Month: January 2014

“Leaders expect others to have strong measurable goals, and care about others achieving their goals as much as they do their own”

Goals are not worth having…….

  • If they are not thought-out
  • If they are not measurable
  • If they are not written down
  • If they are not often repeated and review in messaging and conversations
  • If results against the goals are not reviewed periodically
  • If no one cares about achieving them

Leaders have goals and expect those on their team to have goals as well.   Leaders will help their team formulate goals if needed, but do expect that it becomes a thought process in regards to what leads to success.    If there are goals, there is a plan behind those goals, and if there is a plan, it can be worked and leaders can help their team members and other leaders work the plan and achieve the desired results.

Leaders can truly serve their team members and “work for them” if everyone knows what the goals are, and cares about achieving them.

“Balanced Road Warriors are Leaders that others follow”

I have been a “Road Warrior” in the past due to the nature of our business and my love for customers, growth, and really out of necessity to be successful in business (when the majority of your customers are not in your home town or home state – you better be where they are).   Over the years, the toughest issue that always requires adjustment is the work-life balance.   Here are some things I have learned over the years about the best and most balanced Road Warriors:

  • They are the most successful in their profession and experience steady and rapid growth.   Dips occur only when balance is lost.
  • Others are blown away by what they accomplish and others attribute their success to things other than what it takes to be a balanced road warrior (they are wrong).
  • They have what I like to call a “balance pattern” of daily activities, and they maintain a similar rhythm even when not on the road.   Here is mine as an example:
    • 4:30AM – Wake up, take care of emails, review calendar/prioritize the day
    • 5:45AM – Hour work-out at hotel or at gym with tight-knit (go getters) group when I am in town.   I like the early morning workouts because you typically find yourself among the most successful group (on a pro-rata basis) in the gym.
    • 7:00PM – Get ready for the day, spend some time with my family, and always do Facetime if I am not in town.
    • 8:15AM – First meeting of the day regardless of being on the road or in town
    • Noon – Lunch with customer, co-worker, mentor, or just lunch at my desk.   Don’t have time for a 1.5 hour leisure lunch, and if I did that would be family time
    • 1:00PM – 5:00PM
    • 5PM – 6:30PM – Time to clean up my calendar and do some prep for the next day.  I also use this time to hold remote meetings with co-workers and customers in different time zones.
    • 6:30 – 10PM – Family time
    • 10PM – Bedtime, targeted
  • They work extremely hard.
  • They change when needed and are capable of discovering and invoking the need for change, rather than someone having to tell them it is time to change.
  • They have the full-support of their family and an agreement that family members will speak up right away if the balance is lost and adjustments are needed.  Most importantly is that their life partner understands and is agreeable to them being on the road.
  • Organizations are lucky to have these individuals on the team.

What is most noticeable is that others follow them; because not everyone can do it, and do it well.   Another interesting observation is that the top leaders in our country have been and maybe still are Road Warriors.   It is not for everyone, and the best advice is to make sure you have the support of your family and that your commitment to a strong work ethic is as strong as nails.   Both of these are needed to be a great leader and/or a great  Road Warrior.

Safe travels to all you Road Warriors out there – you are going to do great today!