They are going to want those decisions made in a timely manner. However, there will be some times that it cannot be timely. That’s alright. What you do is step back and pause. Gather all your information, make an assessment as quickly as possible. Then make your decision and act on it!

Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking Leader:  Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • Great To Follow • Decision • Sound • Timely • Accurate • Spot On • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

ETIQUETTE WEEKEND #22

In case you missed it this weekend, here are the ETIQUETTE WEEKEND links I shared.

ETIQUETTE WEEKEND is a Twitter (@daveguerra), Facebook (facebook.com/thedavidguerra), Google+ (plus.google.com/+DaveGuerra) project where I post and share links to websites and online articles that are all about Etiquette (Business, Interpersonal, Professional and Personal).

1. Gym Etiquette: How To Avoid Awkward Moments At The Gym
http://www.medicaldaily.com/gym-etiquette-how-avoid-awkward-moments-gym-307622

2. Open Office? Add Clear Communication And Attention
http://news.investors.com/management-leaders-and-success/102214-722969-courtesy-top-professional-reputation-booster-in-workplaces.htm

3. 10 Facebook Pages Your Business Should Be Following
http://www.business2community.com/facebook/10-facebook-pages-business-following-01044860

4. Graduates taught about business etiquette in new initiative
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/11179683/Graduates-taught-about-business-etiquette-in-new-initiative.html

5. Smartphone Etiquette: 10 Tips for Mindful Use
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/zach-dean/smartphone-etiquette_b_5992548.html

6. Irish 'have the best phone etiquette in the world' - study
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/irish-have-the-best-phone-etiquette-in-the-world-study-30681431.html

7. The Utensil Etiquette Your Parents Never Taught You
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/20/utensil-etiquette_n_6004682.html

8. This is How You Write a Professional Email
http://www.camelsandchocolate.com/2014/10/this-is-how-you-write-a-professional-email/

9. Crosswalks, roundabouts and common courtesy
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/souwester/correspondent/Crosswalks-roundabouts-and-common-courtesy-279952212.html

10. The dreaded no-exit conversation
http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/04/12/the-dreaded-exit-conversation/SZx33qqbt2DfCGdVXltSRL/story.html

11. What Not to Wear: Etiquette for Summer Business Attire
http://info.meritresources.com/blog/bid/381211/What-Not-to-Wear-Etiquette-for-Summer-Business-Attire

12. Business dining: It's not about the food.
http://www.post-gazette.com/life/food/2014/10/23/Business-dining-It-s-not-about-the-food/stories/201410230059

13. [Lee Jae-min] Enforcing etiquette with law?
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20141021000480

14. 15 Workplace Etiquette Rules Everyone Should Follow, According to Reddit
http://www.bustle.com/articles/45274-15-workplace-etiquette-rules-everyone-should-follow-according-to-reddit



Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of The Walking Leader:  Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • Great To Follow • The Walking Leader • Etiquette • Etiquette Weekend • Personal Etiquette • Professional Etiquette • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

The Leadership Minute #20: Train Your Soldiers As A Team

The Leadership Minute #20
Leadership Principle: Train Your Soldiers As A Team
As always in this and other leadership principles the term Soldiers does refer to the members of the United States Army as I am sharing with you the 11 Leadership Principles of the US Army. However, let’s change this up just a bit and refer to your Staff. Your Employees. Those individuals you are responsible for.

Train Your Staff As A Team.

Obviously, there are some things you cannot train your staff as a team. If you have a department full of CPAs and another department full of New Media Specialists you cannot train them on how to process I-9 forms.

However, you can train ALL members of your organization on how to properly answer the telephone. You can train them on how to properly greet customers and clients.

However, when it does come to something that can apply only to the ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT then by all means TRAIN THEM ALL. Get everyone in the department together and train then all at the same time. Don’t just train your section leaders but train them all.  This way it ensures the same message reaches everyone.

I invite you to follow me
on TWITTER: @daveguerra
or send me an EMAIL: dave@daveguerra.com


Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking Leader:  Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • Great To Follow • Training • Employees • Department • Team • Team Work • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

The Leadership Minute #19: Ensure the Task is Understood, Supervised and Accomplished

The Leadership Minute #19
Leadership Principle: Ensure the task is Understood, Supervised and Accomplished

When you are showing your staff how to do something especially for the first time it is imperative that you not only deliver a well versed and easily understood explanation and demonstration also followed by a practical application and an evaluation.

