Notice: new group for leads2u

I've started a new group over at the Home Business Program Leads2u on Ning.

There are a wide range of opportunities over there for niche finders (if you haven't found your niche yet) I recommend sticking to my group in there though, as there are some 'wild and weary' sights to be seen!

SEO Trial plus free gifts

"Attract Stampedes of FREE Traffic From Google When You Hire An SEO Expert... For Just $2.95!" Review Of Derek Gehl's "Search Marketing Labs": Attracting crowds of qualified buyers with a top ranking in Google, Yahoo, and MSN just got a whole lot easier... and cheaper. The term "search engine optimization" used to be synonymous with difficult and expensive. Not any more. Because thanks to Derek Gehl's latest release, you do NOT need to be intimidated by terms like "keyword density" and "optimization" anymore. And you certainly don't need to outsource your search engine traffic campaigns to third-party experts for exorbitant fees of $3,000-$10,000! Instead, you can finally "do it yourself" and enjoy substantial increases in your traffic and sales with the expert guidance of your very own, private SEO consultant... ... Who will help blast your website to a top listing in Google, Yahoo, and MSN! All for the ridiculously low investment of just $2.95. There's absolutely no guesswork. First, Derek gives you a series of online videos that walk you through the baby step basics of getting your website search engine ready. Then, using the same clear, no-BS teaching style, you'll be shown how to apply the very same advanced SEO strategies that Derek and his team have used to secure a Top 5 ranking in Google for 3 years running... ... And beat out over 294 Million competitors including many multi-million dollar corporations! And then, just in case you need some extra hand-holding, you'll have unlimited access to Derek's very own in-house SEO expert in a secret discussion forum, where you can ask unlimited questions about your specific search engine campaign! This alone is EASILY a $1500-$3000 value -- but Derek's giving you unlimited access to his private SEO expert for the next 30 days for just $2.95. To get all the details, visit http://www.marketingtips.com/backstage-pass/t/806855 When Derek first launched his "Search Marketing Lab" approximately one year ago, I didn't pay much attention. My mistake. Because today, he's got testimonials lined up around the block -- all regular people who started with ZERO or mediocre traffic, who attract 5,000 to 40,000+ visitors every month using these secrets. The majority of SEO books, courses, and seminars you'll find out there are a waste of money, not worth the paper they're printed on, because they're not kept up-to-date. But since "Search Marketing Lab" gives you the same SEO strategies that Derek's currently using on his own site (www.marketingtips.com), which is reported to attract over 1.8 Million visitors every month, you can be sure you'll be the first to know when there's a major search engine change… ... And the first to PROFIT from Derek's hard won SEO research, newest optimization techniques, and late-breaking developments. I recommend very few SEO resources to my clients. But this tops my list. And the $2.95 Trial that Derek is giving away right now is a steal. To get yours before he shuts it down... Click Here Now to Get Your Trial and FREE Gifts...

