Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine MOMENTUM Feb_Mar 2019 | Page 36

BUSINESS OF LEADERSHIP BONNIE BENKULA, BSHCA, MBA Serial Entrepreneur: Certified Coach, Mentor & Teacher, DISC Consultant - The John Maxwell TEAM Business Owner: CareBuilders at Home, FCBB Business Brokers [email protected] LEADERS TAKE ACTION That’s What They Do to Act Now Y ou are in charge of your happiness & your happiness affects many other people. Yes, I know, Leadership is not always easy. Here are 5 immediate actions you can take to prepare for success in the New Year. 1. Work on your influence as much as you work on your goals. Skills and competencies get you there but having a good ethical foundation keeps you there. Work on building your character by immersing yourself with positive input and positive people. 2. Work on your life balance and schedule your highest priorities into your calendar. Stop working seven days a week & be present with those you love. alendar time for your spouse, kids, parents, siblings and best friends. Commit by blocking time, sending invites and truly prioritizing your priorities! 3. Choose gratitude. Give thanks when you wake up, count your blessings and put on your smile. Apparently, many leaders feel stressed and their standard expression is not a face of grace. Did you know your smile is the single most influential expression on your entire body? Simple right? Let’s do it. 4. You have two ears and one mouth, try listening twice as much as you talk. Most self-confident and savvy communicators would rather talk than listen. Try something different. Put down your phone, don’t interrupt, quit looking at your computer and make real eye contact. Your attention to others demonstrates that you value them. Your listening skills will increase their loyalty and your bottom line! 34 MOMENTUM 5. Make the decisions you’ve been putting off now and do it fast. Your inaction on decisions are negatively affecting your organization and the moral of your team. What decisions do you need to make? Underperformers? Quit ignoring them. Make the hard decisions. High achiever? Acknowledge them and reward them now! They may not say it, but everyone is waiting on you to make the tough decisions. Accept it, it’s on you. It’s time to get out of your comfort zone. You will not grow if you don’t. Decide now to quit surrounding yourself with “yes” people and consider investing in a coach, find a mentor, or at the very least ask your key players, supervisors, colleagues, clients, “How am I doing?” Brace yourself for real answers, prepare for greater success and a plan for growth that will not only allow to take immediate action, but one that will change your life and those you lead and those you love. Why not go for it, the benefits might be life changing! Leaders take immediate action, that’s what we do.