Then once you have done that repeat it until everyone gets it. Once they get it, have them do it. Ensure that the individual that is supervising the task understands it enough that it can done to the standards and expectations you have set.

As a leader, you must make it your purpose to ensure that everyone knows what to do, how to do it, and who will be in charge of getting it done.


Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking Leader:  Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • Great To Follow • Task • Understood • Supervised • Accomplished • Success • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

The Leadership Minute #18: Set The Example

The Leadership Minute #18
Leadership Principle: Set The Example

The one thing you will NEVER hear a great leader say is “Do as I say and not as I do.”

Those are words of managers. Those of words of individuals that would rather throw their weight and position around like a sledgehammer. Those are managers that manage people through fear and intimidation.

A Great Leader will say: “Watch me do this”

A Great Leader will step out in front and do what must be done. However, the leader must never carry the entire load, otherwise why have employees or followers? Lead by example, show them the way, be the trailblazer, the pathfinder but DO NOT DO IT ALL YOURSELF

Of course you will be tempted. That’s OK, it means you care. However, as a leader you have to be strong enough to let go some of the need to do it all and let those that you manage, supervise, or lead do what must be done.

If you trained them the right way, set the standard and shown them that it can be done then trust them enough to do it.

Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking Leader:  Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • Great To Follow • Leadership • Set the Example • Be the Example • Be A Leader • Be Better • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

ETIQUETTE WEEKEND #21

In case you missed it this weekend, here are ETIQUETTE WEEKEND links I shared.

ETIQUETTE WEEKEND is a Twitter (@daveguerra), Facebook (facebook.com/thedavidguerra), Google+ (plus.google.com/+DaveGuerra) project where I post and share links to websites and online articles that are all about Etiquette (Business, Interpersonal, Professional and Personal).

1. 8 Phone Etiquette Rules Every Professional Should Know
http://pagesay.com/8-phone-etiquette-rules-every-professional-should-know/

2. Business Texting Etiquette: 10 Tips For Professionals
http://www.businessemailetiquette.com/business-texting-etiquette-10-tips-for-professionals/

3. Social Media Etiquette Guide for Businesses [Infographic]
http://flevy.com/blog/social-media-etiquette-guide-for-businesses-infographic/

4. Funerals bring up confusing questions of etiquette
http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/relationships-and-special-occasions/columns/miss-manners/funerals-bring-up-confusing-questions-of-etiquette/article_03402b90-ac8b-5897-b36a-78a966a7d61f.html

5. Email Etiquette: Don’t Sabotage Your Career
http://www.business2community.com/brandviews/act-on/email-etiquette-dont-sabotage-career-01039735

6. Modern Etiquette: At business meetings, impressions are important
http://www.bworldonline.com/weekender/content.php?id=96171

7. Digital Life: Even camera-shy workers must use Skype
http://experience.usatoday.com/weekend/story/lifestyle/2014/10/17/digital-life-even-camera-shy-workers-must-use-skype/17317993/

8. [slide] Issues in Business Etiquette
http://www.slideshare.net/Expoco/issues-in-business-etiquette

9. Avoiding pitfalls in casual conversation
http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/10/18/the-art-water-cooler-conversation/x4s8cNZECQGuYDyR04BDyI/story.html

10. Business Etiquette for Women 101 | By M.E. Porter
http://financialjuneteenth.com/business-etiquette-for-women-101-by-m-e-porter/

11. Three Dos and Don’ts of Business Texting Etiquette
https://www.mobilecommons.com/blog/2014/10/three-dos-donts-business-texting-etiquette/

12. Top 6 Business Etiquette Faux Pas
https://cegosasiapacific.wordpress.com/2014/10/21/top-6-business-etiquette-faux-pas/

13. Think Business Etiquette Doesn’t Matter? Think Again
http://sagecity.na.sage.com/support_communities/sage_one/b/sage_one_blog/archive/2014/10/21/think-business-etiquette-doesn-t-matter-think-again.aspx

14. 13 Dining Etiquette Tips for Your Next Business Meal
http://www.oncallinternational.com/blog/13-dining-etiquette-tips-next-business-meal/

Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of The Walking Leader:  Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • Great To Follow • The Walking Leader • Etiquette • Etiquette Weekend • Personal Etiquette • Professional Etiquette • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

The Leadership Minute #17: Keep Them Informed

The Leadership Minute #17
Leadership Principle: Keep your soldiers informed

Keeping those you supervise, manage, and lead informed of day to day operations is critical. While they do not need to know everything they do need to know something. How else can they adjust to what’s going on if you don’t tell them that a key individual is no longer with the organization or a new project is starting.

