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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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