August 6, 2020

By Mark David

In order to become a great leader, you must first understand the characteristics and traits that make a great leader.

A few invaluable habits all great leaders have in common are:

1.       They create a vision of their desired future state

2.       They communicate and broadcast this vision internally and externally.

3.       They preplan how they will keep the vision alive over the course of a year – just like a marketing department will keep a specific message alive monthly, quarterly, and yearly

Yes, that’s right! You must market your vision internally and externally.

It takes time, imagination, patience, wisdom, and knowing your audience.

I can hear many people saying, “That’s not my job responsibility to market myself.” But it’s the reference of being proactive and understanding that everyone needs many others to help them get their job done.

Why? Companies today are highly matrixed. Everyone is connected to everyone else. That’s why you need to teach the people you connect with at work, that everyone needs to be on the same page with each other. This can only happen if you educate them. Turn marketing into educating.

Every person that has taken on this strategy, and has executed it consistently, will always be more successful in the long term than another who says it’s not part of their job description.

Leaders are GREAT EDUCATORS!

I have found in my 50-plus years in the corporate world that leaders know the best motivation comes from educating people on the things that will make them successful. When you think of the most positive people in your life who’ve made the biggest impact on you, you usually associate them with one or more things they’ve taught you. Those teaching moments stayed with you and helped you become who you are today. 

So lead with your vision. Motivate with your keen ability to market and educate. Make it fun, and it will become very satisfying over time

Appreciate the Day,

Mark David

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