Today, I am going to rely on some musical talent (and Georgia connections Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Eric Church) to tell a story.  

To me, if you look/listen at/to these lyrics, they embody everything that leadership is about. In particular, notice the highlighted words/phrases below.

Here are the lyrics to the song and a link to the music http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggvfGqnqVXk   

ENJOY and let me know what you think!

Well I grew up in one of them old farm towns
Where they hit it hard till the sun goes down
Nobody really seemed to care that we were living in the middle of nowhere
We just figured that’s how it was
And everyone else was just like us
Soaking in the rain baking in the sun
Don’t quit till the job gets done

That’s the only way I know
Don’t stop till everything’s gone
Straight ahead never turn round
Don’t back up, don’t back down
Full throttle wide open
You get tired, you don’t show it
Dig a little deeper when you think you can’t dig no more
That’s the only way I know

That old red dirt the first thing you learn
You don’t get nothing that you don’t earn
Humble pride that I grew up on
You find out just how bad you want it
Sun in our eyes backs to the fences
Didn’t know the odds were against us
Hit the wall smoking and spinning
Still wasn’t thinking ‘bout nothing but winning

That’s the only way I know
Don’t stop till everything’s gone
Straight ahead never turn round
Don’t back up, don’t back down
Full throttle wide open
You get tired, you don’t show it
Dig a little deeper when you think you can’t dig no more
That’s the only way I know

Maybe there’s another path that will get you there a little bit faster,
But I’m sticking with the one inside of me.

That’s the only way I know
Don’t stop till everything’s gone
Straight ahead never turn round
Don’t back up, don’t back down
Full throttle wide open
You get tired, you don’t show it
Dig a little deeper when you think you can’t dig no more
That’s the only way I know

Ryan Sauers

@ryansauers

Collaboration is the new face of business. Think of it this way, collaboration is the "new" cooperation.  From large organizations like Samsung and Sony… to smaller ones like two printing companies in Texas– collaboration is a key to success in today's competitive world.  

Do such companies still compete?  You bet.  For example, Wal-Mart sells both Samsung and Sony products; however, such end products (from both companies) have actually been made in conjunction with each other. So are Samsung and Sony– friends or foes?  The answer is– both.  

This is the same for all companies.  Here is another way to think about collaboration.

Why do you think so many musical artists have begun to go on tour together as "co-headliners,"  A recent example is Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw who did this. By the way– I saw their concert in Atlanta and it was great. Both guys are super-stars in their own right.

However, by working together they had to perform 50% as much, were able pull in more fans (i.e. customers) from the other's core fan base and able to have more fun. By the way did we mention how many tickets they sold? Smart thinking huh?

So I challenge you to think smarter and realize that collaboration in 2013 and beyond is vital. It is the trend across the globe. So, why not think smarter? Why keep beating your head against the wall? Collaboration is indeed the "new" cooperation.

Ryan Sauers

@ryansauers

I encourage everyone to be goal oriented.  More specifically, to set  SMART goals and follow/track them.  

As a reminder these are goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time bound.  But first let’s review what a ("non SMART" is). EX: My company seeks to increase its revenues in 2013. SMART= NO. 

A SMART goal would be– my company seeks to increase its sales from $10 million in calendar year 2012 to $12 million dollars in calendar year 2013. SMART= YES

So, SMART goals are vital.  However, in this post I challenge you to do more.  Do not simply be goal oriented but become GROWTH oriented.  I teach in college classes all the time…and many students tell me they will "finally be done" when they get their diploma and walk across the stage.  I tell them– NO… your journey is just beginning.  

If your only focus was to get a degree (great goal by the way) than yes, you achieved it… but what is next? We must remain continual learners- AND remain growth oriented. Think of SMART goals as being your actions steps as a "growth oriented person/company."

Are you goal oriented or growth oriented? Why? 

Ryan

@ryansauers

In life, it is quite simple if you want to be a leader and differentiate yourself from the many followers out there… you must be CONSISTENT. I cannot stress this word enough.

Based on its definition in the dictionary, consistency can be described as being marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity and free from variation or contradiction.

Also, showing steady conformity to character, profession, belief, or custom.

So with that said, who would NOT want to be consistent. In any new habit you try to create you will only be successful if you are consistent.
Five thoughts on consistency.