SEO Trial plus free gifts

"Attract Stampedes of FREE Traffic From Google When You Hire An SEO Expert... For Just $2.95!" Review Of Derek Gehl's "Search Marketing Labs": Attracting crowds of qualified buyers with a top ranking in Google, Yahoo, and MSN just got a whole lot easier... and cheaper. The term "search engine optimization" used to be synonymous with difficult and expensive. Not any more. Because thanks to Derek Gehl's latest release, you do NOT need to be intimidated by terms like "keyword density" and "optimization" anymore. And you certainly don't need to outsource your search engine traffic campaigns to third-party experts for exorbitant fees of $3,000-$10,000! Instead, you can finally "do it yourself" and enjoy substantial increases in your traffic and sales with the expert guidance of your very own, private SEO consultant... ... Who will help blast your website to a top listing in Google, Yahoo, and MSN! All for the ridiculously low investment of just $2.95. There's absolutely no guesswork. First, Derek gives you a series of online videos that walk you through the baby step basics of getting your website search engine ready. Then, using the same clear, no-BS teaching style, you'll be shown how to apply the very same advanced SEO strategies that Derek and his team have used to secure a Top 5 ranking in Google for 3 years running... ... And beat out over 294 Million competitors including many multi-million dollar corporations! And then, just in case you need some extra hand-holding, you'll have unlimited access to Derek's very own in-house SEO expert in a secret discussion forum, where you can ask unlimited questions about your specific search engine campaign! This alone is EASILY a $1500-$3000 value -- but Derek's giving you unlimited access to his private SEO expert for the next 30 days for just $2.95. To get all the details, visit http://www.marketingtips.com/backstage-pass/t/806855 When Derek first launched his "Search Marketing Lab" approximately one year ago, I didn't pay much attention. My mistake. Because today, he's got testimonials lined up around the block -- all regular people who started with ZERO or mediocre traffic, who attract 5,000 to 40,000+ visitors every month using these secrets. The majority of SEO books, courses, and seminars you'll find out there are a waste of money, not worth the paper they're printed on, because they're not kept up-to-date. But since "Search Marketing Lab" gives you the same SEO strategies that Derek's currently using on his own site (www.marketingtips.com), which is reported to attract over 1.8 Million visitors every month, you can be sure you'll be the first to know when there's a major search engine change… ... And the first to PROFIT from Derek's hard won SEO research, newest optimization techniques, and late-breaking developments. I recommend very few SEO resources to my clients. But this tops my list. And the $2.95 Trial that Derek is giving away right now is a steal. To get yours before he shuts it down... Click Here Now to Get Your Trial and FREE Gifts...

Selection of Digital books for August 2008

Note: when you click on the "buy" button you are taken to the website for more information on product or service plus further details on terms,prices, options etc.

Sales Manager's Guide To Developing A Winning Sales Team Cultivating a winning sales team just got easier for sales managers, thanks to this practical, hands-on guide. It's a tested system you can use to guide your salespeople on the road to continual improvement.Part I is written in workbook format, providing a six-step method for evaluating team member strengths and weaknesses and making performance evaluations more proactive; this section features specific tools for achieving continuous improvement, such as setting benchmarks and offering incentivesPart II explains the essentials-including prospecting, presentations, cold calling, and more-that managers can share with team members to help them develop crucial team knowledge, skills, and motivation

Telephone Sales For Dummies Nearly 100 million Americans (one out of three) purchase goods and services over the phone each year. Telephone Sales For Dummies shows both new and seasoned sales reps, from realtors, insurance agents to telemarketers, how to create pre-call plans

Body Language For Dummies If you are puzzled by other people or want to improve the impression you give, knowing about body language could be the key. In this book you?ll discover how the body reveals what people really mean and how you can use your body and your expressions

Some Clickbank Products that caught my eye this August

Targetted Traffic Super Affiliate Marketers Secret Weapon. Drive Massive Amounts Of Laser-Targeted Traffic To Your Site!



Micro Niche FinderPowerful New Software Tool Uncovers Hot Untapped Niche Markets That Have Been Completely Overlooked By The Masses And Allows You To Swoop In And Absolutely Dominate These Niche Markets In Google!



The Ultimate Income Club No Affiliate Bs, No Marketing, No Calling, 100% Passive Moneymaking.



The Millionaire League.com



Click Here!
Real Estate Agents, List Bank Reo, Foreclosure, Short Sale, Bpo. Bank Reo Foreclosure Departments Need Real Estate Agents To Complete CMAs (Comparative Market Analysis) Or BPOs (Broker Price Opinions) Make Great Part Time Money Dont Quit Real Estate. List Bank Reo Property And List Short Sales, Short Sale, Complete Bpo.



Average Joe Marketer Package Make Money In Any Niche... Joe Will Show You How...



Zero Cost Marketing Strategies



Ewen Chia - Working From Home



Registry Genius Registry Cleaner

Increase Sales By...

