Leadership Tools and News

Our ability to maintain our bodies with a healthy reserve of vigor and energy, to be ready for any unexpected event and to feel Fit For Life is a key secret for all achievement.

"Health is the vital principle of life."
- Thomson

The grandest work a human being can do is to keep herself fit for the greatest thing she is capable of doing, the highest service she is capable of rendering; alwasy up to the level of her greatest efficiency.

"Nature demands that man be ever at the top of his physical condition. He who violates this law must pay the penalty even though he might sit on a throne."
- Unknown

Every able human being can, if he so decides, raise himself to a higher physical condition. He can refuse disease and discomfort, and at the same instant he can enjoy the many benefits of physical fitness.

When the body is in superb physical condition, it stimulates the mind and provides the whole person with the desire to achieve more in this life.

Never use the old excuse, "I just have no time." You can always make the time, even if only by rising one hour earlier in the morning or by changes one existing habit that is not serving you.

You would be the first to criticize a carpenter working for you that used only dull tools and excused himself by saying that he had been "too busy" to sharpen them. What a pitiful excuse for making a lazy choice!

The carpenter with dull tools wastes more time than it would take to sharpen them several times over, to say nothing of the inferior work he will turn out with lazy tools.

The time it will take you each day to become and remain physically fit is the best self-investment you can make. When you body is right, you mind will be right and more things in your entire life will fall into its right place.

How to get started? On the Self Improvement page of our website we recommend a wonderful book called Body For Life by Bill Phillips.

Finally, as you begin working on your New Year's resolutions we invite you once again to give yourself the gift of following your passion. Our secret to success on the net, is really no secret. Best of luck to you in the coming year.

"Physical vigor, is a tremendous success and happiness asset."
- Unknown

January 2, 2005 10:41 am - Leading In Hard Times

One thing good leaders never do it talk about "hard times".

You'll see very few successful business owners who are always making a point to convince others about how bad business has been. The successful businessperson never allow him or herself to dwell on the dark side of anything.

They refuse to talk about depressed markets or the sudden downturns that are inevitable in any economy.

Learn to talk UP, not down. Every business man or woman that participates in negative conversation runs the risk of becoming one of those chronic grumblers and fault-finders. You probably know one, don't you?

Remember, in most cases it is the person who carries hisself with an air of assurance that wins the day. She walks with the certainty of a conqueror. People admire others with these qualities.

People admire confidence and they tend to trust someone who makes them feel safe. Doubt and negative talk only turn people away.

It is the person of good cheer, who leads her people with a consistent message that is supportive yet firm, who displays and promotes a balanced lifestyle, that creates enthusiasm and radiates confidence, that will enjoy the nutrients of success.

Here's to all the "good times"!

** Don't forget to review our brand new Site Map. It's never been easier to find what you are looking for at Leadership-Tools.com.

January 3, 2005 10:14 am - Best In Class Leadership!

One of the best lessons in leadership is to learn to give the best of yourself under all circumstances.

A leader who is master of him or herself develops a habit of going the extra mile, to teach, to coach, and to hold others accountable to their expectations in a supportive, yet firm, manner.

No matter how distracting their surroundings or how unfortunate the conditions under which they find themselves, strong leaders "find a way to succeed".

When things become difficult, the self-mastered leader is able to trample obstacles and barriers that stand in the way of progress.

Leaders who are best-in-class use stumbling blocks as stepping stones. They push forward with the knowledge that on the other side of their difficulties they will come out a stronger, more self-reliant individual.

The example these types of leaders display to their team provides the leader with an unmatched credibility. They walk the walk in the eyes of their employees. Their solid character commands the respect of all around them.

Possessing the ability to re-double our efforts when necessary is one of the great qualities we can display.

Life Makes Way For The Determined Leader.

Check out the Leaders In Profile section of our site. We've just added some great new examples of people who are making things happen on the net. These people know what determination and persistence is all about.

