Quotes for the Day

Taken from the book The Leadership Challenge, by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner:

" Leaders cannot command commitment, only inspire it"

and

"Leadership is a dialogue, not a monologue"

- Posted by Cheri

Networking Basics

Started reading three new books this week (I know what you are thinking). I'm not very far into it, but never eat alone by Keith Ferrazzi is very interesting. I picked it up because it sounded like it was full of good networking tips that not only I could benefit from, but I am hoping that our members will as well.

He says a line early on in the book that I tell many of our members when I am talking to them about networking at our events. He says " Because, flat out, people do business with people they know and like." Simple but true.

A few key points I like so far:

1. Understand the importance of mentors -" At every stage in my career, I sought out the most successful people around me and asked for their help and guidance.
2. Put others first - He says that real networking is "about finding ways to make other people more successful."
3. Know you have value - ". . .it's the value you bring that makes people want to connect with you. You feel satisfaction when both your peers and your organization share in your advancement."
4. Don't keep score - "Until you become as willing to ask for help as you are to give it, however, you are only working half the equation."
5. Find your passion - "A goal is a dream with a deadline. Before you start writing down your goals, you'd better know what your dream is."

Good stuff to ponder. Think I'll keep reading now.

- Posted by Cheri

Bookshelf Envy

Check out this picture of a good-looking bookshelf:

Found it at Jeff's place.

- Posted by Cheri

Books For The Break

I have been home with a bad cold the last day and a half, but returned to work this morning to find several nice surprises. Here are two of them:

I ordered A Power Within by Susie Hemingway (see my previous post on this) and am so looking forward to reading it over the holiday break.

Last week I had a conversation with one of the people I admire the most, David Trautman, and we talked about a meeting I was in and the outcome of it. He told me that I should read You Can Negotiate Anything by Herb Cohen. And in David Trautman style, it appeared on my desk yesterday. Thank you David.

It is shaping up to be a great day, even with my cold.

Inspired By Love

Congratulations to Susie Hemingway on her first published book entitled A Power Within.

I just ordered my copy and am looking forward to reading it.

Thanks to Matt for writing about it in today's Sunday Inspiration.

I Want To Be Brilliant in 2010

Although I am NOT wishing my life away, I am looking forward to 2010 after reading this. Bate has a few books on my Christmas wish list this year, including Instant Brilliant 2010.

Are You A Dreamer?

These people not only know how to dream, but they weren't afraid to act upon their dreams:

• Nathan Sawaya and The Art of the Brick


• The Laundress (make sure you click on The Places We Love - NY. Love the side scrolling)


• Terra Chips


• Tracy Stern and SALONTEA (not your mother's tea shop)


• SENDaBall - Literally


• Kaile Warren and Rent-A-Husband (click on Find A Husband Near You)


• Mindee Doney and Julie Pickens with Boogie Wipes (this is not a typo)

Finished The Big Idea tonight. The companies/individuals listed above were mentioned in this book as successful entrepreneurs. If you are dreaming about owning/running your own business, read this book. You will get the bug.

The Book Tower

Upon looking at my nightstand, my husband remarks: "Are you trying to reach the ceiling?" referring to my stack of books on my nightstand, which now looked like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. I flashed him my leave me alone look and decided that maybe I should take a few moments to go through the stack.

I decided to sort them into three piles: 1 - books I have read and need to put away; 2 - books I have started and never finished, but have every intention of finishing and 3 - books that if I had nothing but time to read, I would, but I don't, so they are going back to the bookshelf for the time being. Here are the results of the sort:

The books that I have recently finished

(the middle book is Gift Of The Sea)

The books that I WILL finish

Books that I would like to read, but . . .

As I was sorting the books, my 12 year-old comes into the room and looks at the new stack on the nightstand and says: "these are boring books. I wouldn't read them." Gotta love children.

Working With Your Friends

About a week or so ago I wrote about a new book I ordered by Jonathan Fields. I started reading it recently and it is well worth the money.

Fields reminds us that we thrive better when we are around like-minded people. He states,

"Actually, the best part of being an entrepreneur is not the control you gain over wealth, but the chance to handpick the people you surround yourself with and create an organizational culture that is completely in sync with who you are."

He also shared some interesting statistics on friendship in the workplace compiled by Tom Rath, head of Gallup Organization Workplace Research:

• People with a best friend at work are seven-times more likely to be engaged at work.
• Close friendships at work boost employee satisfaction by nearly 50 percent.
• People with at least three close friends at work were 46 percent more likely to be extremely satisfied with their job and 88 percent more likely to be satisfied with their lives.
• Being around a boss was generally considered the least pleasant part of the workday. But, employees who are good friends with their bosses are more than twice as likely to be happy with their work.

We tell our kids to go to school or camp and "make new friends." The same effort can be applied in the workplace; it could have significant results on how satisfied we are with life.

Not Just Another Book of Fluff

Had a few minutes today to check out some blogs I follow and got excited when I read Chris Brogan's book review of Career Renegade: How To Make A Great Living Doing What You Love. If you are an entrepreneur, this book is for you. Think I will order it now.

Just what I need - another book to add to the stack.