Click Here ==> http://hop.clickbank.net/?gr8gift4u/ezarticles
=====================================

Increase Sales By Flying Under
Your Prospects' "Radar Defenses"

- by Jim Edwards

(c) Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
http://www.thenetreporter.com
=====================================

How do you persuade someone to do what you want them to do?

A whole world of marketing exists around us trying to do
that every minute of the day. Do you even notice it anymore
or, like your prospects, have you subconsciously set up a
system of "radar defenses" against the daily bombardment of
marketing messages?

Take a minute and count up the advertising methods which
fight for your attention (and money) every day. Just the
basic list includes:

· Yellow page ads

· Newspaper and magazine ads

· Postcards, catalogs, and direct mail circulars in your
"snail mail" box

· Radio pitches interrupting the flow of your favorite songs

· TV ads - about 20 minutes worth per hour now

· Hundreds of storefronts, "mega" malls, and strip malls

· Highway billboards by the thousands

· Circulars hung on your doorknob

· Illegal signs on stop signs and telephone poles

· Legitimate email messages

· Spam email or UCE (unsolicited commercial email)

Just these 11 sources can overwhelm your brain with
marketing messages. Like trapped rats, people develop
defenses against this never-ending onslaught. They throw up
a wall or a "radar defense" that goes into action the minute
they smell a "pitch" or a sales job. Don't blame them. We
all do it!

So how can you get around this psychological wall against
the constant sales and marketing messages? Well, the answer
does NOT lie in hitting people with more frequent and
obnoxious advertising or sly, sneaky tactics. You might get
them to trust you for a minute, but it will backfire in the
long run.

You must do two things instead:

1. First, you must establish credibility for yourself and
your business as an expert.

2. Second, you must reduce their fears about doing business
with you.

Doing these two things will get you past their defenses and
allow you the opportunity to persuade them to buy your
product.

So how do you accomplish these two "simple" things? What
will win someone's attention, raise your credibility, and
lower their fear factor all at the same time? The one-word
answer really applies to most everyone.

Trust!

If a seller can get behind your defenses with information
which makes you trust them, then that credibility will carry
over into a sale much of the time.

How can you get this credibility?

Well, take this next fact as online marketing "gospel," for
many people have proven its effectiveness.

Fact: Publishing and promoting with free articles gives you
one of the most powerful opportunities available to tip the
buyer's credibility scale in your favor.

How can we prove this works? Quite easily actually. Take a
break from reading this and go check out a newspaper or
magazine for a minute.

Which do you trust more, the ads or the articles? Most
people will choose the articles hands down. Why? Because
the articles don't try to "sell" you anything. Instead, they
hand out useful information for educational or other
practical purposes.

Most of us grew up in a culture which says we can believe
and "trust" what appears in the standard "news" or
"information" format. In other words, if it appears in
print, then we can believe and trust the author.

So go ahead! Use this lifetime of conditioning to your
advantage in selling your products and services!

Very few things will create an atmosphere of trust and
confidence in people as reading one of your articles on a
subject that greatly interests them. It shows you know your
business. It also demonstrates you will do more than just
try to sell them something.

Publishing articles literally lets you fly under their
advertising "radar defenses."

So remember these points when deciding whether or not to use
articles to promote your business:

1. Few things create as much trust and confidence in the
minds of potential customers as reading an article you wrote
on a subject which specifically and intensely interests
them.

2. Articles establish credibility quickly because, right or
wrong, we've all been trained to trust the "news."

3. An article, or series of articles, will differentiate you
from the competition, who bombard people with nothing but
sales messages.

4. Providing content-rich, non-sales-oriented articles will
also help build and solidify your relationship with existing
customers so they give you repeat business.