January 3, 2005 9:09 pm - SPECIAL FREE GIFT - Pushing To The Front

From all of us at Leadership-Tools.com, it is our pleasure, and our privilege, to provide our readers with a free copy of this wonderful book. For the first time anywhere, we are giving away this timeless classic, complete with all 70 inspiring chapters, over 800 enthusiastic pages.

We believe so strongly in the teachings of this book that we have invested our time - and our money, to convert this century old book into an ebook format so that we can bring this great book to anyone who wishes to receive it.

Consider this our special gift to you.

And we encourage you to share this incredible self-help classic, with anyone whom you feel would benefit from its teachings. Pay it forward!

Download your free ebook Pushing To The Front now simply by following the link to the Request Form. Once you complete the Request Form you will immediately receive the download link in your email InBox.

GET YOUR FREE E-BOOK TODAY!

We also highly encourage you to register for our free monthly ezine Leadership Tools Monthly News.

January 4, 2005 5:45 pm - Acquiring Leadership Insights!

A leader in business can not succeed to his or her maximum without cultivating a network of competent people, tools and resources.

Mr. Andrew Carnegie, in a famous speech, suggested the following as an appropriate epitaph for his own tombstone:

"Here lies a man who knew how to get around him much cleverer men than himself."

In fact, the great majority of leaders who succeed in a large way do so because of their ability to surround themselves with quality associates. These leaders seem to have an instinctive genius for estimating and measuring others. They choose each team member for his or her strengths, which with any luck are greater than their own.

So many people who aspire to greatest mistakenly think that, because they work hard and try hard, they are certain to succeed. This is not the case.

Contrary to what you might expect, people of great achievement can manage their large enterprises with minimal effort. Their success is due to their knowledge and skill in selecting efficient executive heads.

Start building your own library of quality tools and resources. Read the many Leadership Articles posted on our website, and take a look at our Article Directory.

NOTE: If you enjoy writing and you have your own website, you can now Submit An Article to us for consideration. If we approve your leadership article, we will post it on our website with a link back, driving quality traffic to your site.

January 5, 2005 11:22 pm - Teaching Makes A Leader

On every front we hear the moans and groans of business owners and managers alike, complaining about the great difficulty of acquiring efficient and desirable employees.

The hidden truth behind too many of these claims, however, is that the same complaining employer is guilty of management "malpractice".

They expect their employees to move heaven and earth to meet their monumental expectations, yet they do very little to model the desired behavior for which they hold their employees accountable.

Effective leadership and the ability to inspire a team is highly based on the leader's willingness to teach his or her employees.

Leaders must realize that they are the ones who teach others how to treat the customer, how to treat each other, and how to treat themselves.

To be a teacher of others is to hold one of the most noble roles in the universe. A teacher invests quality time in the individual. A teacher is readily available to the student, he encourages the pupil to ask questions and inspires her to act upon her common sense and good judgement - providing a supportive work enviroment that respects one's willingness to TRY.

We teach people how to treat us. We teach them by how we treat them. If we treat them badly, we are sending the disasterous message that this behavior is acceptable.

We teach our people how to treat each other. We teach them by setting clear expectations of what is acceptable in the workplace, and we are consistent in our praise and our counsel.

We teach people how to treat themselves. We teach them by communicating effectively that you expect them to have a strong and healthy balance between home and work. By supporting them when they have a personal matter that must take precedence over a business timeline.

In so many ways, the leader is the teacher. By our actions we teach, in our words we teach, and through our praise and counsel - WE MUST TEACH.

Site Update: We recently added a new Contact Us page, making is even easier for our visitors to share their thoughts and suggestions with us. For all you leadership "newbies" out their, this page also provides a quick 3-Steps Getting Started list. Check it out!

January 6, 2005 11:32 am - Leadership in the Great Outdoors

A plant struggles to survive in a darkened room or in the corner of lonely cubicle. The same plant breathes easier when taken to an open window. This very same plant will thrive with re-newed vigor and enthusiasm when taken outdoors.

