The difference between 'Followers' and 'Leaders'

The difference between followers and leaders is relatively simple.  Followers tell you what you want to hear and leaders tell you what you need to hear.

As a leader I think it is pretty evident why you would want to look for other leaders in your corporation. Although it is nice to have people agreeing with you; it may not be what is best for you or your company.  You need someone is going to be able to tell you what you need to hear and early enough that you can make the corrections or at least take their advice into consideration.

Having Leaders work for you can save your company a lot of time and wasted energy.  Though you may lose them, because other people will want to hire them and they will want to be promoted. You can find satisfaction knowing that you were a part in their success.

Greatest Leaders

I have asked you to share your favorite quotes. Now I would like to know who you think is the greatest leader of all time is. And please explain why.

What is your favorite Motivational Quote

Today I will try something different. Instead of myself rambling on. I want to open up the floor to see if I can build my stock of quotes, from ones that you all like. 

So I pose the question. What is your favorite motivational quote?

Let's start a discussion about them.

The cost of knowledge

Knowledge is priceless you need to continue to learn and strive for things other wise you will become insignificant. We must learn constantly and learn as much as we can about all different subjects. Not only will this make you well rounded, but you will become much more interesting to be around. So learn constantly and share your knowledge. I like to follow the Learn, Earn, Return policy. Spend your time learning all that you can (this is continuous) then earn money for what you know through your job, and then enlighten others to what you know.  Life is too short to not give back and have a duty to fellow mankind.



But wait education is expensive isn't it?

Well to answer that, I like to use this anonymous quote I once heard.

"If you think education is expensive, you should try ignorance."

Independence

This video is very encouraging. It is a former Marine singing another verse of the star spangled banner.

http://www.thefoxnation.com/culture/2010/06/07/watch-marine-stuns-crowd-tea-party

enjoy and remember all those fighting for our continued Independence this up coming weekend.

the LEADERS post: Frank Abagnale Jr.

the LEADERS post: Frank Abagnale Jr.

Frank Abagnale Jr.

I don't know what you know of Frank Abagnale Jr. The name may sound familiar to you, that is probably because you are a Tom Hanks fan, or Leonardo DiCaprio fan, or you just like great movies. The movie "Catch Me If You Can" is loosely based on the life of Frank Abagnale Jr.

If you aren't familiar I first recommend that you become so. But just for sake of time. Frank was only 17 when he started counterfeiting and conning. In his lifetime he forged over $2.5 million dollars in checks. He also successfully pretended to be 8 different people. And also successfully lived life as a airline pilot, a doctor, a prison inspector, and a lawyer. And just in case you were curious about this man or impressed yet, he escaped police custody two times. Once was while aboard a taxing airplane, and once from a state penitentiary. This was all before the ripe old age of 21. Oh yeah he now teaches the FBI about counterfeits and runs a counterfeit consulting company. Just as icing on the cake.

Frank Abagnale Jr. is a  role model of mine. Now just wait before you pick on him for all the bad things he has done. That's not why he is  a role model of mine. Frank had a dream and a goal. He is a role model of mine because he showed confidence and poise and that is why others believed that he was all the people he claimed to be. He did not let where he came from or who he was growing up hold him back from becoming what he wanted to be. And once he did get caught and spent time in jail. He still didn't become just some dead beat criminal he used the skills he taught himself to start his own company and work for the FBI (the same people that put him away).

I think a quote from Dennis Waitley suits this well, he says, "It's not what you are that holds us back, it's what we think we are not."

And I think Frank's story exemplifies that perfectly. So just because you weren't born into money. And your family doesn't have all the best stuff. Or your boss didn't like or approve your idea. Don't assume you are a failure. Be confident, be committed and become what you think and know you can.

P.S. Another one of my favorite quotes comes from the movie mentioned above. It is actually a quote told to Frank Jr. by his father. It goes, "You know why the Yankees always win? Cause the other team can't stop staring at those pinstripes."

Now I like it, because I take as if you show confidence and can play the part of what you want to be. People will buy into it every time.


Happy Father's Day to all you dad's out there.