----

Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the co-
author of an amazing new ebook, "Turn Words Into Traffic,"
that will teach you how to use free articles to quickly
drive thousands of targeted visitors to your website or
affiliate link!
Click Here ==> http://hop.clickbank.net/?gr8gift4u/ezarticles

-=-=-==-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Need MORE TRAFFIC to your website or affiliate links?
"Turn Words Into Traffic" reveals the secrets for using
FREE articles to drive Thousands of NEW visitors to your
website or affiliate links... without spending a dime on
advertising! Click Here> http://hop.clickbank.net/?gr8gift4u/ezarticles
-=-=-==-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Marlon Sanders article from consumer to producer

How to Go From Being A Consumer Of Internet Marketing
Info Products To Being A Producer And A Promoter Of
Products, Which Is Where The Action And The Money Is

By Marlon Sanders

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Today's the day, you know.

The day the magic bullet ends.

I'm not here to sugar coat things.

To candy coat his business and sell you sandcastles, dreams
and illusions of an easy life that doesn't exist.

Here's the truth:

The money is in producing and promoting products, NOT in
consuming "how to" info products.

Having said that, last year I spent $37,500 consuming ebooks,
courses, teleseminars and so forth on marketing.

In other words, I AM a consumer.

But dominantly, I'm a producer and a promoter of products.
My job in life is to come up with new products that create
value for my customers and to promote them to the best of
my ability within the time and money constraints I decide
on.

"Marlon, I have SPENT a small fortune.  I have BEEN in
coaching programs. I have BOUGHT the course.  How come I'm
NOT making any dough?"

Answer:  You're consuming.  But are you PRODUCING and PROMOTING?
And are you doing it more than ONCE?  Are you out there playing
the Game every day?

Let me explain...

The problem I see a lot of people have is they consume,
consume, consume. But NEVER cross the bridge to creating,
producing and promoting.

Fundamentally, you ARE a creator. It's a law of life. You
don't get money from others until you create or possess
some sort of value they want and are willing to exchange
for.

The thing that STOPS a lot of people from becoming a producer
and a promoter is FEAR of getting it WRONG!  You want it
all to be perfect, to be right, to NOT make mistakes.

Well, you can throw that out the door right now.

No matter how many courses you buy, you WILL make mistakes,
you WILL waste time, you WILL waste money.  Then why do I
buy info products?  Because I hate learning curves.

I hate figuring things out the hard way. I like doing it
the easy way.

But people get stuck there also. This program sounds good.
Then the next one sounds better or even more perfect.

Let me tell you what I've found -- there's often a difference
between what is SAID and what is DONE.  Meaning, people tell
YOU to do one thing while they DO something else.

You'll notice most Internet marketing teachers DO things
in their promotions they don't teach. That's because they
feel they need to 1-up their customers.

They need to have audio tricks, podcasts tricks, video tricks
that  are PROOF they have superior knowledge and skill.

When you go, "Wow, that was cool!  How did they do that?"
When you say that, you can pretty much bet you'll never find
out.

I have an issue with that.  If I pay you to show me then you show
me something entirely different, yeah, I have a problem with that.
Show it, reveal it, teach it or shut the (#_$ up!

I see a LOT of teachers who have huge, massive results.  Which is
totally awesome.  And their products are great theory. But they
NEVER reveal their secrets.  They never really teach YOU how to
do exactly what THEY do.

They have the cool pdf's.  They have the cool videos. They have the
trick blog graphics. Their video streams perfectly.  They have
hotshot designers. They have awesome video editors.  They have great
writers.

But they never tell you WHO these people are.  Or HOW to create the
PDF graphics.  Or how much they PAY the writers or video editors.
Or where and HOW they hired them and HOW specifically they manage
them. 

Personally, I think it's a crock.  They teach one thing and DO
another. And everybody acts like it's all so great what they're
teaching.  Don't you WONDER exactly how they get their PDF's
distributed by everyone under the sun?  Or how much they paid to
get that video edited.  Or WHO did those killer graphics?  Or
what the squeeze page really LOOKS like that built that 100,000
list?

Or whatever the case may be. I'm just saying I think you deserve
more.

Anyway, my goal is to "out" many of these methods.  At least the
ones that have to do with promoting. You know, some of the real
tricks about how you do the cool podcasts, videos, pdf's, etc.