1. Consistent people tell the truth so they do not need to remember what "lie" they told.
2. Consistent people are loyal to their employers or employees day in and day out.
3. Consistent people live a well rounded and balanced life all year long.
4. Consistent people get regular physical exercise and spiritual reflection.
5. Consistent people behave the same way day in and day out.

In short, and there are so many more examples… it is ALL about consistency.

Are you consistent?

Ryan Sauers
http://www.everyoneinsales.com/
http://www.sauersconsulting.com/

This is a short post to address what many of us feel and never share. It is okay to say this… " I cannot make a decision and I am overthinking things." The common expression for this is "paralysis by analysis." It is important when you begin to let your emotions get the best of you to simply– take a time out.

Go clear your head and think about something different. I challenge you at such times to remember that so many of the things in life… we tend to over think, dwell on, and waste energy pondering… are simply not worth such time and energy. So, take a step back, clear your head and when you are in this state of "paralysis by analysis" remember it is likely that your decision will make little difference and be of small significance a year from now.

If this is a major decision, give yourself permission to be wrong. We all are wrong at times and guess what– we learn from such situations. We are humans… we are wrong most of the time.  Lastly, never forget how small are situation and life is in the overall scheme of eternity. The situation we are confronting may seem huge at the time… but contrasted against the landscape of the universe and eternity it is quite small.

I have to remind myself of these very things as well… so am talking to all of us here. So, when you hear the expression "paralysis by analysis" don’t fret. Instead, take a moment and look at such situations in a new light.

Ryan T. Sauers
www.everyoneinsales.com
www.twitter.com/ryansauers
www.sauersconsulting.com
www.facebook.com/sauersconsulting

As one of our focuses on this blog is leadership and decision making, I hope all organizations will consider this post.

We hear all many types of leadership styles/strategies/philosophies (And-putting my academic hat on for a moment)… Here are a few of the leadership styles we hear: Ready…

1. autocratic
2. participative
3. charismatic
4. transactional
5. servant
6. visionary
7. transformational
8. authentic
9. democratic

Ok, well you get the idea… so here is the point today. There are countless styles, models, theories and articles written on the best ways to lead your organization.  Your goal and mine is to pick the ones that work best for the issue at hand (people, time and place). Second, your goal is to use a style that works for you and those you seek to lead (followers). 

Remember with no followership there is no leadership.  But… no matter what leadership style you choose… never fall into this trap– making a decision by indecision.  This means that you don't decide on anything, have no plans, have no direction, and thus your decision is made for you… beacuse you did nothing.

Such a style is simply a by-product of your going whichever way the "wind blows you" as you have created no course of action. You have created no strategy or direction.  By the way, this type of leadership is… "no leadership."

So, I challenge you to be purposeful, intentional, and deliberate as a leader and in all that you do. And, always remember– you must either define the situation OR trust me…it will define you.

Ryan Sauers

http://www.sauersconsulting.com/
www.facebook.com/sauersconsulting
www.twitter.com/ryansauers
www.linked.com/in/ryansauers

Human beings are quite interesting. You see, the more we learn- the more likely it is– we will realize how little it is that we know!

So, my hypothesis is that the more any human being knows… the more likely they are to recognize know little they actually know. This is very true in the leader development process. The other day a friend and I discussed 4 common stages of leader development. The 4 stages are listed below.
stage

 #1: Unconsciously Incompetent. In this stage, we are oblivious to what we do/ don’t know or know. Thus, we may think we know more than we actually do and/or overestimate our knowledge, skills and abilities.

Stage #2: Consciously Incompetent. This means we have become aware of our "blind spot: and of how much we do not know. So in this stage, we are now aware of what we DO NOT KNOW.'

Stage #3: Consciously Competent: In this stage, we are now aware of what our skills, knowledge, and abilities are and how developed they are etc.

Stage #4: Unconsciously Competent: In this stage, we are quite competent in what we know/do and it comes as second nature to us. In other words, we do not need to think about it.

So, the fact is this… we are all on a journey in our leader development. What stage are you in? Do you seek to get to the next stage? What do you think?

Ryan Sauers

www.sauersconsulting.com
www.izigg.com/sauers