As humans, and especially as leaders, so will we thrive by getting our daily dose of the great outdoors.

Sunshine has a very healthy effect upon our nerves. Think of sunshine as a natural disinfectant, an unwavering anti-biotic to those invisible beings that would attack our bodies.

There can be no doubt that we feel better, more alive and experience a feeling of being renewed each time we walk outside and feel the sun upon our face while breathing in the cool fresh air.

There is no argument that there is a mysterious force in Nature that thrills even the blind or the deaf.

Helen Keller once said that she could feel the marvelous beauty and pulsing life of the fields, the forests, the streams, and the rivers. She felt a thrill of life in the country, that was not present for her in the large city.

The moral to this story? Get outside, go outdoors! On a daily basis - take a short walk, feel the sun on your face, breath deeply, look around and appreciate the beauty of your surroundings.

This little self-investment will provide a lifeline of renewed energy and spur on your creativity.

For more on this subject, we recommend reading our original article, Fitness for Fulfillment.

January 7, 2005 6:59 pm - Standing In The Shadow of Leadership

If you are familiar with our site at all you understand that we strongly recommend that on a regular basis leaders assess themselves.

You can conduct a simply self assessment, using our free Leadership Assessment Tool.

You can take it another step further and ask your superviror, peers and subordinates to participate in a 360 Degree Leadership Assessment.

At the very least, you must mentally take yourself outside your current surroundings and look at your effectiveness as a leader from an outside perspective. Self-awareness is so important when discussing the art of effective leadership.

In the end, you must realize that one's ability to reflect on themselves, to self-assess, to receive well contructive criticism - is a sure sign on maturity and wisdom.

Don't be the fool who approaches a sun dial to read the time, but when he approaches the sun dail he allows his own shadow to distort the results.

Too often people who are only half-committed to self-improvement, allow their own egos to get in the way of their future success. They already think they know it all so they do not focus on what they might learn, how they can improve, or even who they can help.

It's important that you study yourself carefully, and often. Know your own tastes, your talents, your temperament.

Shut out what others are feeding you - the praise of ambitious parents, of admiring classmates, of well-meaning, but sometimes mistaken, friends. See yourself as you truly are so that you can more accurately determine what you need to work on to improve yourself.

The wisest of men has an accurate self-knowledge and a high desire to better himself.

January 8, 2005 1:56 pm - I'm Ready, Now What Shall I Lead?

One common difficulty for many aspiring leaders seem to be they do not even suspect, much less know, just what they are best suited for.

These folks are a bundle of possibilities. They fight with the various choices that are available to them, not certain of any of these options. Every position seems to have its benefits and its drawbacks.

In our last entry we offered a couple tools to help people assess themselves. The aspiring leader can also begin this process by simply taking a sheet of paper and answering a few hard and fast questions.

The answers to these questions might provide some clarity about what's important to you in your life and also what personal interest you might want to focus on for a future vocation. In addition, some of these questions might help you identify areas that you need to work on or correct in order to maximize your opportunities.

• Are you in good health?


• Can you work hard and continuously? A strong work ethic?


• Have you any physical or mental weakness?


• Are you lazy, vain, or extravagant?


• Do you make friends easily?


• Can you obey orders promptly and with precision?


• Can you read, write and speak properly


• Have you experienced disciplined training in any form? Do you possess self-discipline?


• Do you ever save money? How much?


• Do you associate with your superiors, your equals, or your inferiors?


• What are you consistently praised for? What are you counseled for?


• What have you found success in thus far?


• What is your strongest desire?


• Have you determined clearly your ideals and values?


• Who are your heroes?


• What are your current vocational skills?


• What kind of books, music or art interest you?


• What can you provide to others that they will see as having value?


• What is a step you can take today to help you answer each of the above questions?

