When I think of leadership the words that come to mind are, integrity, enthusiasm, vision and serving. In a nutshell those are the words that sum up leadership for me.

Let’s start with integrity. Have you ever heard the saying “your actions speak so loudly that I cannot hear what you are saying?” A leader must have integrity. People will not follow someone that they do not trust. What is your personal code of conduct? What are you modeling? Do you expect people to do things that you are not doing? Do you say one thing and do another? Do you tell the truth about your business opportunity and what you are earning? Do you make things seem better than they truly are? Whether we like it or not, our team will do what we do and follow our lead. My suggestion is to be sure that you are someone that you would want to enroll and work with.

Many people in this industry are taught the fake-it-to-you-make-it way to do business. I believe we have got that line confused. I do believe in acting as if you have made it. I do believe in positive thoughts and affirmations, I also believe in visualization. I believe that positive thoughts and deeds are what are going to get you where you want to be. What I don’t believe in is telling people fibs, or down right lies about how much you are making, I don’t believe in living extremely over your means to trick someone into thinking you are doing well, and I don’t believe in “tricking the deal” so that people hear nothing but hype from you and then they are disappointed when things don’t turn out as you promised. It is our duty as professional networkers to be honest and upfront with people. To show people that this is a real industry that they can honestly make their dreams come true. This is a business with a learning curve. If you are willing to do the things that most people aren’t willing to do your life will change. There is a better way out there and we have it.

Let’s now move on to enthusiasm and vision. It is impossible to be a great leader without enthusiasm and vision. Leadership in network marketing is different than most any other industry because we are leading a volunteer army. A good leader has enthusiasm and vision in abundance. Where do you see yourself going in your company? People want to join someone who is going to the top, someone who loves what they are doing. They do not want to take on a project. How do you sound when you are speaking about your business opportunity? Are you excited to show people what you have to offer? Are you proud of your company and your products?

Once people join your business a good leader always remembers that he/she is the leader. People are watching you and ready to do what you do. Are you out there leading from the front? Are you doing the money making activities in your business, or are you on the phone complaining that no one is working and you don’t know why your business is not growing.

Last but not least, all of the great leaders I know are servant leaders. A servant leader is one who is up at night getting things done while others are watching TV. A servant leader believes in others when they don’t believe in themselves. One of my favorite sayings is “ look for the best and praise it.” A great leader helps people to be their best. They know how to genuinely encourage others. A servant leader teaches people the way to do things and then steps out of their way so they can shine.

Until next time, remember I BELIEVE IN YOU!

Carol Briney is a Plan B Consultant. She can be reached at Carol@CarolBrineyWorkFromHome.com
To receive your FREE e-book How to Choose a Home-Based Business Using Business Criteria and Not Your Emotions go to http://www.CarolBrineyWorkFromHome.com

I have spent many years coaching and mentoring people to succeed in the business world. One of the biggest hurdles I see people having is with whom they talk and listen for business and prosperity advice.

My question to you is to whom do you listen?  Do you listen to the people who tell you that what you want will not work?  “Don’t try that – you’ll get hurt”.  Do you listen to the naysayers and the negative people?  Do you listen to the people who have been stuck in their lives, and most likely will stay stuck, because the devil they know is better than something new?

Consider this all of this mostly unsolicited advice is just simply people’s opinion.  There is absolutely no fact to most of it.  Actually, there is not even much thought put into it.  All these people are doing is sharing their fear with you.  Unfortunately, many people will hear these fearful thoughts, buy into them, own them and stop themselves dead in their tracks.  Most likely they will not even know what stopped them. They just stop moving forward and fall back in line with the people who told them that it couldn’t be done.

It always amazes me that so often we listen to these people.  I actually have no doubt that most of them mean well by giving us their sage advice.  Most likely they are trying to “save” you from all of the people who might hurt you.  What they don’t ever realize is they are the people who will hurt you if you let them.  They are the people who will hold you hostage with their “kindness”.

People with this mind set want you to be like them.  They will do their best to keep you stuck in their rut, too.

Successful people listen to people who can give them counsel on what they are choosing to do, people who can show them the ropes, and show them what steps to take.  Successful people listen to people who say what you want to do may be challenging, but it can be done.  Successful people seek out and listen to other successful people; they search for mentors and coaches who can show them the way.  Successful people do not spend their time thinking about why things can’t be done; they spend their time reading autobiographies of other successful people.  People who choose success are readers and they go to workshops to learn what they need to know to move forward.

Successful people take inspired action regardless of the fear they feel.  Each day successful people will take some action that will move them forward. They know that their success will come from a series of baby steps, so they take action, they get feedback from that action and they adjust their actions using the feedback.  Successful people know that their creator is behind them helping them, guiding them and paving the way for them; they know that they would not be given a dream they could not have.  Successful people will have failures as they take action, but they will always fail forward. They will always learn from their actions and tweak their approach accordingly.

In closing: Are you choosing success, or are you choosing to stay stuck in your rut?   The choice is truly up to you.

Until the next time I will you the BEST of ALL POSSIBILITIES!

Carol A. Briney