10 Things You Do Not Know About Leadership (part 4/10)

#4 of the 10 Things You Do Not Know About Leadership

LEADERSHIP CAN NEVER BE MASTERED

Most people will spend their entire lives trying to master leadership but the truth is mastery of the concept of leadership can never be mastered. Sure, you can read about leadership. You can attend seminars and/or take classes about the subject of Leadership but none of them will give you any form or level of mastery, as it does not exist. Sure, you can experience LEADERSHIP by being led or leading others. While all that is good and well, the reality remains the same YOU will NEVER master LEADERSHIP.

Go ahead and ask any true and genuine leader you know. They will tell you they have a long way to go to mastering leadership.

Pay close attention to whom you ask and their response, as those that “claim” they have mastered leadership are, most certainly, outright liars. They are NOT leaders but quite possibly very bad managers. See bad managers have this nasty habit of confusing intimidation as leadership. That is why most will say they have mastered leadership because they intimidate others. So, proceed with caution but I digress.

Back to the reason for why one can never go the distance when it comes to leadership mastery as it deals with a multiverse of variables that exist when it comes to being a leader. The multiverse of variables come at you from all angles, directions and for any number of reasons and, of course, in varying degrees and intensity. Never achieving mastery is solely because those variables are infinite. That is the reason why LEADERSHIP can never be truly mastered.

Take the following into consideration: If leadership could be mastered there would be ONLY ONE BOOK on the subject. Yet, libraries, bookstores, and the internet are full of books on leadership. Countless books of various leadership niches are published every year which are then added to the already gigantic pile of publications dealing directly with the subject of leadership and their various niches.

Next year, new books, articles, blog posts, videos and podcast will be published on leadership topics that have been around for a while and also on topics that have not yet been addressed. It is now 2022 and three years ago no one imagined the pandemic and all the challenges everyone would be facing. Now here we are, near post-pandemic, with new issues, concerns, challenges, as well as successes.

The ability to attempt to achieve leadership mastery is commendable and most certainly NOT futile. It is a goal that will always be just out of reach and it should never be something to give up on. Trying to master something that can never be mastered is a worthy cause. Never feel like you are spending your time and energy on something that is unattainable.

The time, effort and energy you spend on something you are passionate about is never unworthy. If your goal is to become better at what you do, then the idea or notion that it is not worth it is moot. Becoming a better person, a better leader, a better citizen is never a bad thing, actually it is an exceptionally good thing.

Ultimately, it may take a lifetime of continuously working on being the best leader you can be, all the while knowing leadership can never be mastered is not quixotic. It is to be applauded and encouraged. It is to be considered a journey. A journey filled with discovery and adventure but also a journey that never ends. That’s OK as the adventure is in the journey. Therefore, always be learning.

Visit my website (daveguerra.com) to view this entry with its accompanying Audio/Visual media options.

Be sure to subscribe to get the next entry delivered to you via email.

Until Next Week, I Thank you.

David Guerra

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

P.P.S. 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

10 Things You Do Not Know About Leadership (part 3/10)

#3 of the 10 Things You Do Not Know About Leadership

Leadership Involves Making Lots of Mistakes 

Like anything in life MISTAKES will be made. No one is perfect and you will make mistakes. Consider making mistakes part of life. Making mistakes should be anticipated and expected. Plain and simple, a leader that does not make mistakes is playing it cautiously and carefully. 

A leader that plays cautiously and carefully is NOT a leader. Leaders should have a level of caution and carefulness but NOT to the point of never committing a mistake. Playing it safe is NOT how leaders grow and learn. Playing it safe means the individual is scared, fearful and not ready to take command.

Playing it safe is NOT what leading is all about. Of course, you have a duty to keep your team safe from harm, however, if all you do is play it safe, how will your team know to go with their gut, trust their instincts, or take a chance? Folks, if you are not prepared to take chances and make mistakes along the way, then you are NOT prepared to lead. Still hesitant, just know that no matter what; every decision you make will not always be the right one. 

Leaders, making mistakes and learning from those mistakes is the number one way to gain experience. Gaining Experience is the one thing that ALL leaders must do and have. It is through gaining and having experience that TRUE & AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP is born and Great Leaders are made. NO TEXTBOOK will ever replace experiencing the ups and downs of being a leader. 

Remember, no one ever became a Great Leader by having the minimum amount of experience. Get out there, get your hands dirty, jump into the trenches, dig foxholes, chop wood, carry water, get some REAL-WORLD experience because nothing is automatic. It is earned.

Greatness in leadership comes from doing what must be done especially if no one wants to do it. Great Leaders are born in the muck and mud. They are born when sweat and tears are the norm and not the exception. Great Leaders will lead from the front and not from behind a desk. Great Leaders rarely spend time behind a desk but most certainly spend time out among their troops. 

Great Leaders are out on the front-lines. They are well aware that they do not HAVE to be out there but they go anyway. They go not only to see, firsthand, how the battle is going but they go so that the people out on the front-lines know their leader is there and not behind the watchful eye of a gatekeeper or two. 