You know those trick PDF's you see with cool graphics? They're
probably done in Adobe In Design.  But you can ALSO do them in
Power Point or Photoshop Elements if you know how.

You know those totally cool video effects?  Probably done in Adobe
After Effects.  Which is not too hard a program to learn, although
it isn't for newbies.

I think the test of a guru is NOT how tricked out THEIR list, PDF's
or whatever is.  It's do they empower YOU to go and do thou
likewise?

Or are they just building their own little kingdom and keep the
secrets to themselves?  Like HOW do you get trick graphics like that
on your blog?  Who did them and how much did you pay?

Or HOW do you shoot video that looks that good? Or how did you get
those cool graphics on there?  Where did you buy those sound
effects?

Now WHAT did that squeeze page look like exactly and HOW exactly
did you get those 200,000 emails on your list?

Whose empowering whom? 

Who is performing MAGIC TRICKS and illusions, CHARGING you for the
secrets then NOT taking you back stage and teaching you some lame
basic sleight of hand trick?

This is about YOU.

I want to encourage and empower YOU to become a creator, producer
and promoter.

I want YOU to have cool pdf's, cool videos, cool podcasts, cool
web graphics.  I want YOU to build that nice cash cow list.

Can you TALK?  If you can, start doing podcasts as soon as you
can, even if no one is listening.  At least you can post your
podcasts on your blog and send them out to podcast directories.

Create and send audio postcards to whatever list you have.

Don't have a list?  Create AUDIO something or the others that
you GIVE away on a squeeze page to GET subscribers.

Can you WRITE? 

Then get busy. Spend 30 minutes or 1 hour a day writing.  "But
Marlon, I can't type!"  I just talked last weekend to a best-selling
author with many books who types with TWO fingers!  No bull.

So if you can write, get your blog up and start doing posts.
Write emails and sends them to your list. Don't have a list?  Write
a free report, promote it and you'll HAVE a list.

Now, if you can't write and can't talk, you better get a business
partner or get REALLY good bidding out jobs on elance.com! 

Here's my simple point:

You've gotta find ways to COMMUNICATE with your target audience
and get it going.  You get better by DOING. Become a compulsive
DOER. You've got to add DOING to your LEARNING.

And the first step to doing that is to get over the fear of NOT
doing it right!  The way you DO it right is by getting started
and DOING. Then, when you get stuck or make mistakes go back to
your info products and get help. Or go to a forum and get help.

The money in this business is made by creating, producing and
promoting.

You ARE a creator by design.  If you have kids, you're a creator.
If you sing or speak or write, you're a creator.

Your creations do NOT have to be perfect. Few are.

They DO have to be something others want to exchange money for!
That's the criteria.  Will others PAY for your creations?  If
not, get better at it or create something else.  And get better
at the promoting of your creations.

The best artist does NOT make the most money. The best promoter
makes the most money.

Now, a LOT of Internet marketing includes web design.  You need
PAGES on the web. Those pages have TWO things -- design and COPY.

If you can ONLY learn ONE, learn to WRITE COPY!  But I'd advise
you to get decent at both.  It gets really frustrating if you can't
do any web design yourself.

But it gets really EXPENSIVE if you can't write any copy yourself.

I love graphic design.  I really enjoy mucking around with Photoshop,
even though I'm not that good at it.

What I AM good at is writing copy. 

So if you can ONLY learn one skill, learn to write copy.  Or, if
you can't write good, learn to sell on TELESEMINARS.  Good enough.
Lots of people in this business make great livings pitching products
via teleseminars.

My friend, this is NOT a complicated business in terms of strategy.

1.  You target people who are likely to buy and have the money to
buy.

2.  You offer them something VERY appealing for free to get them to
identify themselves as potential buyers.

3.  You make an irresistible OFFER to get them as a first time
customer and build trust.

4.  You SELL them more by sending emails that sends them to podcasts,
video, screen video, webinars or teleseminars.

Let's be honest...

The FUN part of this business is learning.

The DOING part gets frustrating.  It's a technology business.
Servers go down.  Autoresponders muck up. Software NEVER integrates
like it's supposed to. 

