Pack Leader?

My partner and I recently started hanging out with a couple from a town a little ways away. They are, quite frankly, a little older then I am but considering my partner is 9 years older them me, I figure it's a good thing for him and I really like them to so it's no bother. Anyways, the first thing you discover is that this family has dogs. Really, really big dogs. If fact, I have never seen dogs this size except on pictures on the T.V. They have what are called Mastif's. It also turns out that they are dog trainers. That's exciting. First thing that comes to mind is "The Dog Whisperer". When you hear this couple talk it is like taking a walk with Cesar Millan. I love it.

After visiting with this couple for the past couple of months we have really grown to like them and trust each other with privledged information, such as favorite cereals or flavor of ice cream, and so they know our financial situation. To say the least it's a little bare at the moment. It will get better soon though so I'm not to worried. However, in the mean time, they have offered to let me work with them and the dogs out at the farm when they need help and a little extra cash will go a long ways. I'm excited about that too.

This leads to me learning more about being a leader. While learning about leading the dogs I am going to be learning more about myself and what kind of leader I am and what I am capable of. In fact people have commented that just watching the show has helped them understand themselves better and to be more assertive leaders. Great! Just what I am looking for! So, now I've got a few more books (great, more reading) and I'm leaning how to be a pack leader. Hopefully, this is going to do it and I can update you further on my leadership training.

Leadership Quotes

While reading about leadership and learning more about myself I have discovered a few quotes that I really liked and I just wanted to share them.

As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others. - Bill Gates

The best morale exists when you never hear the word mentioned. When you hear a lot of talk about it, it's usually lousy. - Dwight D. Eisenhower

Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it. - Dwight D. Eisenhower

Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. - John F. Kennedy

We must open the doors of opportunity. But we must also equip our people to walk through those doors. - Lyndon B. Johnson

Your failures won't hurt you until you start blaming them on others. - unknown

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. - Eleanor Roosevelt

Leadership is unlocking people's potential to become better. - Bill Bradley

To succeed...you need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you. - Tony Dorsett

Being A Leader

I watched a video on youtube last night done by a fellow the name of Jonathan Budd. He was talking about what it truely takes to be a leader and some of what he said has really stuck with me.

His one comment was that to be a leader means you no longer need help from anyone else. Not meaning that you can't have a mentor but that you can make the decisions on your own and can answer any questions you need without having to turn to your upline in network marketing. He also said that you are not a true leader until you have helped someone else reach that level. I think it is a very valid point. It also complements something I read the other day about appearing as an expert in your business. Regardless of what happens, you should appear to know what the answers are. You don't need to know everything you just need to know more then the person that you are talking with.

The second point that he brought up really really stuck with me. He said that if you want to get professionals to work with you then you must appear as a professional. That makes sense. People tend to bond closest with the people that they have something in common with. This would also argue that if you want to be a professional then you should surround yourself with such people. Watching them, and examining how they deal with a situation will encourage growth in you as a leader. Finding a mentor that can help answer your questions and reinforce you with positive feedback and constructive criticism being aware of you as a person as well as being strong enough to tell you when your wrong is an essential asspect to learning to lead.