While gatekeepers serve a purpose, they are also a catalyst towards making mistakes. Mistakes that will prove costly to the leader. The comfort and safety that comes with having gatekeepers is what will lead to misunderstandings and miscommunication between the leader and those they lead. Folks, when it comes to misunderstanding and miscommunication, leaders may never truly recover from such mistakes.

Leaders be very careful when it comes to depending too much on your gatekeepers as they will, without hesitation and on your behalf, create climates and environments that will be at most unrecoverable. So, please proceed with caution but don't be too cautious or too careful that nothing great ever happens.

Visit my website (daveguerra.com) to view this entry with its accompanying Audio/Visual media options.

Be sure to subscribe to get the next entry delivered to you via email.

Until Next Week, I Thank you.

David Guerra, MBA

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

P.P.S. 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

10 Things You Do Not Know About Leadership (part 2/10)

Thing Number 2 of the 10 Things You Do Not Know About Leadership

LEADERSHIP IS NOT A TITLE OR A POSITION

Someone, somewhere is selling people on the notion that having a degree automatically makes them a “leader”. Leadership is NEVER automatically given. So please do not be fooled into believing any of that nonsense.

The same applies when it comes to believing that because you hold a certain position you are automatically a leader, well guess what? THEY ARE WRONG. And if you believe that having such a position makes you the “automatic leader” well YOU ARE WRONG, as well!

Seriously, if you truly believe that because you have a degree such as a Bachelors, Masters, or Ph.D., MD, JD makes you automatically a leader, again you are wrong. Of course, and most certainly, you should be applauded for having the self-discipline for going the distance with your education. Kudos to you. 

However, your real-world education is just beginning. It is through the education you have along with the real-world experience you are going to earn and the wisdom you will gain that will make you a true leader. Believe it. Believe it as there are no shortcuts.

Remember, nothing is automatic, especially when it comes to being a Leader. So do not make the mistake of thinking you are the “automatic leader”. Believing that hype and then projecting that nonsensical belief onto others will make your true leadership journey all the more difficult to accomplish. Why is that you ask? Simple. 

Those you are “automatically leading” will be hesitant and resistant to your efforts. This will then lead you to receive more pushback from those around you. For the most part you arrive fresh without having to prove yourself and expect those to follow you. The pushback will also ensure that you climb to the top will be that much harder, arduous and difficult. 

Unless you are prepared to change your mindset to a more genuine and authentic approach to leading, you will be trusted less and more suspect about what are your true intentions.

When it comes to changing your mindset when it comes to the notion of “automatic leader” was your education automatically bestowed on you when you decided to go to college or university? No. You had to work for it. You had to actually crack open a book, attend a lecture or two, and then finally take some tests to see where you are and if you are capable. You had to pay your dues.

There is no difference when it comes to leadership. You pay your dues by learning some valuable life lessons, by getting to know the people you are responsible for. You also pay your dues by getting knocked around by life. You will be tested and whether you pass or fail you will still gain valuable life experience. Again, there is no shortcut to any of this.

You have to put in the work because nothing will be simply handed over to you. There is too much at stake for anyone to just say ‘here ya go.” You will have to prove yourself long before you sit down in the chair of leadership. You will have to prove it to yourself and even then, you will know when you are trying to fool yourself. But don’t worry others will quickly see through you when you are trying to fool them, as well. So, stop with the false bravado or wrong expectations before you start and get to work on your true & authentic self.

Visit my website (daveguerra.com) to view this entry with its accompanying Audio/Visual media options.

Be sure to subscribe to get the next entry delivered to you via email.

Until Next Week, I Thank you.
David Guerra

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

P.P.S. 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

10 Things You Do Not Know About Leadership (Intro & Part 1/10)

10 Things You Do Not Know About Leadership (part 1 of 10)

Glitz, Glamour and Glory are usually the words most people associate when they hear the word LEADERSHIP. Well, in perfect conditions the 3Gs are correct and spot on. However, life is NOT all glitz, glamour, and glory. It never its. Life is not perfect and thus the misconceptions of the 3Gs sadly refuses to go away.

Life is usually the opposite of perfect. Life is more often than naught dirty, rough and tumble, and downright mean. However, for some odd reason or another people seem to gravitate only to the opposite of reality. They would rather believe the life of a leader is problem free and the easiest thing to achieve. Of course, those that have tasted LEADERSHIP, even if was for a brief moment or for the long term know anything claiming to be easy is a falsehood, a tall tale.

On the premise of anything worth having or being is easy, I have compiled this list. I ask you, the reader, to let me know if I have missed something or need to fine tune the content on this list, I invite you to please reach out either via email at Dave@DaveGuerra.com or on Twitter at @DaveGuerra and fill me in. 

Of course, some, if not everyone, may know these 10 things but for those that do not know these 10 things please review them and I also invite you to take a look and check it out as there may be a different perspective for you to think about. 

Without hesitation and delay, let’s get started…

Part 1:  ANYONE CAN BE A LEADER

There is absolutely nothing in writing declaring LEADERS ARE BORN, NOT MADE. There is no resolution or declaration or proclamation. There is bias. There is laziness. There is people not wanting to step up and be a leader, in doing that they put others down. 

As a young child, I was witness to others that by today’s standards were more charismatic than I was, yet my elders were quick to point out that some people were just born to be leaders. ‘If you are not born a leader then you can never be one’ was the overtone, the party line if you will, that was fed to me for a good part of my early life.

Then one day, someone saw that I had the ability to lead others. I didn’t see that. I stopped seeing that a long time before that day. That day was the day I decided to join the US Army. While I am the oldest child in my family as well as the oldest cousin (on both sides), some people were too wrapped up in their misery they never thought about that by using a couple of words of encouragement, growing up I would have felt good about myself.

Then again, they did not feel good about themselves so naturally all bets were off for anyone else. Most people don’t see that their words or actions can have a lasting impact on the growth of a child into adolescence and then into young adulthood. 

Over the years, I have discovered and met others that had those individuals in their lives that were negative and quick to put them down. I also met others that were encouraged from an early age and have done good for themselves because they had a head start in life. Please note, the head start was not a silver spoon but instead, positive encouragement. Encouragement through the use of words like ‘I have trust in you’, ‘I believe in you’, ‘you have my support’, ‘I got your back’, ‘I am in your corner’, and so on throughout their early life. Folks, words have a deeper impact than actions. Then again, actions rooted in ignorance and incompetence also play a role in stunting the development of a child. 

Sure, it is easy to say “leaders are born and not made” when the response is based on not knowing the difference. What is difficult is knowing that everyone has the potential to be not just a leader but a Great Leader. Everyone has it in them to be the leader they have always wanted. Unfortunately, for far too many people it is their past experience that curtails their ambition and in turn, brings others down.

The negativity that others pass along can be disheartening and demotivating to others especially when the others are young and highly impressionable. However, as we grow, we realize that it is not too late to be a leader. It is never too late to step up and lead. We know this because we also know that NO ONE is born a leader and EVERYONE has it in them to lead.

Visit my website (daveguerra.com) to view this entry with its accompanying Audio/Visual media options.

Be sure to subscribe to get the next entry delivered to you via email.

Until Next Week, I Thank you.
- David Guerra, MBA

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

P.P.S. 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

#10 of 10 Leadership Hacks (a few ways to help you develop your leadership skills)

#10 of 10 Leadership Hacks (a few ways to help you develop your leadership skills)

Being recognized as a leader means you have been identified and accepted by others. You will hold the title of Leader until you are recognized as someone that can no longer lead others. Trust me on this, the title of Leader is NOT a lifetime guarantee. The title of leader means you will have to work hard every day to keep the recognized title. 

While you might hold a position consider a "leadership position" but is it really? If you look at the position itself, it is a manager position, at best, with a potential of being held by a leader but there is no guarantee. 

Also, not guaranteed is have a degree or title after your name such as B.Sci, MBA, Ph.D., PA, JD, or MD. None of those are guarantees of being recognized as a leader. What is a guarantee is doing something with that degree, something worthy of being recognized as a leader by those that give those that are looking for someone to follow.

In this blog series I share with you the 10 Leadership Hacks that will help you develop or enhance your leadership skills. None of these are guarantees to being a recognized leader but through the use of common sense and constant & consistent utilization you might just find yourself a better place than when you were when you started. 

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10. HAVE FUN -  Seriously? Do I really have to tell you to have fun? If I must, please know and understand you have a lot more to worry about and plenty of work to do that this blog post will never be of any help to you. 

I mean if you, as a current or future leader, are not having fun then what's the point? What is the point of getting in front of others a leading them if you believe that to be a successful leader to be serious all the time, then you got much bigger problems. Leave the being serious all the time to the managers. That's why the are called managers. Leaders connect with their followers. Leaders connect in a manner that accomplishing a mission or achieving a goal will be something that followers believe they succeed in doing with the guidance of manager. 

Remember, a manager, a really bad manager will dictate, talk down, tell people what to do and how to do it. A Leader sets the vision or the expected outcome and lets their followers get there, get to the finish line. Gettingt to the finish line is where fun is.

However, if you have no idea how or where to begin as a leader then I share this piece of advice on where to start: Learn How To Have Fun, NOW!

There they are. The 10 Leadership Hacks to help you develop yourself as a True, Genuine, and Authentic Leader. Each hack serves a purpose to help creating the end product. However, this blog post is not the end all, be all on how to be a leader. This blog post should serve for the novice as a starting point, for the more advance it serves as a benchmark to see just how far you have gone and how far you still have to go. For the more advance, let this serve as a tool to help you remember where you came from and to keep checking back every once in a while.

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As always if you find yourself with concerns, comments or questions please drop me an email at dave@daveguerra.com and let’s begin a dialogue. 

Until next week.

David Guerra

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

P.P.S. 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

#9 of 10 Leadership Hacks (a few ways to help you develop your leadership skills)

#9 of 10 Leadership Hacks (a few ways to help you develop your leadership skills)

Being recognized as a leader means you have been identified and accepted by others. You will hold the title of Leader until you are recognized as someone that can no longer lead others. Trust me on this, the title of Leader is NOT a lifetime guarantee. The title of leader means you will have to work hard every day to keep the recognized title. 

While you might hold a position consider a "leadership position" but is it really? If you look at the position itself, it is a manager position, at best, with a potential of being held by a leader but there is no guarantee. 

Also, not guaranteed is have a degree or title after your name such as B.Sci, MBA, Ph.D., PA, JD, or MD. None of those are guarantees of being recognized as a leader. What is a guarantee is doing something with that degree, something worthy of being recognized as a leader by those that give those that are looking for someone to follow.

In this blog series I share with you the 10 Leadership Hacks that will help you develop or enhance your leadership skills. None of these are guarantees to being a recognized leader but through the use of common sense and constant & consistent utilization you might just find yourself a better place than when you were when you started. 

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9. SHOW UP - The single greatest action any leader can do is also the simplest thing they can do: SHOW UP

They show up not because people are expecting to see them. Leaders show up not for themselves but for those they lead. For those that choose to follow them. 

A leader that leads by example goes out of their way to set the standard. By showing up, the leader exemplifies the basics in all that they do. Others see what is important and where their attention and focus should be. 

By being present, YOU, the leader has made yourself an initial point of contact. You have become the person that people will turn to when there is a question to be answered, a need to be addressed, or a concern to be recognized. Most importantly, a person that people can go to without hesitation. They do so because they recognize that you will get done what needs to be done.

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As always if you find yourself with concerns, comments or questions please drop me an email at dave@daveguerra.com and let’s begin a dialogue. 

Until next week.

David Guerra

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

P.P.S. 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

#8 of 10 Leadership Hacks (a few ways to help you develop your leadership skills)

#8 of 10 Leadership Hacks (a few ways to help you develop your leadership skills)

Being recognized as a leader means you have been identified and accepted by others. You will hold the title of Leader until you are recognized as someone that can no longer lead others. Trust me on this, the title of Leader is NOT a lifetime guarantee. The title of leader means you will have to work hard every day to keep the recognized title. 

While you might hold a position consider a "leadership position" but is it really? If you look at the position itself, it is a manager position, at best, with a potential of being held by a leader but there is no guarantee. 

Also, not guaranteed is have a degree or title after your name such as B.Sci, MBA, Ph.D., PA, JD, or MD. None of those are guarantees of being recognized as a leader. What is a guarantee is doing something with that degree, something worthy of being recognized as a leader by those that give those that are looking for someone to follow.

In this blog series I share with you the 10 Leadership Hacks that will help you develop or enhance your leadership skills. None of these are guarantees to being a recognized leader but through the use of common sense and constant & consistent utilization you might just find yourself a better place than when you were when you started. 

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8. LEAD BY EXAMPLE - Current and Future Leaders your life will be under a microscope. Everything you say and do is amplified, at least, 100X. 

That is why leading by example becomes your life. What you say, where you say it, who you say it to, when you say it, why you say it and how you say it will be under that microscope. There is no escape.

The same goes for what you do. What you do, when you do it, where you do it, who you do it to, why you do it, and how you do it, all under that microscope.

Also what you do NOT say or do, is right there along in that microscope. 

As a leader, at any level, your words and actions are everything. The words you say and do not say. The actions you take and do not take. It all matters to those that follow you. 

It matters in that as a leader your job is to build trust. By keeping your word and doing what you say you are going to do is how trust is built. The same goes for doing what you say you are going to do. 

Failing to deliver and not keeping your word is not what true leaders do. However, there will be times when a leader cannot deliver. In those occasions leaders must communicate to ensure the reason is understood by the followers. Then as soon as possible, make it happen. 

"Do as I say and I do" is Leading by example. Genuine leaders need not worry about leading by example as they embody the discipline of leading by example. They know nothing else. 

Future leaders, at first there may be a misconception on what leading by example may or may not be. The misconception comes from not understanding that everyone is different and everyone has a different definition to what is "leading by example". By taking the time to accept that all people are different and everyone carries their own definition. The leader becomes aware that to be their authentic self is more important than how others see them.

When current or future leaders accept themselves for who they are then their authenticity moves front and center. As the leader is behaving in a manner appropriate to themselves, others will recognize then authenticity the leader(s) bring. The leader is then leading by example.

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As always if you find yourself with concerns, comments or questions please drop me an email at dave@daveguerra.com and let’s begin a dialogue. 

Until next week.

David Guerra

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

P.P.S. 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

#7 of 10 Leadership Hacks (a few ways to help you develop your leadership skills)

#7 of 10 Leadership Hacks (a few ways to help you develop your leadership skills)

Being recognized as a leader means you have been identified and accepted by others. You will hold the title of Leader until you are recognized as someone that can no longer lead others. Trust me on this, the title of Leader is NOT a lifetime guarantee. The title of leader means you will have to work hard every day to keep the recognized title. 

While you might hold a position consider a "leadership position" but is it really? If you look at the position itself, it is a manager position, at best, with a potential of being held by a leader but there is no guarantee. 

Also, not guaranteed is have a degree or title after your name such as B.Sci, MBA, Ph.D., PA, JD, or MD. None of those are guarantees of being recognized as a leader. What is a guarantee is doing something with that degree, something worthy of being recognized as a leader by those that give those that are looking for someone to follow.

In this blog series I share with you the 10 Leadership Hacks that will help you develop or enhance your leadership skills. None of these are guarantees to being a recognized leader but through the use of common sense and constant & consistent utilization you might just find yourself a better place than when you were when you started. 

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7. ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO STAND UP, STEP UP, AND STEP OUT - As I and many, many others have said in the past, "A leader's job is to create more leaders."

Thus, it behooves all leaders, future and current, to begin recruiting the next leaders. 

Recruiting the next set of future leaders begins by encouraging others to stand up. step up and the step out. Encourage everyone whether they feel they are ready or not.

Remember, there is no perfect time to be a leader. There is no right time either, PERFECTIONISTS this means YOU! In most cases, Leaders are born out of necessity. They are made the moment someone, anyone is needed to stand up and deliver. 

Again, you are the one that will call on others to stand up, then to step up and then to step out. You will be the one that knows that they are ready. Also, they will fight you tooth and nail but in the  

By standing up I am referring to doing what they can to make themselves known, to be noticed. By standing up they are making their intentions known in they can be called upon to do what must be done.

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As always if you find yourself with concerns, comments or questions please drop me an email at dave@daveguerra.com and let’s begin a dialogue. 

Until next week.

David Guerra

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

P.P.S. 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

#6 of 10 Leadership Hacks (a few ways to help you develop your leadership skills)

#6 of 10 Leadership Hacks (a few ways to help you develop your leadership skills)

Being recognized as a leader means you have been identified and accepted by others. You will hold the title of Leader until you are recognized as someone that can no longer lead others. Trust me on this, the title of Leader is NOT a lifetime guarantee. The title of leader means you will have to work hard every day to keep the recognized title. 

While you might hold a position consider a "leadership position" but is it really? If you look at the position itself, it is a manager position, at best, with a potential of being held by a leader but there is no guarantee. 

Also, not guaranteed is have a degree or title after your name such as B.Sci, MBA, Ph.D., PA, JD, or MD. None of those are guarantees of being recognized as a leader. What is a guarantee is doing something with that degree, something worthy of being recognized as a leader by those that give those that are looking for someone to follow.

In this blog series I share with you the 10 Leadership Hacks that will help you develop or enhance your leadership skills. None of these are guarantees to being a recognized leader but through the use of common sense and constant & consistent utilization you might just find yourself a better place than when you were when you started. 

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6. DIALOGUE - Leaders worth their weight in gold will go out of their way to ensure that dialogue is ever present. They do this instead of only using monologue in every method of communication. Leaders must ensure that every conversation is two-way.

Of course, there will be times that the message has to be one-sided/ one direction in the sense that there can be no discussion as to the need to execute. However, that should not be end all or be all of that communiqué but instead it should include a path to obtain more information, amplification or what not. This is to attempt to ensure that message is understood.

Individuals, at all levels, must encourage and facilitate the openess that comes from dialogue. When openness and dialogue is stifled the culture of the organization becomes tainted, clouded, and an ugly mess. Achieving the level of an ugly mess, the organization is forever known as one that cares more about the bottom line and not about the people. 

Leaders fall back into the role of a bad manager when all they know is top-down monologue.  

Leaders grow when they encourage dialogue. Leaders become better when their followers are freely and fearlessly engaging in dialogue. Leaders make better leaders when dialogue becomes the norm and not the exception.

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As always if you find yourself with concerns, comments or questions please drop me an email at dave@daveguerra.com and let’s begin a dialogue. 

Until next week.

David Guerra

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

P.P.S. 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

#5 of 10 Leadership Hacks (a few ways to help you develop your leadership skills)

#5 of 10 Leadership Hacks (a few ways to help you develop your leadership skills)

Being recognized as a leader means you have been identified and accepted by others. You will hold the title of Leader until you are recognized as someone that can no longer lead others. Trust me on this, the title of Leader is NOT a lifetime guarantee. The title of leader means you will have to work hard every day to keep the recognized title. 

While you might hold a position consider a "leadership position" but is it really? If you look at the position itself, it is a manager position, at best, with a potential of being held by a leader but there is no guarantee. 

Also, not guaranteed is have a degree or title after your name such as B.Sci, MBA, Ph.D., PA, JD, or MD. None of those are guarantees of being recognized as a leader. What is a guarantee is doing something with that degree, something worthy of being recognized as a leader by those that give those that are looking for someone to follow.

In this blog series I share with you the 10 Leadership Hacks that will help you develop or enhance your leadership skills. None of these are guarantees to being a recognized leader but through the use of common sense and constant & consistent utilization you might just find yourself a better place than when you were when you started. 

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5. GET OUT & GO OUT (turn the open door policy inside out) - They say (I really don't know who they are but they say) leaders must have an open door policy so that those that need communicate with that leader without hesitation. 

While that intention may be true. I say that Open Door Policies are as good or bad as their gatekeeper. Let me re-phrase that: If the "manager" has a gatekeeper then the policy is a NO OPEN DOOR POLICY. 

There...I said...I said it because I mean it. If there is any kind of gatekeeper then there is NO OPEN DOOR Policy. Yes, it is that simple. If you have to think about it, then know you have absolutely no reason calling yourself any kind of leader. Let alone, calling yourself a manager if you believe in your open door policy, you know that policy comes with the gatekeeper (non-negotiable). Don't believe me? Try your boss's open door policy. Now you get it.

So how do you deal with that flawed open door policy?

You keep it but look at it this way. That open door is your invitation to get up from behind your desk and walk out. That open door policy is ONLY for YOU! That's right! It is your reminder to go out and walk the company floor. 

 

When you walk out of your office, leave that gatekeeper right where it has always been; guarding your office door.

Get out there and meet the people you lead, you manage, you supervise. Get out there and make yourself available to them. If they truly have a need to use your "open door policy" then they make it happen, when you make it happen sans gatekeeper.

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As always if you find yourself with concerns, comments or questions please drop me an email at dave@daveguerra.com and let’s begin a dialogue. 

Until next week.

David Guerra

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

P.P.S. 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

#4 of 10 Leadership Hacks (a few ways to help you develop your leadership skills)

#4 of 10 Leadership Hacks (a few ways to help you develop your leadership skills)

Being recognized as a leader means you have been identified and accepted by others. You will hold the title of Leader until you are recognized as someone that can no longer lead others. Trust me on this, the title of Leader is NOT a lifetime guarantee. The title of leader means you will have to work hard every day to keep the recognized title. 

While you might hold a position consider a "leadership position" but is it really? If you look at the position itself, it is a manager position, at best, with a potential of being held by a leader but there is no guarantee. 

Also, not guaranteed is have a degree or title after your name such as B.Sci, MBA, Ph.D., PA, JD, or MD. None of those are guarantees of being recognized as a leader. What is a guarantee is doing something with that degree, something worthy of being recognized as a leader by those that give those that are looking for someone to follow.

In this blog series I share with you the 10 Leadership Hacks that will help you develop or enhance your leadership skills. None of these are guarantees to being a recognized leader but through the use of common sense and constant & consistent utilization you might just find yourself a better place than when you were when you started. 

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4. OPEN MINDED - Another component needed in your arsenal towards becoming a Great Leader is to open-minded. Open-minded in the sense that you as an individual are "willing to consider new ideas". You not only encourage that exchange of ideas but expect it to happen all the time. Being open-minded is not something you can turn on when your boss is looking and then turn off when you are behind closed doors.

It will take a lot of work but putting your whole self into it you can soon be well on your way to being a leader recognized as being open-minded.

An Open-minded Leader is one that is ready to create dialogue and will shun away monologue. An open-minded leader also ready to exchange ideas with members of the team no matter what position they have on the team. 

The degree to which just how open-minded leaders are will vary from individual to individual. Remember, no two individuals are exactly alike. Thus, explaining the variance. 

Additionally, when it comes being open-minded the individual is apt to accept change. While change is inevitable, it is the leader that expects and accepts change that will become a better leader. The only way to expect and accept change is to get out and experience change. Experiencing change of all kinds is critical to personal growth, personal & professional development.

Open-minded leaders create new and open-minded leaders. This is because people will naturally gravitate to a fair, just and open-minded leader. They will want to emulate the actions of the leader that is open-minded.

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As always if you find yourself with concerns, comments or questions please drop me an email at dave@daveguerra.com and let’s begin a dialogue. 

Until next week.

David Guerra

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

P.P.S. 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

#3 of 10 Leadership Hacks (a few ways to help you develop your leadership skills)

#3 of 10 Leadership Hacks (a few ways to help you develop your leadership skills)

Being recognized as a leader means you have been identified and accepted by others. You will hold the title of Leader until you are recognized as someone that can no longer lead others. Trust me on this, the title of Leader is NOT a lifetime guarantee. The title of leader means you will have to work hard every day to keep the recognized title. 

While you might hold a position consider a "leadership position" but is it really? If you look at the position itself, it is a manager position, at best, with a potential of being held by a leader but there is no guarantee. 

Also, not guaranteed is have a degree or title after your name such as B.Sci, MBA, Ph.D., PA, JD, or MD. None of those are guarantees of being recognized as a leader. What is a guarantee is doing something with that degree, something worthy of being recognized as a leader by those that give those that are looking for someone to follow.

In this blog series I share with you the 10 Leadership Hacks that will help you develop or enhance your leadership skills. None of these are guarantees to being a recognized leader but through the use of common sense and constant & consistent utilization you might just find yourself a better place than when you were when you started. 

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3. TAKE CHANCES - Taking chances is always the best route to becoming a recognized leader. A chance to step up and fail. A chance to get back up and succeed or to fail once again. No matter if success or failure is the result of you taking a chance, you take that chance again.

Leaders are created as a result of taking a chance (or two). Leaders are never borne of sitting back and watching the world go by. Leaders are not made by directing traffic, as well. Leaders are out there making the world spin, Leaders are out there either creating the traffic, the route, the jam, or they are out in front of the traffic (setting the pace).

Taking chances means embracing change. Taking chances means being afraid but doing it anyway. Taking chances means that people are hungry to see a leader that will step up. They want a leader that they can follow without hesitation, even if it means that leader will fail and try again. Taking chances means you, as a leader, will find yourself on the losing end more times that not but will get back up and try again.

Taking chances also means you will occasionally dive into the deep end without knowing how deep or cold the water is. Additionally, taking careful and calculated chances should be the standing order of the day. But orders just like rules were also made to be broken.  

Whether the chance was calculated or haphazardly done the outcome will be what it will be. As a leader, you must also accept the fallout from the outcome of taking chances. Good or Bad. You own it. People want a leader that not only is willing to take chances but accept responsibility for their actions or behavior.

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As always if you find yourself with concerns, comments or questions please drop me an email at dave@daveguerra.com and let’s begin a dialogue. 

Until next week.

David Guerra

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

P.P.S. 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

#2 of 10 Leadership Hacks (a few ways to help you develop your leadership skills)

#2 of 10 Leadership Hacks (a few ways to help you develop your leadership skills)

Being recognized as a leader means you have been identified and accepted by others. You will hold the title of Leader until you are recognized as someone that can no longer lead others. Trust me on this, the title of Leader is NOT a lifetime guarantee. The title of leader means you will have to work hard every day to keep the recognized title. 

While you might hold a position consider a "leadership position" but is it really? If you look at the position itself, it is a manager position, at best, with a potential of being held by a leader but there is no guarantee. 

Also, not guaranteed is have a degree or title after your name such as B.Sci, MBA, Ph.D., PA, JD, or MD. None of those are guarantees of being recognized as a leader. What is a guarantee is doing something with that degree, something worthy of being recognized as a leader by those that give those that are looking for someone to follow.

In this blog series I share with you the 10 Leadership Hacks that will help you develop or enhance your leadership skills. None of these are guarantees to being a recognized leader but through the use of common sense and constant & consistent utilization you might just find yourself a better place than when you were when you started. 

2. STAND OUT - Every leader has one thing in common: the ability to stand out from the crowd. If leaders cannot stand out then how are they recognized as leaders in the first place? 

Seriously, how are leaders made? They certainly not born as leaders and then wait some twenty or so years to shine? No. They have work  at standing out from the crowd. The United Nations estimates around 385,000 babies are born each day around the world (140 million a year). 

While each baby is special and unique, not all will stand up to stand out, sadly. There will be more that will sit around waiting for a great leader to follow. Then will they have their opportunity to stand up and stand out.

You may ask yourself, how do I stand out. First of all, don't over think it. Next, you may find yourself tempted to stand out like others have done in the past. Well, don't do that. 

You are uniquely you. Therefore, be yourself. Being yourself will ensure that no one will ever call you a clone, a copy cat, or a poser. 

Standing out is all about being your authentic self and not worry what others think. Standing out is about being true to yourself. Standing Out is all about YOU being YOU!

As always if you find yourself with concerns, comments or questions please drop me an email at dave@daveguerra.com and let’s begin a dialogue. 

Until next week.

David Guerra

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

P.P.S. 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

#1 of 10 Leadership Hacks (a few ways to help you develop your leadership skills)

#1 of 10 Leadership Hacks (a few ways to help you develop your leadership skills)

Being recognized as a leader means you have been identified and accepted by others. You will hold the title of Leader until you are recognized as someone that can no longer lead others. Trust me on this, the title of Leader is NOT a lifetime guarantee. The title of leader means you will have to work hard every day to keep the recognized title. 

While you might hold a position consider a "leadership position" but is it really? If you look at the position itself, it is a manager position, at best, with a potential of being held by a leader but there is no guarantee. 

Also, not guaranteed is have a degree or title after your name such as B.Sci, MBA, Ph.D., PA, JD, or MD. None of those are guarantees of being recognized as a leader. What is a guarantee is doing something with that degree, something worthy of being recognized as a leader by those that give those that are looking for someone to follow.

In this blog series I share with you the 10 Leadership Hacks that will help you develop or enhance your leadership skills. None of these are guarantees to being a recognized leader but through the use of common sense and constant & consistent utilization you might just find yourself a better place than when you were when you started. 

1. STAND UP - The first thing that people notice about leaders especially those new, up and coming leaders is their ability to STAND UP. They stand up with almost no proctoring from others. 

Obviously, leaders do not always stand up. The wise ones will pick and choose when to stand up. Unfortunately, in what appears to be a "need" to recognized as an up and "comer', individuals will stand up and volunteer to take on a task that they are not ready for. 

There is no rush. Is there a need to be recognized today. Take your time or you may find that you are being recognized for something that you do not want to be recognized for. 

Remember, A Leader Knows When The Time Is Right To Stand Up and when you do make certain you go all in.

As always if you find yourself with concerns, comments or questions please drop me an email at dave@daveguerra.com and let’s begin a dialogue. 

Until next week.

David Guerra

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

P.P.S. 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

Leading From The Front

Flag of Ukraine

When it comes to leadership in all its varying forms and style nothing and I do mean NOTHING will beat the penultimate leadership style of LEADING FROM THE FRONT.

Up until recently, there were very few real world examples of LEADING FROM THE FRONT.

The current and most relevant example is Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Yes, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In the current situation with Russia invading Ukraine, the Zelenskyy is out there fighting to push back the invaders, he is also out there fighting on behalf of his country to more international support.

The Ukrainian President is out there, on the frontlines, walking his talk. How many "leaders" do that on a daily basis. How many leaders, today, are willing to walk out there where the bullets are flying.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the definition of Leading From The Front. He is out there fighting for his country, his constituents, his family and for his life. He is the epitome of walking his talk. He could have opted to rule from behind a desk far from the fighting. Instead, he opts to walk out to where the bullets, mortar, and tank shell are flying.

Sure there are many politicians that "claim" they lead from the front. Without shame they claim that they are out there and "no one works harder for their constituents than they do". Yet when the opportunity to go to the front comes, they go there in a chauffeured limo. Then the moment things look like they are going sideways these politicians duck back in, speed away. Soon they find comfort in their nice cozy, comfy office chairs as far away from the frontlines as they can get.

Then there are some political officials that will flat out ignore a direct order to go to the frontlines. When questioned about why they are not going to the frontlines, their only response is a dirty look and a "cackled" laugh. Next question, please.

So much for working hard or is it working hard at avoiding any hard work? I challenge anyone to prove me wrong or try to change my mind when it comes to those politicians.

But, this post is not only about politicians. It is also about business managers, military personnel and the countless others that want to be great leaders but do not want to put in the work. They may claim they are putting in the work but yet, they are continually found behind their desk managing by email or zoom or by text (this is the worst of all). Again, I ask how can you become great if you REFUSE to get your hands dirty.

Who does not want to be known as one of the great leaders of our time? I promise you this: The person is lying if they claim they do not want to be great.

Sure, some people may be satisfied with their life if they never are seen as great. Some may be perfectly fine if they can achieve some level of greatness. No matter if a little, some or none and sure as the sun rises, everyone wants to be great.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being great. As many have said (including myself) time and time again, to be great you have put in great work.

WORK! W-O-R-K!

There's that nasty four-letter word. It will never go away especially when you want to do something and be something. You have to put in the work. THERE IS NO SHORTCUT TO BEING GREAT.

However, you can move the process along by getting out there and Leading from the Front and by leading from the front means you are out there ACTIVELY participating.

You are out there NOT getting in the way. You are out there not for a photo-op but to actually do something that is helping. The following is what you can do to become a great leader:

• Stand Up

• Step Up

• Go To The Frontlines

• Digging Foxholes, Fill Sandbags, Chop Wood, Carry Water

• Stay Out of The Way

That is it. It does not get any clearer and better than that. Get To Work!

Thank you,

David Guerra

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

P.P.S. 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

"Do As I Say, Not As I Do" aka Hypocrisy 101 by David G. Guerra, MBA

"Do As I Say, Not As I Do" aka Hypocrisy 101

Why is this still a thing? For as long as I can remember, leading by example is the number one way for leaders to lead. Leading by Example, sets a standard that challenges followers to either match or exceed. Leading by Example is what all great leaders, either intentionally or unintentionally, do 100% of the time.

As unfortunate as it is to say, that even though it is 2022 there are still managers that believe that leading by example is not the way to lead. While, they may be aware that they cannot club someone/anyone over the head to get them to do something they want done. Those managers then resort to talking down to those they manage. They resort to threat. Worst of all, they resort to a tactic known as "Do as I say, not as I do" process.

A manager will set the expectation of the employees or staff or team members then almost immediately the manager does the opposite. For example, the manager demands all employees be at their desk and working by no later than 8:01am. Sounds plausible. Yet, the manager rolls in around five minutes to nine or sometimes around fifteen after 9:00am. Then when questioned by a team member the response from the manager is almost always "if they don't like it, they can leave." Now that's hardly the sound of a genuine leader. That is the action of an authentic hypocrite. 

 That someone who engages in the "same behavior or activity for which one criticizes another or the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform".  Yes, that hypocrite. 

That type of individual is not alone. they are not the anomaly, not the exception but they are, also, not the standard. Hypocrites are out there. How they are made can vary. Some say hypocrites are created when others they saw as mentors did to them that they now do to others. Sadly, those individuals grow to become managers (please note I never said they grow up to become leaders).  They do so because they do not know any better.  

The other train of thought when it comes to the birth of hypocrites, is that they have a deep-rooted sense of entitlement. Look at those individuals that obtain a degree and immediately that sense of "I know better than you do because I have a degree" comes into play. Sure enough, those individuals are truly believing that their degree trumps real world experience. As opposed to putting in the work and learning the right way, their mind is wrapped around the concept of that degree is the end all and be all.

Yet, there are "managers" that self-proclaim as leaders are out there behaving in a manner completely opposite of the "Lead by Example" mindset. Let me be the first to confirm what many are thinking when it comes hypocrites most will never change. That is why most will never understand why those they are supposed to be leading will never see them as leaders. 

The ability of the manager to change for the better is there ONLY if they want to change. Only when they realize that as managers, they can be more to the people that report to them, can they begin to change.

Changing for the better is realizing that the dictatorial mindset that comes with the "do as I say, not as I do" attitude is not the way to lead. Every manager must strive to become a leader. Every leader must do what it takes to fully understand that Leading by Example will be easier to set any standard than it is to dictate or, heaven forbid, micro-manage.

Managers if you do not believe that those that follow you are NOT watching you but following your ONE-SIDED demands let me be the first to tell you: YOU ARE WRONG!

They are watching everything. They are watching everything YOU say. They are watching everything YOU do. 

If you do not believe me then prepared for the end results that are sure to follow because of your naivete, your ignorance or your arrogance.

Thank you,
David Guerra

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

P.P.S. 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