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.