Something else to keep in mind when keeping people informed. Inform them that there are somethings that are NOT for eyes and ears outside the company walls.

Then again there will be times when saying nothing at all is required. However, at some point you or the organization’s leadership will have to say something.

Pick and choose wisely but do everything you can to keep your staff informed.

Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking Leader:  Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • Great To Follow • Leadership • Be Informed • Success • Be a Leader • Be Better • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

The Leadership Minute #16 Know Yourself and Seek Self-Improvement

The Leadership Minute #16
Leadership Principle: Know your soldiers and look out for their welfare

While most of are no longer in the military or ever in the military don’t think this no longer applies or does not apply.

It most certainly applies. However, not in the sense of 24/7 looking out for the welfare of your soldiers. However, it does.Your employees are your "soldiers" they are the front line troops, they will make or break your organization.

As a business leader you have to be on guard 24/7/365 that’s non-negotiable. Things happen over the weekend, people get sick, their kids get sick, cars break down, whatever the situation it does happen. However, unlike the military you cannot order people to be at work no matter what.

However, you can look out for the welfare of the people you are leading or supervising by talking to them. By getting to know them. Once you get to know them and they open up then can you start to figure out what makes them uniquely them. Then you determine to what level you can support them and look out for their welfare and the welfare of their family.

This does not mean you have them move in but what it does mean let them know you care. You will listen but above all, and some will have to be reminded, you are there to be taken advantage of. You have a job to do and you are held accountable for that job.

Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking Leader:  Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • Great To Follow • Know • Yourself • Self • Improvement • Be Better • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

Your Dreams vs. Their Dreams

When it comes to going out on your own to make your own dreams come true there is really no one to turn to. Sure you can seek the advice of your elders but what if they never achieved their goals or made their dreams come true, what then?

Seriously, what good will it do to seek the advice from people that never moved in a direction that took them in a direction that would make their dreams come true faster.

Now you can seek the advice of people who made their dreams come true. However, just realize one thing, why would they want you as their competition? They will give you just enough information to get you going but they will never reveal their secret as to how they made it.

Now for the kicker, those that made it will see you as competition or as a resource. Am untapped resource to further their dreams. Thus by giving you just enough rope to either climb up to the next level or to hang yourself you have to decide what it will be. They can't make you decide. Choose wisely.

It is when you decide to climb to the next level that you have to make certain that the next level is YOUR LEVEL and not of the person that handed you the rope. See if you make it to their next level then they know they got you. They will have you right where they need you. It is at that moment that their dreams just became your dreams. What then?

Again, CHOOSE WISELY!


Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking Leader:  Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • Great To Follow • Dreams • Goals • Vision • Your dream • Their dreams • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero

On Your Future (Now!)

No matter what you want and how you want it there is one something that render what you want MOOT!

That one thing is: direction.

If you lack direction you lack plenty. It's like this, if you do not have the willpower to take charge and be in control of getting what you want then you are not going to get it.

You must have the willpower to take charge and steer your life in the direction that will get you to where you want to go! To you must be the CAPTAIN of your life; the past, present, and future!

All of it! Because if you don't set your own course and follow your own direction someone else will do it for you!

Don't be that person.

Be the Captain!


Thank you,
David Guerra

I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking Leader:  Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

Here are some Technorati Tags: • The Walking Leader • Great To Follow • Motivation • Leader • Direction • Set your course • Be the Captain • Dave Guerra • Leadership • Leading • Leadership Development • Professional Development • Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way • Ready, Fire, Aim! • If it ain't broke, break it. • Hire Crazies • Ask dumb questions • Pursue failure • Spread Confusion • Ditch Your Office • Read Odd Stuff • Avoid Moderation • Higher, Admire, Desire, Require, Satire, Inquire, On Fire, All Possible Scenarios • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero