Mentalsidewalk

This past weekend I participated in the Push0r Mitchel Apple Triathlon. It wasn’t my first such event, but it was by far my favorite triathlon I have ever experienced.

The Main reason this triathlon was so special was that it was the first time I participated with my niece and nephew. Both Zal and Natasha took part in the (KOS) Kids of Steel race, and sharing this experience with them made it all the more special. It is so important to involve our kids in all aspects of our lives. We grew so much closer together, and I know its an experience we’ll all remember fondly.  Our children will always remember the experiences we share together.

While Zal and Natasha made this race extra memorable, the Pusher Mitchel Apple Triathlon is a special event in and of itself. In fact, when I was setting up my bike before the race, I struck up a friendly conversation with another participant. It was her first time in this triathlon, so she asked my opinion of it. I replied honestly that it was the best event I’d ever been to. Just looking around, it was obvious what set this race apart.

The volunteers were well informed, productive, but more importantly they cared about the racers, were passionate to be there and had a lot of fun.

I realized that such positive energy was a direct result of the leadership behind the event.

The President of the triathlon is Richard Montgomery. For those who aren’t familiar with Richard, he is a genuine man who not only has outstanding organizational skills but the passion to make others excited to follow his vision as well.

This quality leadership was evident in every volunteer and participant. Even my nine-year-old nephew felt the difference. After it was over, he commented that it was the best race we’d ever been at. People of all ages, genders, and backgrounds can sense good leadership, even if they can’t identify it. The business world would be a better place if there were more leaders like Richard Montgomery.

When I was biking up Knox mountain, I noticed another racer struggling. It was clear that she wasn’t exhausted, but that she was using the incorrect gear. Without a thought, I slowed down to help her, explaining to her how to use the gears properly. She thanked me and I continued on my way. I hadn’t gotten very far when another racer rode up next to me. He didn’t linger long, but as he passed, he said, “Her lack of preparation should not be your concern.”

He was a stronger rider, so it took some effort to catch up. When I pulled up beside him again, I told him simply, “Winning at the price of consciously being blind to the right thing is not worth winning at all.”

It’s hard to say if he took anything away from our conversation, but I know the woman had a better experience. When the race was over, I asked my nephew what he would have done if he’d crossed someone in need of help. Zal didn’t hesitate. “I would have to help them.”

Curious by his word choice, I asked him why he’d have to help.

Zal shrugged. “Because it’s the right thing to do.”

His plaintive response was better than anything else I experienced that day.

Overall, competing in this triathlon was challenging and satisfying. I’m glad I made time to participate and even more pleased that I had the opportunity to share this time with Zal and Natasha. It’s remarkable how much you can learn from something so simple.

Lesson One: Cherish moments with your children. Spending time with them is more valuable than anything else, and those are the moments that will last a lifetime.

Lesson Two: Real leadership makes a difference. Anyone can figure out want needs to be done in order to create success, but very few can make others want to be part of that journey. The only way to do that is to be an authentic leader.

Lesson Three: Always take the time to do the right thing. Winning is important, but being compassionate to others is even more valuable.

Fred Sarkari

Going to the doctor can be stressful, full of uncertainties and vague possibilities. It’s hard because most of us go to the doctor to find out things we can’t figure out on our own. We have to put our faith completely in the doctor, trusting our very health to his/her expertise and knowledge.

My recent trip to the physiotherapist was no different. I had made an appointment with Greg Smith from Kelowna Physiotherapist Associates As he was working on me, I asked Greg a question regarding an issue with my other leg.

He frowned thoughtfully, giving my leg a quick look. “Well, Fred,” he said with a slow nod. “I actually don’t know.”

For a moment, all I could do was stare. He didn’t know? How could my physiotherapist not know? I trusted him to know, I paid him to know.

He nodded again, collecting a breath before offering me a smile. “I’ll have to give it some thought while we take a closer look at your leg.”

It wasn’t the quick diagnosis I had been looking for, but as Greg conducted the rest of his examination, I realized it was the most reassuring answer he could give me. Sure, I didn’t know right away what was wrong with my leg, but I did know that I could trust my physiotherapist to be honest.

After all, Greg could have lied and could have made up anything. He could have planned five unnecessary tests to get more money out of me.

Instead, my physiotherapist kept his integrity and told me the truth. This honesty showed that he had my best interest at heart and that the answers he gave me were legitimate. When he did find the answer, I had no doubt that I could trust that as much as I could trust his initial uncertainty.

This lesson holds true in all businesses. No matter what you do, it is essential to be honest. Being a leader in the industry doesn’t mean you have all the answers. We’re all human, and as much as clients want to know everything at that moment in time, they also want us to be honest with our answers.