Once you have answered the above questions, take an opportunity to confirm your results. Ask someone who knows you best, someone you can trust, to provide you with honest answers, to answer the same list of questions about you. THIS will be the real test to see if you have a clear perception of yourself.

Once your list is confirmed, get on with the business of choosing a path.

For some additional ideas on all the various possibilities for a vocation or a new business, visit this BUSINESS RESULTS page. The options are truly endless.

January 11, 2005 1:39 pm - Education - A Path To Leadership!

Too many people fail in their professional ventures due to a lack of education.

For most men and women, a quality education furnishes the reserve power within oneself that is needed to overcome the gauntlet of barriers that will be faced.

Education is true capital and can be used to influence others. Education provides credibility to many who wish to entrust another with a key role and/or responsibility.

A solid education is not simply acquired by the timely payment of tuition to an accredited institution. An education that others won't be able to see through, can only come about through years of disciplined study.

Michael Angelo understood clearly the value of a solid education and ones desire to continue to grow and learn throughout their lifetime.

He once said that if he could give the American youth one word of advice, it would be that which he wrote under a figure on a canvas in his own studio. Michael Angelo had written the word "Amplius," meaning "Larger." He needed no more inspiration than seeing this one word. This word meant volumnes to him, it inspired his soul.

Whether it is this key word, or another of your choosing - consider framing it and hang it in a place where you will be reminded of it daily.

Let the word, the true meaning of the word, stare you in the face. Constant contemplation of the word will make your life broader and larger since you will begin to ask broader and larger questions of yourself and of everyone whom you come in contact with.

One of the most difficult things for people to do in any career is to keep growing.

Make up your mind that whatever comes to you, whether you make a large fortune or none at all, there is one thing you will do - you will continue to grow - to become "Larger" in mind, body and spirit.

The following link provides a 1,2,3 approach to begin your journey of self-improvement and growth.

January 12, 2005 10:00 am - Leaders Are Readers

Perhaps there is nothing else which is more deeply tied to one's character than the books one reads.

One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the love of books and reading. The practice of reading at an early age opens endless doors in the child's mind, to world's far beyond the home they were born into.

There is tremendous value in providing our youth with the tools (books) that provide uplifting images, bright, cheerful and healthy thoughts.

Raising a reader is an important key to raising a leader. Why? Leaders who are avid readers have that much more reserve power. This child grow up knowing more because he or she has "experienced" more through the many journeys they've taken in their own mind.

These children are exposed to new thoughts, different viewpoints and varied ideas that provide an ability to see things from multiple perspectives.

Good books make a person more wise.

Make no mistake, the difference between the future boy or girl who has formed the habit of good reading and the one who has not, is as great as that between the educated and the uneducated - between the poverty stricken and the affluent.

Many successful men and women attribute a specific book with being the motivational force behind their life's work.

If our homes are furnished with more character-building books, our children will get a much better start in life. Our children DO become a product of their environment.

But no matter the age, while it's best to start early, if you are not yet an avid reader - BEGIN TODAY! Readers Are Leaders.

As we've mentioned before, one of the best books a person can read is Pushing To The Front, by Orison Swett Marden. And we just so happen to have a Free Copy of this book with your name on it - courtesy of Leadership-Tools.com

January 14, 2005 7:21 pm - Wise Living

In many of our past entries we've spoken at length about the need for every human being to continually grow throughout their lifetime.

• Grow in Education
  
• Grow in Life Experience
  
• Grow in Newfound Interests
  
• To Grow in all aspects of our daily existence!

Too many people, unfortunately, do NOT decide or set out to do any of the above. They merely exist; they do not LIVE in the broader sense of the term.

They inhale and exhale, eat and drink, attend all the necessary routine and mundane everyday tasks - not realizing that while they may find some satisfaction in these things, they could be raising their life experience to the nth degree with just a bit more planning and effort.

