HEADLINES RESOLUTIONS & GOALS TELESEMINAR NOW AVAILABLE ON CD -- Learn how to succeed in your resolutions and outline a plan for success! This ain't your usual goal setting workshop. The CD of the teleseminar is now available. http://www.leadwithvision.com/teleseminar WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR GOOD ARTICLES on leadership. Send queries to Todd Brockdorf mailto:todd@leadwithvision.com ########################################## VISIONARY LEADER Volume 1, Issue 3 - March 2003 Publisher: Todd Brockdorf Todd@leadwithvision.com http://www.leadwithvision.com (C) Brockdorf & Associates 2003 ########################################## Why just lead, when you can lead with vision? ========================================== Please recommend this E-Zine to anyone you know that is interested in being a better leader. (It's also a good way to develop leaders for your organization. Send this e-zine and tell them that they have the potential.) If you are receiving this issue as a forward, and would like to get your own free subscription, visit http://www.leadwithvision.com/ezinesubscribe.html To remove yourself from this list see bottom of this email. PRIVACY STATEMENT: We will not share, sell, or rent your address to anyone. Period. ============================================= IN THIS BELATED MARCH ISSUE ============================================= 1. Leadership Skills - Negotiation 2, Burning Bridges 3. Who is Watching You? ************************************ ===================================================== 1. Leadership Skills - Negotiation ===================================================== LEADERSHIP SKILLS - NEGOTIATION by Todd Brockdorf As much as we want them to, things don’t always go as planned, especially when multiple parties are involved. I recently found myself in the middle of a situation, mediating a compromise between two individuals. I am the managing editor for another publication. What that means is that I have the final say as to what gets published, but I work with the writers and editor to produce a quality newsletter. However, one of the writers did not like the way in which her feature story was edited by the editor. In my opinion, the editor did have some valid edits, but there were a few places where the text needed to remain as the writer had written it because some of the details were important. Overall, the intent of the story was not changed. As leaders, part of the unwritten job description includes the line: "Must possess good negotiation skills." Inevitably conflicts will arise. Whether we are leading organizations or leading our lives, dealing with others will lead to some disagreements, or at the very least, situations where we do not see eye-to-eye. Whether it is buying a new car, asking your boss for a raise, or trying to get the kids to eat the green beans, by truly understanding the position of all of the involved parties, it is easier to negotiate a compromise that will appeal to everyone. Once the objectives are clear for each side, brainstorm ways to find an amicable solution. What are the key items that each side cannot live without? What are some items that are nice to have, but could be relinquished if needed? It is in these thoughtful moments where creativity might need to shine. In the case of the writer, she wanted to ensure that her voice was heard. The editor wanted to be respected through the changes that she had made. We reached a settlement that incorporated ideas from each side. When you are in a negotiation, who knows what is possible. The final outcome might be better than the original plans. *************** GET BACK ON TRACK ******************** LEARN HOW TO SUCCEED IN YOUR RESOLUTIONS AND OUTLINE A PLAN FOR SUCCESS! THIS AIN'T YOUR USUAL GOAL SETTING WORKSHOP. THE CD PROGRAM IS NOW AVAILABLE. http://www.leadwithvision.com/teleseminar ****************************************************** ===================================================== 2. Burning Bridges ===================================================== BURNING BRIDGES by Todd Brockdorf You probably have heard of the saying, "Don’t burn your bridges." Right? That’s a choice that we make because someday we may need that bridge again. I was once a young, college student facing graduation in a matter of months, begging companies to hire me, even with my low GPA, high student loan debts, and I had no job prospects to follow. One company sent this short, distinctive man with glasses for the first round interviews. He heard my plight and kindly passed me on to the next round. As a thank you, I sent him a note of appreciation. Eventually, that company offered me a job and they promptly sent me and all of their new college recruits to ten weeks of training. When the training is over, I selected a city, and reported to the office. The second person that I met at the office is that same short, distinctive man with glasses from nine months ago. "Hey, I remember you. Thank you for that note of appreciation," he says. He was working in a different job from before, but one and a half years later, he became my manager. You never know whom you’ll be working for or working with or who will be working under you. If you make the conscious choice not to burn your bridges, you may be rewarded down the road. If you have had a falling out with a friend or coworker or haven’t talked with someone in a long time, I challenge you to invite him or her to lunch to "bury the hatchet" or reacquaint yourselves. If they have moved to a different part of the country or world, call them up. After all, you never know when you may need their help or expertise or shoulder to cry on. ************************************ ===================================================== 3. Who is Watching You? ===================================================== Who is Watching You? by Todd Brockdorf It is often told to professional speakers that you are on-stage from the moment that you leave your front door. You are only off-stage once you return home and your front door is closed. As leaders, that same philosophy holds true. You can never be sure of who is watching you, what they will notice about you, and the image that you portray to others. Do you always live up to your ethical standards? Do you try to bring out the best in people? Are you someone that others want to be around? Do you not embarrass yourself too much? For example, a few days ago, I was at an organization’s meeting. Though I was not scheduled to speak, I was known by most of the audience for my high-ranking position that I hold in the organization. Chicken wings were served as part of the meal for the event. Barbeque, spicy, and honey mustard wings oozing with sauce were calling my name. I was hungry and I am a sucker for good wings. I had to have some, so I took one of each and put it on my plate. I sat down and began to eat. By the time I was done with my first wing, I had sauce on all 10 fingers, a red, barbeque moustache, and chicken pieces stuck in my teeth. It was an excellent wing, but I was a mess. It then hit me that I was not in an intimate gathering of friends or alone in the privacy of my home, but rather with a roomful of 50 people who look up to me as a leader. What kind of image was I projecting? Did I really want to leave the impression in fellow members’ minds that I was some kind of untamed, famished beast that finally found some meat to eat? I quickly grabbed my napkin, wiped my face and fingers, and rushed to the restroom to wash my face. Though I was hungry and desperately wanted to taste the other two wings, I decided to leave those uneaten. Two important lessons learned from this experience is that one, you are always on-stage, so be the example. Be the role model that others can emulate. Try not to embarrass yourself too much. Second, and possibly most important, never eat chicken wings at a public event. ************************************ ****** EARN BIG REFERRAL COMMISSIONS ********* You can earn a 10 - 25 percent commission for referring Todd for speaking engagements. Commissions normally start between $200.00 and $500.00 depending on your level of involvement. For complete details email Todd at todd@leadwithvision.com *********************************************** ===================================================== F^R^E^E ARTICLES FOR YOUR PUBLICATIONS ===================================================== All of my articles are available for reprint in your publication, company newsletter, etc. You may use articles written by me that you see in VISIONARY LEADER. Back issues can be viewed at: http://www.leadwithvision.com/Ezine/backissues.html OR mailto:freearticles@leadwithvision.com for an automated list of additional articles. All you have to do is print the article in its entirety along with the by line at top and the credits, and complete contact information at the end of each article. I would also appreciate a tear sheet or electronic copy. Thanks much. *********************************************** ===================================================== To subscribe to VISIONARY LEADER visit http://www.leadwithvision.com/ezinesubscribe.html For Back Issues visit: http://www.leadwithvision.com/Ezine/backissues.html ===================================================== Brockdorf & Associates 1522 Oakfield Dr. Ann Arbor, Michigan USA 48108 734.663.3854 mailto:Todd@leadwithvision.com http://www.leadwithvision.com <<<>>> <<<>>> <<<>>> <<<>>> <<<>>> <<<>>> <<<>>> <<<>>> <<<>>> To remove yourself from this mailing list, send an email to: mailto:remove@leadwithvision.com