It’s a question we’re all likely to face in our business: what to do when you are unsure of the answer. Fortunately, we don’t have to know the answer. We just have to be honest, and that integrity will offer more to clients than false promises ever could.

Our clients do not expect us to know everything, but they do expect us to have integrity and be willing to take the time to source out the answers to their questions.

Fred Sakrari

One of the most critical elements of growing a business for the long term is knowing how to strategically plan for or make decisions about the future.

Igor Ansoff born 1918 in Russia is considered the grandfather of Corporate Strategy.

Igor identified 4 standard types of Corporate Decisions – Which I believe stand the test of time of creating a successful business.

PRODUCT:

Do you have a clear idea of what your business / product is responsible for?  This will connect to your brand, not only of your product and your company but in turn you as a person.

Your brand caries you into the future.  The power of your brand can create clarity in times of economic turmoil.

GROWTH:

We at times get so busy trying to keep up to daily activities that we never get around to creating strategies to actually grow our business effectively.

What plans have you created in order to excel the growth of your business for the long term.  This is so critical as no business just sustains it self.  It is either growing or falling behind.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE:

A competitive advantage is what you possess that will enable you to compete effectively no matter how the market or economy changes.

Most think that competitive advantage is something no one has.  If that was the case than everyone would be a ‘monopoly”  A competitive advantage is something your business prides on and creates a brand around it.

SYNERGY:

The whole is  greater than the its parts.  Successful people know that greatness cannot be built alone.  Surround yourself with like-minded and successful people.  Learn and work with the best.  And create synergy, partnerships, with other like-minded people.

Corporate Strategy can be your best friend or your worst enemy.  I have seen it time and time again, how people fall into the trap of “Paralysis by Analysis”.  This is where people take so much time to analyze everything and anything to a point of no implementation.

Paralysis by Analysis: Procrastination caused by over planning, leading to business failure.

The majority of our day is spent trying to communicate our message or to understand the relevance of a message from others. The question we need to consider is how many hours a day do we waste in frustration and ineffectiveness because we do not seem to be able to get on the “same page” in our communication with others.

Everything revolves around our core personalities; how we think and what we do.  And it doesn’t have to be conscious, because we have gotten so proficient at adapting our behaviors in situations that we forget who we really are and what really makes us tick.

By now you should have realized that there is no magic formula for successful leadership. There is no book, seminar or course that can inject the right ingredients into you and your situation to make you a successful leader. Consider those that you believe were successful leaders.  Did they all have the same personality traits?

For example, in managing information, a leader can be the center or hub of an organization’s communication wheel or he/she may prefer to sit at the end of a hierarchy that reviews information and simply presents them as options to the leader.  These are contrasting styles, but both can be effective in the right situations.

By its very definition, leadership involves providing guidance and direction to followers. Understanding how personalities influence actions, responses, purchasing decisions, etc. can help a leader provide guidance and direction.

Consider the impact of personalities on a sales meeting: We all know that purchasing decisions are not made solely on the merits of the product.  As successful sales professionals, we are constantly aware that it is our ability to communicate and build rapport with a potential buyer that greatly enhances our ability to close a sale.

There are several psychological definitions and categories of personality traits. Consider the following as a guide to help us start on our path to awareness.

QUESTIONER:
They are always looking for detailed facts and will ask many questions. Keep focused and be systematic with your conversation by avoiding jumping from one topic to the next. Be objective and back up everything with proof.

RUNNER:
Their minds are on multiple tasks and have the attention span that will last a few seconds.  They speak fast and move fast.  They are always looking for the conclusion and results. Therefore get directly to the point and than you can expand into the details. They always talk about results.

HELPER:
They are always looking after everyone’s needs and concerns.  They are more concerned about who you are as a person.  Once they understand you than they will want to talk about your product or service.

Be friendly and build rapport; talk emotionally; don’t pressure them; take your time; allow them to include others in decisions; give them one positive choice; help them justify their decision.

SEEKER:
They get excited about new things and adventures. They will not focus on details but more so the bigger picture.  Recognize them as being important; once you have built excitement and visualization than put details in writing and explain carefully.

Personalities have a major impact on your leadership style and success.  For those of you that find your interaction with others getting difficult or strained, it will be useful to Understand personalities and dealing with the differences.  This will prove to be one of the most critical tools to help you become a successful leader and connect at a deeper level with your relationships within your professional and personal lives.

Have you ever felt that your life is an unfinished puzzle and that you are constantly searching for the missing piece?… 

I used to have that same feeling. Corporate, business, personal—a piece of the puzzle always seemed to be missing and wouldn’t you know it, it was the piece that I really needed to take me to the next level. The most frustrating part about it was that I didn’t have the slightest idea what that little piece was, let alone where to find it!…

Would knowing that the piece was right around the corner have been enough to keep you searching? Probably. The truth is, most of us choose not to continue. We abandon our dreams and just exist. We start to just go with the flow and follow the mundane motions of the everyday. 

“The Top 5% are successful because they follow through
whereas the remaining 95% just get excited.”

“Intentions without implementation are as productive as
pushing the proverbial water up a hill with a rake.”

What we need to do is instill more desire in the hearts of our customers. More desire in the hearts of our co-workers and more desire in the hearts of those who we have personal
relationships with. Give them all reasons and purpose to pursue the life they have always wanted…

Every individual reading this book has the potential to be the very best in their industry, the Top 5%. Do you have the desire to commit to be the best?…

Rarely is the question ever about ability. Everyone reading this book has the ability to do what they want in his or her own lives. The question is do you have the desire to do the
things 95% of the people are not willing to do? 

It’s of the utmost importance that we simplify our lives and thought processes. We need to get back to the basics. We need to allow our minds to go back to a time of innocence and
exuberance, back to a time when there were a thousand times more challenges in life than burdens. We need to bring out the child within us…

Desire is one of the main character traits which lead to success. If you commit yourself to performing the same activities as 95% of the people around you, then you can expect
to receive what 95% of the people receive…

The truth is that the world is filled with people who have had to deal with the utmost of life’s challenges, and they have emerged victorious. It’s your desire, passion and purpose that
will allow you to endure what you need to, including going through the pain and suffering in order to get what you want out of life.

Book Launch: HOW THE TOP 5% THINK! – Principles Of Great Leaders

Fred Sarkari

Book Cover

As the elevator opened she stood with a frown on her face and her shoulders shrugged.  Her first comment was, “I am going to sell the place I am in, if you know anyone let me know.  This market is horrible, no one is buying.”

Real Estate in the States.  Billions of dollars lost.  Developers going out of business. 

The reply I heard from the developer I stood beside, Cal Desouza from www.belleviewcommunities.com, put a smile on my face as it occurred to me one of the major factors of the economy continuing to spiral for some.  

All he said was, “I just bought 250 units at McCormick Ranch, the good news is people are still buying.”

As we walked away, his comment was, “I am not going to let all these peoples negativity affect me.  We will not only survive the storm but we will thrive within it.”

Where we are is a direct reflection of our consistent daily thoughts.  Until people start letting go of their negative thoughts and emotions of the market the market for them will keep spiraling downwards.

Great leaders, salespeople, fathers, mothers, friends, the Top 5% of them all do not react to things around them.  As Cal always puts it, retool in order to thrive in any market.  

Change the way you look at things and the things that you look at will change.

Simple reason why Belleview Communities is Thriving in this market.

Fred Sarkari

Technology can be our best friend as well as our worst enemy.

I remember when Paul walked in with his mini briefcase.  We all sat there with amazement as he unzipped the case and plugged in the first Motorola cell phone into the power pack that lay within the brief case.

At that point in time only the ‘privileged‘ could afford the technology.  Now it seems like every kid in pre-school walks around with their own cell phones.

What used to be a luxury has now become a necessity.

At times we lose site of what we have gotten used to.  Those that have grown to rely on their blackberries can relate to my anxiety attack when I figured out I had left my charger in a hotel room.  

I did not realize how much I relied on this small piece of technology.  

Then you come to think of the true addiction.  Will my world end if I do not have access to my cell phone?  Especially on the weekend.

Technology can be very effective in this fast paced world we have created for ourselves.  At the same time it can be our worst enemy if we do not balance the usage.  

If we are not careful we will let technology control our lives instead of us controling the benefits of technology.

We have gotten used to always being attached and available to our clients.  True leaders use the technology to make their life more effective so they can be more attached and available to those that are their true priority; their partners, children, family and friends.

Effective leaders control the technology in their lives instead of the technology controlling them.

Now I am going to go enjoy my weekend without the disturbance of the phone and email glued to my hip.

Fred Sarkari

I have been to so many conferences and events that I believed I had seen it all — from the greatest success to the worst chaos — but this particular show stood out from most. It touched my heart with some of the most valuable lessons I’ve ever learned.

As an attendee at a trade show, sometimes we don’t realize just how much organizational effort goes into creating such an event. The logistics involved in planning a gala dinner, scheduling educational seminars, setting up technological requirements, promoting the event, coordinating people… it’s just astounding!

And it takes a special group to work together to pull it off. Everyone involved needs to be organized, cooperative, and willing to go several extra steps beyond their job description to get things done effectively.

I was recently at a trade show for the Mortgage Brokers Association of British Columbia and was privileged to learn so much more than I ever expected. Besides the industry knowledge that I went there for, I had the opportunity to see what happens behind the scenes. Not only that, but I saw the generous, human side of many people I met.

Over the course of the weekend, I identified 5 Business Lessons to Live By as demonstrated by the Board and volunteers who planned the event:

1. Help Others Succeed

The warmth of Joanne Vickery, VP Co-Chair Media relations, the stunning and elegant MC for the conference, especially made everyone feel like they were a valued part of a very supportive network.

Most of the men and women involved in the trade show can technically consider themselves in competition with the others. Yet no one behaved as if the others were the enemy to be defeated. They treated each other as friends and colleagues who were there to help and be helped. Each person’s contribution helped the industry to grow and everyone could benefit. Success was a group effort.

2. Share the Credit For Success with Others

At one point, as the conference was winding down, I was speaking with Joe Santos, the Chair of the MBABC, and I remarked on how great the show had been. His response was, “I cannot take the credit; it was everyone else on the board that made this happen.” He could have simply accepted the compliment, yet he chose to share the accolades with his team and acknowledge their contribution.

3. Fill the Gaps With Your Strengths

A team is built on the individual strengths of each member.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Meini Ickert, the Co-Chair Media relations, for a few years now. He is well respected throughout the industry and as I watched him in action, I could understand why. Meini has the rare gift of recognizing where his strengths are most beneficial to the group and he uses them there, whether it’s part of his job or not. He made it his priority to fill in the gaps so the whole unit remained strong.

4. Smile Through It All

Another organizer, Rob Regan-Pollock, the Co-Chair of Education, was remarkable in his ability to maintain equilibrium. No matter what unexpected events occurred, he dealt with them calmly and his quiet confidence affected others around him. Case in point: During one of the presentations, a laptop refused to cooperate (as technology often does) but that didn’t phase Rob one bit. He maintained his composure long past the point where others would have lost it. He fixed the problem while occasionally cracking jokes to relieve the tension. Rob has the gift of serenity and he used it to benefit the team in situations that could have easily escalated into crises. And he did it all with a smile on his face.

5. Show Dedication To Each Other And The Industry

With their individual strengths and diverse talents, each member of the board has one trait in common — dedication to each other and to the industry. Not one of these people placed their own wants above the needs of the group as a whole.

I’m sure that all these men and women involved in organizing the trade show are fiercely competitive with one another once they get back to their offices, but in the context of sharing and learning from each other, everyone is capable of giving and receiving knowledge and expertise so critical to the success of all.

5 Business Lessons to Live By:

1. Help Others Succeed
2. Share The Credit For Success With Others
3. Fill The Gaps With Your Strengths
4. Smile Through It All
5. Show Dedication To Each Other And The Industry

Leadership is about doing the right thing even when it’s…

Many of us would not readily admit to doing the wrong thing. We could, however, see our way clear to admit we did nothing. What is the difference between doing nothing and doing nothing wrong? Inaction is not the same as choosing to do what we know is right.

I was reminded of this the other day as I was watching the movie “Radio”. While a whole town turned a blind eye to the well-being of a mentally challenged young man, the high school football coach decided to do something, get him involved on the coaching team. When the school principal asked the coach, “Why do you do it?” Coach Jones replied, “It just seemed like the right thing to do.”

Sometimes we must find the courage to do what we know in our hearts to be right, even if we must stand alone in our convictions. These could be heroic acts like spearheading a public campaign against injustice, or changing company policy to protect the environment.

And sometimes doing the right thing requires small acts of kindness like giving your lunch to a homeless person. Professionally, it could be as simple as giving credit to the office clerk who made the brilliant suggestion — even if no one else would know. Yes, you could close your eyes and fill your own belly. You could allow your colleague to go unrecognized by doing and saying nothing. That would be the easy route.

Making the conscientious choice isn’t always convenient, easy, or popular but it is the right one if it makes the world a slightly better place.

Become aware, look for opportunities to do the right thing. Ask yourself in the ed of every day, did I take the opportunity to do the right thing today?

Fred Sarkari

Great Leaders Learn to Think Ahead but Act Now!

A friend of mine mentioned the other day that she had sprained her ankle when she stumbled down the stairs. “What were you doing?” I asked.

“Fishing in my purse for my keys.” Two minutes ahead, her mind was already on opening the door, not on taking each step down the stairs.

That got me thinking about how often we live in the future and miss out on the gift of the present. This month with everyone trying to get started on their New Year’s resolutions, we have our thoughts projected into the future. By the end of the year, we will have accomplished _____… but what about right here, right now?

Great Leaders Learn to Think Ahead but Act Now!

How many times have we missed a step, missed an opportunity, or missed a breathtaking moment because we were either in the past or in the future? Just think how effective a leader would be if (s)he were so far ahead that the followers lost sight of him or her — not very effective!

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with thinking ahead and visualizing our goals. Yet sometimes we project ourselves so far into the future that we forget to appreciate the precious moments we have here and now. While we journey forward to reach our goals, each step has to be in the present.

A good way to keep it all in perspective is to learn from the past, plan for the future, but live in the present. Take time to think about where you are going, but when you act, make sure that your mind is focussed on the present or you will risk missing a step. The consequences can be far worse than a sprained ankle.

As a leader of an organization, you can guide your employees and colleagues to focus on building toward the future while keeping them aware of what the company is doing in the present.

In your personal life, whether you are a spouse, child, parent or sibling, embrace the moments at hand, connect with them and live each moment like it is a life time within itself.

Fred Sarkari

Two men sat in a coffee shop. One of them, Richard, was looking considerably happier than when he entered. He dug around in his briefcase while the other man sipped at his coffee.

Soon Richard produced a Blackberry and prodded it with enthusiasm. “Let’s make another appointment,” he said. “Then we can figure out how I solve my business problem and get my career in order.” The other man had been telling Richard about the benefits of coaching, and Richard saw how it could turn his life around.

“Slow down a bit there,” said Coach. “I’m glad you’re excited. But now that you know the benefits of coaching, it would be helpful to know the process too. There’s a process good coaches must take their clients through — one involving analysis of your circumstances, goals, and values as well as a strategy for achieving them. You discover the behaviors that influence your choices and the philosophy that will get you where you want to be.”

Richard frowned. “How is any of that relevant right now? I realize coaching can be applied to a lot more than business, but I want to start changing my life by fixing my business problem first…don’t I?”

“Coaches can’t help you get the life you truly want by just dispensing advice and handing you a new goal. It’d be like dropping you in a huge city you’ve never been to before, giving you directions to a particular Starbucks, but not telling you where you’re starting from.” Coach tapped his finger in the middle of a napkin. “I’d be handing you a map with the ‘You Are Here’ missing from it.”

He paused to take a sip of his coffee before continuing. “We would walk through 5 key elements in the coaching journey, experiencing them together.

The first thing I’d do for you as a coach is show you where you’re at—First element of the journey. Awareness always precedes effective change. When you’re struggling to get that clear, unbiased view of the challenges you face in life, your coach helps you clarify the issues and gain the perspective you need. It is imperative that we are aware of the key issues at hand and not just the symptoms affecting your over all life. You learn much more than what’s wrong with the immediate situation. You look at your life as a whole and figure out what’s holding you back from maximizing your potential.”

Richard nodded. “Okay, that makes sense. What’s the next step?”

“Second element of the journey is to know where we want to end up not only in the aspect of what we want to achieve but more importantly discovering who we are and who we want to become as a person. We create direction in our lives when we define our values, goals, mission, vision, and purpose.

Coach took another sip and continued. “Your values, goals, mission, and vision come from knowing what you want out of life. This is the most important part of the second element: it’s the starting point of establishing purpose for your life.

Richard frowned again. “That sounds pretty big—‘purpose for your life.’ My purpose is to achieve my goals.”

The Coach replied, “try seeing it through the eyes of the third element of the journey. Why do we do what we do?

Setting your destination is one of the easy steps. Knowing why you are committed to reaching that destination is more challenging, you must remain true to your purpose, true to your values. An efficient leader lives everyday by being true to themselves and the things that they believe in.

Steven Spielberg, a leader in the motion picture industry, was once asked how he knows what kind of movies his audience wants to see. He said: “I don’t. I just know what kind of movies I’d like to see, and those are the ones I make.” This is an example of a leader listening to his heart.” The best reason for doing something may simply be because it’s something you love to do.
What could be more inspiring or provide justification for a course of action than that?

Martin Luther King Jr. changed a nation because people knew his reason for his actions.

Through this process I will help you link your goals to purpose so they can last for the long term for a goal is only a marker or milestone along the way.”
Coach took a business card and began writing on the back. “Here’s something I remind my clients of when I follow up on their action plans. If you take anything from our meeting today, it should be this.” He pushed the card across the table. On it was written:

Goals are external – purpose is within us.
Goals are milestones – purpose is everlasting.
Goals leave you thirsty – purpose is happiness.

Richard took the card and read it. “Once you know your purpose,” Coach continued, “you easily complete the third element of the journey, which is having clarity in why we want what we want.”

A coach’s job is to steer their clients toward this desired lifestyle, help set goals for getting there, and then empower them to complete the action plan they’ve created.”
“Yeah, you said something about action plans before,” said Richard. “I take it that’s when I work out how to reach my goals?”
“Exactly,” replied Coach. “That’s the forth element of our journey together: becoming responsible for your desires through a specific action plan. Your coach helps you create a strategy for achieving those specific goals you’ve developed. But more importantly, your coach helps you implement your strategy, addressing the obstacles and helping you through the fear and discomfort of going through the transition phase of change. We will support you through direction, encourage you to visualize your passion and assist you in obtaining your purpose.
Richard, who had been squirming at the mention of action plans, raised his eyebrows. “That doesn’t sound too bad,” he said.

Coach nodded and continued. “And that support carries over to the 5th and last element of the journey: Following up and refinement. Like I said, we’re with you in making this exciting transition into a more satisfying life. It makes sense—if we’re both going to the trouble of creating an action plan, we want to make sure it actually happens. I would be checking on your progress and guiding you throughout the process. The critical part of the fifth element is for us to refine the journey on an ongoing basis; in essence to see what is working best for you and how to optimize the journey to meet your desired results.”
Richard sat back and gave a low whistle. “Again, wow. I had no idea coaching was so in-depth.”

“It is. And many highly successful people hire a coach with the goal of gaining an extra edge to attain success in a competitive world.” Coach folded his hands on the table. “Do you think this is something you’d be interested in?”

“Let’s make that next appointment,” said Richard.

5 Critical Elements of Coaching:

1. Become aware of your present life situation
2. Discover your desired outcome
3. What is the main purpose of this journey
4. Create a specific action plan and implement
5. Refine the journey on an ongoing basis

Fred Sarkari

Stop Trying To Create Your Purpose.

It seems like everywhere we turn, every book we read and every conversation we have is linked to creating our purpose in life. As valuable as this word purpose is to our lives, it has been over used, devalued and misunderstood.

Everyone one of us is born with a purpose. What we have to realize is that in order to create that happiness in our lives that we so long for – we do not necessarily have to fulfill our purpose but chase it and live it every day.

So the question that is flourishing in your minds at this moment in time – how do we create our purpose? We do not create it, it has always been within us and always will be – we have to find the courage to look it in the eye and embrace it.

That is the same for your business, if you do not revel its purpose to those around it then all you will create is a Time Treadmill. You will work hard everyday, time will pass you by yet you will still be at the same place you started from.

Fred Sarkari

Presentations these days seem to be synonymous to success. Any position within any industry not only seems to require but at times demand the fearful skill of public speaking.

Awareness precedes change, in other words we cannot change anything in our lives without being aware of our present situation. Then the question is, why do we fear presentations to such extent? One of the main fears of the human mind is the ‘unknown’. That is why we are at some level fearful of entering even our own homes that we have lived in for years without turning on the lights.

Presentations have a fear of the unknown; we are uncertain of how the audience will respond to us and our topic at hand. Keeping that element in mind, do not let the uncertainty sway your mind and energy off your presentation.

I was just asked for some pointers on doing a 10 minute presentation. Being such a critical topic in our life I wanted to share the main points with everyone.

The principles of presentations apply to any length, topic and industry.

1. VISUALIZATION:

One of the most critical points to keep in mind is the visualization prior to the presentation. Most will start worrying about how people will react to them and their topic. In turn, most of your mental power on the stage will be wasted. Visualize exactly how you want the presentation to unfold. Try to see every detail of the presentation unfold within your mind. Reality is a reflection of the thoughts that we unfold in our minds on a daily basis.

2. CAN’T MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY:

If a presenter believes he/she will make everyone happy all the time they will not make anyone happy.

3. POWER POINT SLIDES:

If you are using a power point presentation. keep the content to a minimum as it is not meant to have your entire presentation on it. The point of the slide is to remind you of the message you want to get across and a visualization for the audience to feel. In that case either use bullet points or pictures.

2. NOTES TO A MINIMUM:

You know your topic so keep notes to a minimum. For your notes, do not use sentences or you mind will want to read it. Use key words that will remind you of what you want to say, then just talk about your message.

3. KNOW YOUR MESSAGE:

Know the key messages that you want to get across. Have a few key messages that will keep you on track and focused.

4. EMOTIONS THROUGH STORIES:

If you can, do not just say the messages out. Before every message see if you can find a relevant story to make the point. The story does not have to be industry related. The point of the story is to elicit an emotion, any emotion. This will get them to not only give you their attention during the critical message but more importantly get them to feel it and in turn visualize your message. People will forget what you told them in a few days but will remember how you made them feel for a lifetime.

4. START WITH A STORY:

Start the presentation with a story. Again, you are shooting for an emotion. What emotion they feel is not as relevant as them feeling something.

5. AGE OF INFORMATION:

We are in the age of information, since we are bombarded by information the minds of our audience have shut down. The only way to open the mind is to get them to feel first.

6. SUMMARIZE:

Just like a well written essay, do not forget to summarize your main message points.

7. HAVE FUN:

Most critical element of them all, is to make sure you have fun while you are up on stage. Best way to do that is be yourself. The right people want to deal with those that are true to them self as this makes you predictable and consistent and in turn elements the element of the ‘unknown’.

Fred Sarkari

He sprints up the mountain for 10 km.  He hits that punching bag like it is his last punch and kick.   He is the fastest and has the best conditioning of them all in the gym.

Part of being a true leader are not the speaches that you give, the carisma that you portray, the positions you have obtained, but simply the actions that you live by and the thoughts that propel your intentions.

 We were sitting in a pub in North Thailand with Ben, an Englishman who lives in Thailand to train as a Muay Thai fighter.  He went on to say how every morning people show up with ‘words of intent’ to run faster than him, train harder than him.  Ben goes on to say how he wakes up every morning with the INTENT to run his best run, to have his best training session, to hit the bag as hard and fast as he can.

A rippling effect in a pond is created by that first rock.  The bigger the rock the bigger the ripple.  That is the same as our thoughts and intent in doing what we do.  Everyone that tries to run faster than Ben are using a small rock, as their intent is ill placed.  Ben on the otherhand grabs the biggest rock one can; to be the best he can be regardless of those around him.

Your thoughts are linked to your intent which leads to the effectivness of your outcome.  

Next time you tie your runners, tie them for yourself first.  Be the best that you can be.

SOP 5.  Leaders Continuously Refine What They Know— Repetition

In order to take your business to the next level, it is not enough to just know what to do, but to consistently do what you know.  The ability to repeat a calculated action plan will refine what you do, creating a more efficient process along the way.

This means not only focusing on the things you do best, but doing them often enough to get where you want to be!

Og Mandino, author of “The World’s Greatest Salesman” wrote: “My dreams are useless, my plans are dust, my goals are impossible.  All are of no value unless they are followed by steady action.”

The more often we do something, the more refined our process becomes, and the higher heights we attain. Anthony Robins said it best. “Repetition is the mother of all skills.”

In a world in which business is more competitive then ever, it is important for us not to settle for mediocrity but to emulate the successful.  Do not believe for a second that you can be a part-time leader.  True leadership is a habit. It is up to you to make it a good or bad habit.

The concept of Standard Operating Procedures provides a foundation for good habits.  Would you trust a pilot that did not have a set of Standard Operating Procedures to insure the greatest chance of success in your flight?  If not, why should your clients trust you if you do not have SOPs in your personal and business life to ensure the greatest chance of success in their relationship with you?

5 Steps to Successful Leadership

1. Leaders know what they stand for – Be aware of your present situation

2. Leaders know where they want to end up – Know your desired destination

3. Leaders always know the reason why? – Know why you are doing what you are doing

4. Leaders know what it takes – Leaders Implement their action plan

5.  Leaders continuously refine what they know— Take your system to the point of efficinecy through repetition

Fred Sarkari

Step 4 Leaders Know What It Takes.  Leaders Implement an Action Plan

All of the preceding steps become null and void, unless you are willing to take action—action to start the journey, to occasionally re-assess that journey and to implement all the little steps that are needed to move you in the right direction.

Knowing what it takes to get something done doesn’t really mean having all the answers yourself.  Albert Einstein summed this one up best when he said “I don’t need to have all the answers myself, I just need to know where I can find the answers when I have to.” It also means having the confidence to trust your team.

Most people set their goals first—creating their direction in life without understanding why they are doing it.  Sure they know what they want to accomplish or attain in life, but do they know why.  That is why they are never happy, always searching for more, never fulfilled.  Once a person can answer the question why, their entire direction and goals can be defined.  Your goals will be the stages you need to pass through when your life is directed by a purpose.

Here is where you set detailed tactical action plans that are linked to why you want to accomplish your set goals.

The last step in this process will be posted tomorrow

Fred Sarkari

Step 3 Leaders Know Why They Want To Do It?  Leaders Always Know Why?

Setting your destination is one of the easy steps.  Knowing why you are committed to reaching that destination is more challenging.

You must remain true to your purpose, true to your values. A leader who combines their commitment with leadership traits, such as being steady, consistent and reliable is well on the way to meeting his or her goals.  An efficient leader lives everyday by being true to themselves and the things that they believe in.

Steven Spielberg, a leader in the motion picture industry, was once asked how he knows what kind of movies his audience wants to see.  He said: “I don’t.  I just know what kind of movies I’d like to see, and those are the ones I make.”  This is an example of a leader listening to his heart.”

The best reason for doing something may simply be because it’s something you love to do.
What could be more inspiring or justifying for a course of action than that?

Martin Luther King Jr. changed a nation because people knew the reason for his actions.

Do your clients know why you do what you do?  If not, then you give them no choice but to believe you do it for a paycheck only.

The 4th step will be posted tomorrow

Fred Sarkari

Step 2: Leaders Know Where They Want to End Up — Leaders Know Their Destination

Microsoft, the leading software company has a motto, “Where do you want to go today?” The second thing all leaders have in common is they know where they want to go, they know what they want to achieve, and more importantly they know who they want to become.

Are we not building partnerships with our employees and clients? If so, how much more effective would they be if we helped them through that process.

In this case, awareness allows you to set clear objectives. Just like we have to know where we’re starting from, we also need to have a clear vision of what we want to achieve. Help your employees and clients create clarity for their desired destination.

Dr. Edward Banford from Harvard stated – “people that rised in their fields were able to look long term.  When you walk do you look at your feet?”

Leaders have taken the time to create a certain level of awareness that the people who are following do not yet have for themselves. They require, expect, and sometimes even demand that they be told which way to turn.

They require it because they simply don’t know the way. That feeling of “not knowing”, which happens to all of us, is what makes us feel insecure. Uncertain. Unsteady.

Where do you want to go, meaning what do you want to achieve, create or experience – what is it you want to do that will give your life a sense of personal fulfillment, purpose or meaning, a direction that will allow you to make decisions and have certain kinds of experiences…..

Step 3 0f 5 will be posted tomorrow

Fred Sarkari

Here is the first step in creating success at anything in life.  In fact without this step most can never move forward yet feel like they are working around the clock and going in circles.

Leaders Know What They Stand For—Awareness Precedes Change

I remember being at a client’s office building where I was asked to go and see another employee one floor up from where we were.  Not being aware of the floor I was at, I had two choices when I entered the elevator, try every button and get off at every floor one at a time until I found the right one or simply step outside the elevator and become aware of the floor I was starting from.  Until I became aware of where I was, I was not able to get to where I wanted to be.

You see, awareness always precedes change but often in our professional and personal lives we press every button we can get our hands on.  If you want your business to escalate, become aware of your business, employees and clients’ present situation.  Then and only then can you have control of the desired outcome.

Lack of awareness leaves you no choice but to be reactive to every situation.

Harvard University did a study on great leaders across the world.  What they found was that their number one characteristic was self-awareness.  These leaders we look to for inspiration and direction are not only aware of their present situation in finite detail but they are also aware of who they are and what they stand for.

Our clients always test our values.  Unfortunately most do not know what they truly value—and therefore will never know who they are and what they stand for in business, let alone in their lives.  In our highly competitive industry, we have to ask ourselves “are our values consistent with our daily actions?” Clients want to follow someone who knows what they value or live what they say they value.  Furthermore, anyone who is not passionate about what they do and where they are going will always travel alone.

Ask yourself, what do the people in your professional and personal life believe you are and what do you stand for?   One day Mohandas Gandhi, the Indian political and spiritual leader, decided to walk down the street and 10,000 plus people ended up following him.  They followed him because it was clear who he was and what he stood for.

Would you send someone referrals if you did not know who they were and what their business stood for?  Why should they send you referrals?
The second step will be posted tomorrow.

Fred Sarkari

I can’t recall when I first heard the saying “Leaders are born, not made”. At first I really didn’t give it much thought. However as we continue through this journey known as life, we start to ponder on some of these things… well at least I do.

Does a doctor, after delivering a newborn child, say, “Wow! A new successful leader is born today?” Do we read in the newspaper that “three successful leaders were born today at the local hospital”? Are some people genetically disposed to success? I am happy to report that success in any business first consists of adopting key character traits. However, simply adopting these character traits in of itself does not make you a leader any more than loose ingredients are a cake. Secondly, in order for us to grow our businesses to the next level we need to employ a proven system of success.

Pilots conduct Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) prior to every flight in order for them to have the best possible chance of a successful flight. Similarly, those that scuba dive, perform SOPs before and after every dive to insure the greatest chance of success.

Those ‘special’ people who seem to have that magic touch—the true leaders, the ones we admire and look to as a source of inspiration in any business or chosen adventure—also have an SOP in their lives.

The 5 Critical Elements will be posted one a day for the next 5 days.