10 Identifiers of True Leadership

1. Leaders have passionate enthusiasm! Attitudes are contagious and team “leaders” understand that they are role models.

2. Leaders model the company’s values and “walk the talk.”

3. Leaders pull their teams up the hill, face them and don’t turn their backs.
"old-school managers" push employees up the hill.

4. Leaders are not necessarily the best talent, they are skilled at recognizing and utilizing talent.

5. Leaders develop others, place a high value on the “we,” and discourage the “I.”

6. Leaders know when to let other and better “leaders” lead... when the situation demands it.

7. Leaders listen and provide positive reinforcement and constructive criticism.

8. Leaders turn problems into opportunities.

9. Leaders understand that everyone falls, but not everyone fails.

10. At the end of the day... managers may think about the tasks that were completed, leaders reflect on the people that completed the tasks.

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Make ‘em Laugh…But Don’t Tell Jokes!

*** Re-posted Favorite***

Yes, laughter is the best medicine.
And yes, laughter is a great icebreaker when you are speaking to an audience.
HOWEVER… in today’s politically correct climate and social sensitivity, telling jokes is not the way to go.

Why? Odds are you might offend someone.

I suggest telling funny stories about you, we all have them.

“Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused.”…or amusing.
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Remember the Rolodex?

I know, it’s a little outdated with all the new technology, but the concept I want to share with you is the same.

Living in the corporate world for 36 years I was spoiled, yes spoiled.

When I needed a professional’s help,  all I had to do was search the company’s directory or my own Rolodex and wha-laa!; at my fingertips were the: Legal Department., Real-Estate, Accounting, IT, Marketing, Advertising, Business Consulting, Training, HR, etc...

Fast forward to today… Hey, I am an entrepreneur!, I own my own business, guess what?... no more corporate Rolodex.

NO PROBLEM! I have something so much better…I have found BNI (Business Network International), and The Referral Institute… tremendous organizations that have introduced me to the process of building my own team with people I can trust.

ATTENTION Business Owners / Entrepreneurs! Being your own boss is a lifetime dream, right? Yes!, but it can get lonely out there,  I know... I have been there, done that!

Don’t procrastinate, do yourself a huge favor and build your team with people you know and like, and most importantly you trust.

So how do you accomplish this?  Please click on the link below for more information about getting YOUR TEAM started.

T.E.A.M : Together Everyone Achieves More! CLICK HERE!

What is Success?

A few weeks back, I had a meeting with two business associates.  We started talking about success and how we define it.
Of course the assumption was, as it is with many people, that success and lots of money go hand in hand.
As the discussion continued, we shared some stories about people we had known over the years that were far from wealthy and yet very happy, healthy, and proud.
We left each other that morning intrigued and wanting to know more about;  what is success?

When I got back to my office I decided to see what the experts had to say about success, so I Goggled "Famous quotes on success".
I read over 100 quotes from at least 6 different sites. From Lincoln to Jordan, to Edison, to Lombardi...and not one quote said anything about the mighty dollar.

We all know that money can not buy happiness...perhaps it is "happiness" not "money"  that go hand in hand with success.

What is success?  Your thoughts?

Vintage Leadership

Vintage leadership is characterized by excellence, maturity, and enduring appeal; classic leadership.

While leadership can be defined in many ways and applied in many ways I present to you:

Twelve of my favorite movies that have woven within their plots and character development, elements of vintage leadership.

Now wait a minute!....before you read the list below, make no judgments until you share your list with me and then we can have a sincere conversation. Thank you!

1. The Natural

2. Liar Liar

3. Forrest Gump

4. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

5. A Few Good Men

6. The Longest Yard

7. Meatballs

8. Star Wars

9. Armageddon

10. Tommy Boy

11. Die Hard

12. The Music Man

Hidden Treasures

Some people call me crazy for collecting so many letters, cards and pictures given to me over the years. I recently found a box of Giant Eagle paraphernalia deep inside our storage unit. Inside was a card sent to me from one of my mentors, Lou Zegarelli, dated January 3rd 1983, a true hidden treasure.

The Right Path Is Very Simple

Respect your fellow human beings,

Treat them fairly, 

Disagree with them honestly,

Enjoy their friendship,

Explore your common humanity,

Share your thoughts about one another candidly,

Work together for a common goal,

And help one another to achieve it.

No destructive lies.

No ridiculous fears.

No debilitating anger.

He was an amazing man, loved by all. I will always remember the words he left me with the first day we met.
"Good luck with the new store Bob and remember...the good you do, will come back to you."
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The Humanity of a Real Book- For you Mom...Happy 90th!

*** Reposted - Celebrating my Mom's 90th Birthday, may God rest her soul***

As a very young child, I remember sitting by the fireplace watching my Mom read...she loved books.
From romance novels to history books, my Mom read everything.

I would often sit beside her and just watch her turn the pages. She would sometimes read to me, and sometimes let me hold the book and read to her.
Books were in every room of our home. Old books, new books…books with bookmarks in them,
books on bookshelves, in the bathroom, kitchen and even “do-it-yourself” books in the garage.
I love the feel, the look and even the smell of a real book.

Mom died 12 years ago…I was left with her books.

The other day I picked up one her favorites “The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway.
As I skimmed through the pages, I read some comments my Mom made (she often did that) and a warm feeling came over me… this book touched my Mom, she touched every page, she read every word and now this book touches me.

When I released my book “Pecan Pie” (dedicated to my Mom), I refused to have it published electronically. For the many of you that asked why…I think you now know the answer.

Books are for written for humanity, and nothing can replace the humanity of a real book.

My "Real" book  PECAN PIE, now available on Amazon.com, clink on link below
Click here for a sample  

“Copyright (7-19-12) by Robert V Gambone Sr.”