The Lunch Police

The Lunch Police

By Mark Bowser

You may have heard about the incidents in North Carolina in February 2012 at one school district. Apparently, they are having a food crisis. "You mean there is no food Mark? That is terrible. Must be the Republicans. They always love to starve children. Something must be done." Oh, something must be done alright. You see, it is not the Republicans and they don't have a food shortage in North Carolina.

The problem is this: certain government elitists believe they know what our kids should eat more than we do. You heard me. The government has issued a warrant for your arrest. Why? Because, you are mean, ignorant, and cruel. You are feeding your kids food not fit for hogs.

In case some of you missed it, here is one example of the loving, caring, people who are watching our kids in the school cafeteria.

This is the story of a 4 year old in North Carolina. Let's call her Sally. I don't believe that is her name but that is what we will call her. This bright, innocent, pre-schooler strolled into the cafeteria full of joy and excitement. As you know, eating lunch in the school cafeteria is an adventure for a pre-schooler. An adventure that was soon to be dashed by our dastardly villain.

As Sally entered the cafeteria on this faithful day, she carried in her arms her lunchbox filled with the wonderful food her loving mother packed for her that morning.

Sally had just begun to crunch on her lunch when our villain appeared. "Let me see what you have for lunch today Sally," said our villain - The Lunch Police. Now, at this point, what choices could Sally make? She could refuse. She could start a petition to have the villain removed. I know, she could form a sit in with her friends to protest this injustice of her individual freedoms and rights.

No, in reality, Sally could do none of these things. She is only 4 years old and an adult who is an authority figure told her what to do...and she obeyed.

The villain went on to tell Sally that her mommy didn't fix her a good lunch. The villain confiscated Sally's lunch and went and got for her some school cooked chicken nuggets instead. "You mean, those fried, greasy little things?" Those would be the ones.

Sally went home after school and with a confused, hurt little expression looked up into her mommy's eyes and asked, "Mommy, why didn't you fix me a good lunch?"

In a small way, the elitist government is attempting to turn Sally from the belief that her parents know best for her to the belief that the almighty government undoubtedly knows best for us all.

Seriously? This is what our government is doing now? Does anybody see the big problem here? Could it be encroachment? Could it be individual freedom? How about family rights? Our Founding Fathers tossed tea into Boston Harbor for less encroachment. Just some food for thought.

I would now like to invite you to connect with me on LinkedIn athttp://www.linkedin.com/in/markbowser. Also, check out my book Three Pillars of Success now in Amazon Kindle ebook format athttp://www.amazon.com/Three-Pillars-of-Success-ebook/dp/B007BKQTG6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1329858498&sr=8-3. Thanks for reading today.

Why Do Some Leaders Fail?

By Mark Bowser

Why do leaders fail? This is a tricky question. One with multiple depths of answers. However, I believe there are two shining pillars that are always missing from leaders who fail. Sometimes, these failing leaders are missing both of these pillars and at other times they are missing just one of them. But, if either is missing, failure is inevitable.


What are these missing pillars? They are Character and Vision. Let’s take a few minutes to explore these pillars a bit deeper.

Hitler was a man of great vision. A man who succeeded a great deal. But, Hitler was a lousy leader. Why? Because of a lack of moral character. Yes, he thought he had character. Yes, many others thought he had character too. But, to the masses of the world and of history, he lacked the basic moral character of honesty, uprightness, and love for fellow human beings. Because of this, he eventually failed. We could get into the theological reasons for this failure, but that is one for another discussion. All leaders who lack character at their core will fail. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday.

The second pillar that is missing from leadership failures is vision. Vision is vital. Vision is critical. King Solomon in the book of Proverbs said, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” And perish indeed they will. Where there is no vision or direction, people wander around in chaos with no purpose. The human experience needs purpose. We not only need purpose, we crave it. Vision provides the purpose of the destination before the journey ever begins.

Successful leaders continually develop their two pillars. They are mindful of their character and where they are going. Would there be an America without a Washington? Would there be two countries if not for Lincoln? Would England have survived World War Two without Churchill. Will your organization thrive without you? A you focused on incredible character and a vision worthy of the moon. Some thoughts for us all to ponder.

The Two Most Important Training Elements to Have Are...

By Mark Bowser

Without a doubt, there are two elements that all successful people share. If that is true, and it is, then shouldn’t we seek the same knowledge and training if we want to be successful too? Of course. It makes sense, doesn’t it?