There's a learning curve anytime you wanna do something new.

But THAT is where the money is also.

What I do for money pretty much is remove the learning curve. Take
the pain out of the learning curve.

Anytime there's pain, there's money.


But the money is in being a PRODUCER and a PROMOTER. 

The challenge is to overcome the PAIN of things not working, of
NOT knowing which product to produce or hot button to put in the
headline or email to write.

And you'll NEVER know for sure. Gurus don't know. Don't kid yourself.
They ACT all certain because people want to buy CERTAINTY.

But they aren't certain.

There ARE no definitive answers. NONE!  Business and life isn't a
connect-the-dots affair.  It's not the real world.

Real world is you struggle with decisions. Real world is you aren't
sure.  Real world is 7 things don't work and 3 DO work. 

And if you never do the 7 the don't work, you'll never find the 3
that do.

Most people struggle under the illusion that gurus make all 10
things work.

Wrong.

Don't care who the person is. The law of life is 7 things don't work
and 3 things do. I could cite research done on something like 10,000
projects or experiments that validate this.

To sum up:

1.  The money is in producing and promoting, not consuming
2.  Consuming helps you shortcut learning curves
3.  You'll make mistakes and get it wrong. Live with it
4.  You'll never be certain
5.  When you ARE certain, the rules change
6.  You have to try 10 things to find the 3 that work

The people who succeed overcome the pain of doing.

That's the BIG secret.

They execute.  Period. End of story.  They do 10 things for everyone
else's 1 thing.  But that's also where the THRILL is.  There's a
certain THRILL in the doing.  A certain adrenalin. A certain
excitement.

You don't get that sitting on the sidelines. You get THAT playing
the game.  You gotta get IN the game and PLAY the game to win.

You get IN the game the moment you start producing and promoting.
And at first, you'll probably do it wrong.  You'll get it wrong.
You'll choose a bad target market or a dumb product idea.

It's just the way the game works.

You get BETTER at the game by playing.  You can READ chess books all
you want. But you'll NEVER be a great chess player till you pick up
a board and get your king captured and you kick yourself over making
a dumb move.

The thrill, the excitement is in the PLAYING.  And also the mistakes,
the pain, the learning. You don't get one without the other.

Now, my new Promo Dashboard takes as much as the learning curve out
of the way as I could.  It helps you avoid as much of the pain as
possible.

The purpose of the Dashboards is to HELP you execute. There's still
holes or things we overlooked.  I try to cover everything. But
there's always something you forgot or didn't put in.

You'll still screw up or get stuck on this or that.  I'm gonna have
a 60-day forum on Promo Dashboard to help out some.

Yet, this is the process. This is life.  It's not all connect-the-
dots.

It's more like "be uncertain, not know, do anyway, make mistakes,
do more, some works, do more of that."

That's reality.

The thing that gets you buy is passion and a love for what you
do. If you don't love it, if you aren't passionate about it, you
have a long row to hoe.

If you produce and promote like crazy in this business, sooner or
later, the tide will turn your way.

That is what I believe.

Marlon

P.S. I meet people on seminars, get a lot of blog posts, etc.
from people who say, "Marlon, I loved this or that Dashboard or
I loved Amazing Formula or used Push Button Letters."

Or, "I saw you at the seminar and boy were you funny!"

And I love positive feedback.  But if you really wanna put a smile
on my face, then this is it:  "Marlon, you gave me that push I
needed to make the transition from being a consumer to a producer
and a promoter.  Here's what I'm producing or promoting TODAY!"

I didn't say you had to make a zillion or whatever.  But that you
get it and that you're producing and promoting, THAT is the thing.
If you do that, then LEARN and increase your skill, do it and do
it and get better at it .....

See, THEN the bux come.

THEN, your ship comes in.

A lot of people want a magic wand they wave and money comes in
the door.  They want a magic bullet.  The magic system that
can't fail.

My friend, there isn't one. Stop looking. Seriously.