Certainly, every occupation is crowded with men and women who have stopped growing. They've accepted their everyday rut and routine as their only available choice.

We each must occasionally step outside our current situation and see it with a fresh eye to honestly assess to what degree we are LIVING our lives, moving toward our dreams.

It is the men and women who learn the secret of wise living; who are broader in the quality of their questions, who are eager to learn and grow and improve and contribute.

These are the people that the world wants. These are the people that the world needs.

Leadership-Tools.com is eager to learn what types of additional tools and resources you would like to see on our site. You can review our Site Map to see what is currently available. In addition, you can share your ideas and suggestions with us at our Contact Us page.

January 17, 2005 9:59 am - A Born Leader!

The event which proved David Glasgow Farragut's qualities as a leader happened before he was thirteen.

He was with his adopted father, Captain Porter, on board the Essex, when war was declared with England in 1812.

A number of ships were captured by the Essex, and David was ordered by Captain Porter to take one of the captured vessels, along with her commander as the navigator, to Valparaiso.

Although inwardly David shuddered before the violent-tempered old captain of the prize ship, the boy assumed the command with a fearless air.

On giving his first order, that the "main topsail be filled away," the trouble began. The old captain, furious at hearing a command given aboard his vessel by a boy not yet in his teens, replied to the order that he would shoot anyone who dared touch a rope without his orders.

Having delivered this mandate, he rushed below for his pistols.

The situation was critical. If the young commander hesitated for a moment, or showed the least sign of submitting to be bullied, his authority would instantly have fallen from him.

Boy as he was, David realized the importance of taking quick action and so he called one of the crew to him, explained what had taken place, and gave the crewmember an additional order.

With a hearty "Aye, aye, sir!" the sailor rushed over and called down to the captain that "if he came on deck with his pistols, he would be thrown overboard."

David's victory was complete. During the remainder of the voyage none dared dispute his authority. Indeed his coolness and promptitude had won for him the lasting admiration of the crew.

For additional examples of leadership, visit our Article Vault, for all-new all-original leadership articles.

January 19, 2005 11:18 am - Aim High To Hit The Mark!

"Without vision the people perish"

Without a high ideal an individual never climbs as high as he may otherwise climb.

Keep your eyes on the mountain top! Though you may stumble and fall many times throughout your ascent, though great boulders may whirl toward you and dense forests may slow your progress, persist on, never losing sight of what you aim to achieve. This is how you will reach your goal.

When the late Horace Maynard, LL.D., entered Amherst College, he exposed himself to the ridicule and jibing questions of his fellow-students by placing over the door of his room a large square of white cardboard on which was inscribed in bold outlines the single letter "V."

Disregarding comment and question, the young man applied himself to his work, always keeping in mind the height to which he wished to climb.

Four years later, after much hard work and determination he was honored as valedictorian of his class. Young Maynard called the attention of his fellow-graduates to the letter over his door. One student called out, "Is it possible that you had the valedictory in mind when you put that 'V' over your door?"

"Assuredly I had," was his emphatic reply.

Honorable ambition is the key ingredient that raises the bar for all mankind. Ideals and visions are the stepping-stones by which we rise to higher things.

"To let the new life in, we know, Desire must open the portal."

Do you have a vision? If so, do you know how to make that special vision or goal come true?

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January 22, 2005 6:37 pm - A Lesson In Patience

As the old story goes, one might be inclined to ridicule rather than applaud the patience of a poor Chinese woman who tried to make a needle from a rod of iron by rubbing it against a stone.

It is doubtful whether she succeeded or not, but the sight of the woman applying her seemingly hopeless task, put new courage and determination into the heart of a young Chinese student. He stood watching her as he recalled his past failing due to a lack of patience.

Because of repeated failures in his studies, ambition and hope had left him. Bitterly disappointed with himself, the young man had thrown his books aside in disgust. Put to shame, however, by the lesson in patience taught by the old woman, he gathered his courage and went to work with renewed vigor.