Well, then what are these two elements of knowledge? The two elements that all successful people share are Leadership Perspective and Selling Success. If was John C. Maxwell who said, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” And, Zig Ziglar expressed, “Nothing happens until someone sells something.”

Let’s take a peek at these two elements and see how they fit in with our lives. Let’s start with Leadership. We are all leaders. No, you may not lead an organization, a department, or a social club, but you are still a leader. The first person you lead is yourself and from there you lead the people around you.

In his book, Spiritual Leadership, J. Oswald Sanders defines leadership with one word and one word alone. That word is “influence.” The truth of the matter is that we all influence people every single day. It may be as simple as influencing your co-workers on where to eat lunch today or as important as influencing your 15 year old daughter not to get on drugs. We are all leaders…and it is vital that we improve and increase our influence for the sake of not only ourselves, but more importantly for all the people around us.

The second element is Selling Success. This is one where many people get confused. You may be thinking, “Mark, I’m not in sales. Don’t even want to be. Nothing against salespeople, it just isn’t my thing.” Well, let me correct you right there. Selling is your thing. That is, if you want to be successful. Listen to Zig’s words again, “Nothing happens until someone sells something.” We sell every single day. No, you may not be in the world of selling as a career but you still sell. We sell ourselves, our ideas, our beliefs, our knowledge, etc… If you can’t sell these things, then nothing happens in your life. You are like a boat on a lake with no oars. You get pushed and shoved by the waves of life with no control, no direction, and no focused success.

Earlier, we said that leadership is “influence.” Couldn’t we say the same thing about selling. Think about that teenage daughter pondering about taking drugs. Doesn’t it take a selling influence to persuade her not to walk that path? Parents are some of the most influential sales professionals on the planet.

Now, let’s talk just for a moment about the people who are in the world of selling as their career. Our whole economy is based on selling. Successful selling creates growth for a nation. We, as a nation, need to be grateful and appreciative for our sales professionals. In a very real sense, we all have jobs because someone went out there and sold something.

How do we get out of a recession? How do we create more jobs? How do we springboard this economy? By taking unnecessary regulations off the back of American business’ and by training effectively at least 4 million sales professionals throughout the nation. I can help us with that. That is what I do. I train leaders and I train sales professionals. That is my contribution to the marketplace. And I am committed to doing everything I can to increase my influence in these areas. So, let me close today with two questions. Where is your influence? And, are you willing to commit to increasing that influence? Now, go out there…and make it happen! God bless you!

Lead Yourself First!

By Mark Bowser
http://www.markbowser.com/

It was Zig Ziglar who said that “You must manage yourself before you can lead someone else.” Not a truer statement was ever said. Let me give you a thought to ponder. If you are reactive, blowing off some steam, and saying a few choice, shall we say, colorful descriptions, is it conceivable that your children will do the same thing? You may be thinking, “But, Mark, I don’t say those words in front of my children?” Are you sure? Our character is with us all the time. They will pick up on it in very subtle ways.



Let’s say you are a supervisor of a team of 50 sales professionals. They will treat your customers and prospects the same way that you treat them. Are you honest, kind, helpful, motivational, and positive in all your dealings with them?


The truth of the matter is that we all drop the ball. None of us is perfect. I encourage you to focus on your own personal development and growth. This is where your leadership needs to begin and end. When your leadership development is bookended with yourself, you will discover that much of the middle will take care of itself.

Example is Great Leadership!

Good morning Leaders!

Here is a great Leadership Thought to start out our week.

"Example has more followers than reason."
Christian Bovee

Now, go out and set a great example for your team.  God bless you!

Mark

Leadership Lessons: Coach by asking Questions

Good afternoon Leaders

As a leader, we do a great deal of coaching.  Wouldn't you agree?  Well, to coach effectively, we have to listen to our team members.  As we approach this holiday weekend here in America, I encourage you to ponder the following thought.

"When coaching (and leading), don't do too much telling. Continue to ask questions, listen...then teach if needed."
Mark Bowser

Have a great Leadership Day. God bless!

Mark
Jeremiah 29:11

Integrity is Everything for a Leader

Good morning Leaders,

Here are some words to ponder as you go through your leadership day.

"Guard your integrity as a priceless element...because it is."
Mark Bowser

Make it a great leadership day full of influence. God bless you.

Mark

JEREMIAH 29:11