Conversations and strategies about how to stand out IN a crowd and create sustainable success while making a difference through high impact contributions.

Greetings,

Have you ever made a decision of significant impact, almost on gut instinct, with positive results?

For example, one leader leverages opportunities and moves through barriers and uncharted territory almost effortlessly, while another leader continually struggles and can’t figure out what to leverage and how.

Many of my clients, and possibly you as well, are frustrated and feel stuck because the ‘uncharted territory’ is increasing with mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, and continual leadership and business changes.

So, I did some informal research over the past few weeks to learn more about the practices and capabilities that result in success by taking diligent notes when I attended presentations delivered by two highly successful executive leaders.

Let’s start with a definition of SUCCESS by Merriam Webster: “the degree or measure of succeeding, favorable or desired outcome, attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence, one that succeeds”. Another simple definition of success is . . . “the progressive realization of worthwhile, pre-determined, personal goals.”

What do you interpret from these definitions? What I hear is that it circles back to your unique interpretation of success …

• How do YOU define success?
• What degree or measure do you use to determine whether you are ‘successful’ or not?
• What is the outcome you desire?
• What is the level of wealth, favor or eminence that defines success for you?

As one of the ‘highly successful executive leaders’ asked the audience this past week, What is your End Goal? (Let’s call it your Financial Freedom Day.)

Her question was a game changer for me! I dedicated time the following day to define my End Goal and sent my written description and goals to my coach (Yes, coaches also have coaches!)

It’s provided greater clarity and focus to my daily tasks because they are part of a more integrated plan and bigger picture for my life. Now, the fun begins – what are the competencies, practices, behaviors, and skills that I need to realize my End Goal?

And you know that I am now going to ask YOU to join the fun . . . define and describe your End Goal!

It’s the foundation for achieving your Financial Freedom Day, so schedule time for yourself to write it down and share with a trusted friend / success partner.

Read below to learn more about “HOW” to achieve your End Goal, one step at a time, and move through the barriers that are blocking you from living your legacy NOW!

Enjoy a fun and relaxing 4th of July weekend.

P.S. – Make sure to read the Announcement in our July Success Matters about our August 10 Unique Genius Virtual Café Event”!

Features:  What's Included ...

• Unique Genius Virtual Café
• Speaking Events
• Feature Article
• Gerrie Recommends

Our Unique Genius Virtual Café Event is scheduled on the second Tuesday of each month from 12:00Noon – 12:55pm to help you create sustainable success and stand out IN a crowd for your unique, credible expertise.

August 10, 2010: We’re on vacation in July, so watch for the announcement about our Guest Expert in our next edition of Success Matters, coming out in late July.

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To celebrate the message about ‘Unique Genius’, organizations and corporations are sponsoring speaking events to inspire and motivate their leaders! Watch for upcoming events in Success Matters.

• July 13: “Stand out IN a Crowd with Your Unique Genius”
  Blog Talk Radio, “Beyond Lip Service”: 10:00am PST / 1:00pm EST (30 minutes)

Listen In: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/beyondlipservice

• Focus: The NEW world of work requires a different set of leadership capabilities and strategies that calls for you, as business leaders and entrepreneurs, to be 'remarkable' and stand out with your unique promise of value to get known as an authentic, credible expert.

About the Host: Sharon Sayler - Speaker, Coach, Author

• Visit her website: http://sharonsayler.com/
• New book launch: August 2010, “What Your Body Says… How to Master the
  Message – Inspire, Influence, Build Trust and Create Lasting Business Relationships”

To learn more about Gerrie’s speaking and make a referral to your organization, click on link: http://www.successassociates.biz/speaking_workshops/

Phone: 610-429-0359
Email: gerrie@successassociates.biz

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During one of the presentations last week, the C-level executive outlined key steps to mapping out a strategic career plan, starting with questions, such as . . .

• How many years do you want / need to work?
• What financial goals drive your career plans?

Although these numbers have changed significantly for many with our changing economy, they have also served to revitalize many people’s careers and energized their life. Many business professionals are exploring entrepreneurial ventures, changing industries, and asking themselves, What legacy do I want to live NOW?

One of the six criteria of success, as defined by thought leaders in the success industry, is having worthy goals and ideals. It’s been quoted that people are incapable of functioning at their best unless they have clear goals to which they are committed, and worthy ideals in which they believe.

• Did you know . . . meaning and purpose are the strongest drivers in human nature?

I know what some of you are thinking … that’s fine to have ‘meaning and purpose’ as a philosophical base, but what about the challenges and barriers to achieving ‘worthy goals and ideals’ with the uncertainty in the business world right down to the basics, having gainful employment!

According to both executives who spoke last week, a foundation for all successful leaders is to be involved with something bigger than yourself. Based on my observation and experience, when a leader has a strong WHY for their work, they have more resilience and tenacity and overcome challenges with less residual impact.

Successful leaders have also uncovered and play by the ‘unwritten rules’. If a corporation is transparent and inclusive with a strong mentoring culture, these unwritten rules are easy to access. If not, the not knowing can make or break your career.

• So, how do you uncover these ‘unwritten rules’?

Again, it circles back to you . . . Building reciprocal relationships, recruiting informal and formal mentors, and ensuring that you have internal advocates who will put their professional reputation on the line for you.

As you know, it takes time to build these trusted relationships. With the continuous leadership changes and numerous mergers and acquisitions, some of the most influential leaders have changed companies or positions. As a result, entrepreneurs have lost key contracts with existing corporate clients and internal leaders have lost their advocates.

However, by volunteering for the right special projects or task forces, you widen your visibility and get known by influential and broader networks in the company for characteristics such as … takes initiative, team player, good communicator, socially and emotionally intelligent.

These characteristics “help build connections and make it possible to self-promote without appearing arrogant”. (Catalyst, 2008)

• Invest time to define your ‘End Goal’ and the worthy goals and ideals that are bigger than you and resonate with your WHY for achieving your goals!
• Be an observer about who would be an effective Advocate for you, and schedule a conversation to open a dialogue about the opportunity.

Tune into future editions of Success Matters and identify what you can do to discover more secrets to sustainable success!
 

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The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs … How to Be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience. Author: Carmine Gallo, Columnist, Businessweek.com Publisher: The McGraw Hill Companies, 2010

The story in SlideShare tells it all . . . http://www.slideshare.net/cvgallo/the-presentation-secrets-of-steve-jobs-2609477

For a snapshot about the 5 elements of every Steve Jobs presentation, read the author’s article in Business Week http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/oct2009/sb2009106_706829.htm

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