As a direct result of Patience and Focused Energy, the young man eventually became one of the greatest scholars in China.

THE LESSON? When you know you are on the right track, do not let any failures dim your vision or discourage you, for you cannot tell how close you may be to your ultimate victory.

Have patience and stick-to-it-tiveness!

It is eternally true that "he who presses on, will eventually reach his final destination."

For additional lessons on leadership related topics, visit our Article Directory and subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Leadership Tools Monthly News.

January 25, 2005 10:18 pm - Portrait of an Iron Will to Succeed!

Stubborn, self-reliant, and always dominated by the desire to be a leader, Andrew Jackson was by no means a model boy. In spite of his many faults his honesty, love of truth, indomitable will and courage led him to greatness.

He was born with fighting blood in his veins. Like other eminent men who have risen to the White House, he grew up poor. His father was an Irish immigrant who died before his youngest son was born in 1767. Life held many hard knocks for the young Jackson.

His mother tried to secure him some early advantages of schooling and prayed that he might become a successful businessman or minister. Andrew, however, was not a good student and was not inclined to follow the path his mother wished upon him.

Jackson made little effort to profit by even the limited opportunities he was given.

But despite all the disadvantages of environment and mental traits by which he was handicapped, he was bound by the force of certain other traits to be a winner in the battle of life.

The quality to which his success is chiefly owed is his uncanny "inability to give up"!

Speaking of their wrestling matches at school, one of Jackson's competitors said, "I could throw him [Jackson] three times out of four, but he never would stay down. Even when he was completely exhausted he never would give up."

A person who will "never stay down," and "never give up" will eventually succeed.

When, at the age of fifteen, Jackson found himself alone in the world, homeless and penniless, he adapted himself to anything he could find to do.

Worker in a saddler's shop, school-teacher, lawyer, merchant, judge of the Supreme Court, United States senator, soldier, leader, step-by-step the son of the poor Irish immigrant rose to the highest office to which his countrymen could elect him--the presidency of the United States.

Rash, headstrong, and narrow-minded, Andrew Jackson made many poor choices during his life. Notwithstanding his shortcomings, however, he persistently tried to live up to his boyhood motto,

"Ask nothing but what is right - submit to nothing wrong."

Review the Leaders In Profile section of our site to read more portraits of everyday people demonstrating an iron will to succeed.

These folks are following their passion despite their own personal challenges and obstacles. Using SiteBuild It!, you can too!

January 27, 2005 11:21 am - A Timeless Lesson - Valuing Time

"Dost thou love life? Then, do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of!"
- Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin not only understood the value of time, but he put a high price upon it that made others appreciate its worth.

A customer who came one day to Franklin's little bookstore in Philadelphia, not being satisfied with the price of a book he wished to purchase, asked to see the store owner.

"Mr. Franklin is very busy just now in the press room," replied the clerk.

The man, however, who had already spent an hour aimlessly turning over books, insisted on seeing him. In answer to the clerk's summons, Mr. Franklin hurried out from the newspaper establishment at the back of the store.

"What is the lowest price you can take for this book, sir?" asked the leisurely customer, holding up the volume. "One dollar and a quarter," was the prompt reply. "A dollar and a quarter! Why, your clerk asked me only a dollar just now."

"True," said Franklin, "and I could have better afforded to take a dollar than to leave my work."

The man, who seemed to be in doubt as to whether Mr. Franklin was in earnest, said jokingly, "Well, come now, tell me your lowest price for this book?"

"One dollar and a half," was the grave reply.

"A dollar and a half! Why, you just offered it for a dollar and a quarter."

"Yes, and I could have better taken that price then than a dollar and a half now", said Franklin.

Without another word, the defeated purchaser laid the money on the counter and left the store. He had learned not only that he who squanders his own time is foolish, but that he who wastes the time of others is a thief.

Read more on the art of effective Time Management, and other powerful Leadership Articles.