The magic is in YOU taking action, and producing and promoting.
THAT is when the good things happen.

As soon as you get a system up and running, you can HIRE people
to run it for you like I do.

That is when the "lifestyle" kicks in. That's when the "lazy"
part kicks in.

But you gotta get in the Game and get things running first.
THEN you hire people and farm out your systems.

That's how I've not worked a lot in years.  I got a system
up and running and then hired virtual assistants and recently
a few employees.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Marlon Sanders is the author of "The Promo Dashboard."
If you want to see it, go to promodashboard.com.

How To Become An Ideal Leader

How To Become An Ideal Leader

When you are at work, do you get frustrated because things don't seem to be happening the way they’re supposed to be? You see people milling around but nothing gets accomplished. And in the daily hustle and bustle, do you feel that your goals remain just that – goals. Then maybe its time for you to stand up and do something about it.

Most people are content just to stand around listening for orders. And it isn't unusual to adopt a follow-the-leader mentality. But maybe, somewhere inside of you, you feel the desire to make things happen – to be the head, not the tail. Then maybe leadership just suits you fine.

Some people believe that great leaders are made, not born. Yes, it may be true that some people are born with natural talents. However, without practice, without drive, without enthusiasm, and without experience, there can be no true development in leadership.

You must also remember that good leaders are continually working and studying to improve their natural skills. This takes a commitment to constantly improve in whatever endeavor a person chooses.

First of all, let's define leadership. To be a leader, one must be able to influence others to accomplish a goal, or an objective. He contributes to the organization and cohesion of a group.

Contrary to what most people believe, leadership is not about power. It is not about harassing people or driving them using fear. It is about encouraging others towards the goal of the organization. It is putting everyone on the same page and helping them see the big picture of the organization. You must be a leader not a boss.

First of all, you have to get people to follow you. How is this accomplished?

People follow others when they see a clear sense of purpose. People will only follow you if they see that you know where you are going. Remember that bumper sticker? The one that says, don't follow me, I'm lost too? The same holds true for leadership. If you yourself do not know where you're headed to, chances are people will not follow you at all.

You yourself must know the vision of the organization. Having a clear sense of hierarchy, knowing who the bosses are, who to talk to, the organization's goals and objectives, and how the organization works is the only way to show others you know what you are doing.

Being a leader is not about what you make others do. It's about who you are, what you know, and what you do. You are a reflection of what you're subordinates must be.

Studies have shown that one other bases of good leadership is the trust and confidence your subordinates have of you. If they trust you they will go through hell and high water for you and for the organization.

Trust and confidence is built on good relationships, trustworthiness, and high ethics.

The way you deal with your people, and the relationships you build will lay the foundation for the strength of your group. The stronger your relationship, the stronger their trust and confidence is in your capabilities.

Once you have their trust and confidence, you may now proceed to communicate the goals and objectives you are to undertake.

Communication is a very important key to good leadership. Without this you can not be a good leader. The knowledge and technical expertise you have must be clearly imparted to other people.

Also, you can not be a good leader and unless you have good judgment. You must be able to assess situations, weigh the pros and cons of any decision, and actively seek out a solution.

It is this judgment that your subordinates will come to rely upon. Therefore, good decision-making is vital to the success of your organization.

Leaders are not do-it-all heroes. You should not claim to know everything, and you should not rely upon your skills alone.

You should recognize and take advantage of the skills and talents your subordinates have. Only when you come to this realization will you be able to work as one cohesive unit.

Remember being a leader takes a good deal of work and time. It is not learned overnight. Remember, also, that it is not about just you. It is about you and the people around you.

So, do you have the drive and the desire to serve required of leaders? Do you have the desire to work cooperatively with other people? Then start now. Take your stand and be leader today.

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About Ian del Carmen:

Ian del Carmen is the president and CEO of Fireball Planet Corporation.

Check out his blog at http://IanDelCarmen.com. Or visit Fireball Planet at http://FireballPlanet.com

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