Leadership Success Predictors: Do You Amplify Others?

Do you encourage others to become greater or do you speak and act in ways that actually discourage others? The key metric of a servant leader is: Has your influence helped others grow and develop themselves personally and professionally? Are people better off knowing and working with you? Are others accomplishing their goals, objectives and dreams by being associated with you?

Amplify is defined as making something become greater in scope and stronger. Pixar's Randy Nelson reveals the top four predictors that determine if you and your team amplify others. This ten minute video is worth your time.

After watching the video, here's a quick way to self-assess your ability to amplify others:

• Depth of Experience: What is something you have truly mastered? And, how does this mastery demonstrates your ability to achieve mastery in other things?
• Breadth of Knowledge and Experience: Are you more interested in other people and how things work or do you speak and act in ways to make yourself interesting to others?
• Quality of Communication: How well do others understand you? When you do speak, do others tell you they have a better understanding of a situation?
• Create a Collaborative Environment: Do you create an environment that promotes authentic collaboration versus people just doing the basics to cooperate with one another. Is the team creating new possibilities? 
• Bonus - Question to Statement Ratio: What is your question to statement ratio? Do you speak out your ideas more than you ask questions to understand others?

I Will Greet This Day With Love In My Heart (Just Do It)

This is dedicated to +Og Mandino, author and a great man, who has taught me and hundreds of millions to be better men and women.

Kudos to Jason Black, CEO of +Boundless Network, who gave the book "The Greatest Salesman In The World" to the 100+ sales professionals during an annual sales event. My wife, +Cindy Goldsberry, who helped Boundless grow from $1MM to $55MM in six years, was asked to read the second scroll entitled - I will greet this day with love in my heart. Jason knows what's really important for success and he knows how to leverage available resources to deliver a meaningful message. Way to go, Jason!

As Cindy shares this with me, I am inspired to pull my personal copy of the book off the shelf for four reasons: 

Research Confirms Boomers Will Be Rolled Into Their Graves

Research Confirms Boomers Are Successful At Being All Used Up

What kind of shape are you in?

A Gen Y'r +Jason Dorsey, I have met and think he is an amazingly smart and ambitious young man - and quite accomplished for his age - recently posted a +The New York Times article on LinkedIn questioning if Boomers are out of shape (article). Very appropriate for Jason to post an article like this as his business is helping corporations learn how to communicate cross-generational.

As I read the article, many thoughts rattled around. Such as, "I've stayed in decent shape by way of a little yoga and +P90X" to remembering the President's Fitness Council and the incredibly boring exercises we were forced to do in gym class to this whole fitness thing only started because a study in the 1950s said European youth were in better shape than American youth. Well, I guess the Boomers took care of that concern. Go USA!

Actually, what compelled me to post this blog is a quote from the article. 

"Boomers were more likely to use devices to assist them with walking, for example, or to have physical problems that limited their work."

As I read the quote, it's clear the researchers view this as a negative, but being a Boomer and knowing all the Boomers I know, I believe we would view this as positive because it confirms a popular Boomer motto:

"I want to have lived a big, full, rich life such that I'm all used up when they roll me into my grave." Or, as Cindy (my wife) says, "I want to come sliding into Heaven, torn and tattered yelling YEE-HAA."

It is important to note the article did not say Boomers were not walking. They are just being assisted in their walking with devices. And, it did not say Boomers have stopped working. They are only limited in their work. Sounds like Boomers are still getting the job done, no matter what gets in their way.

The research points to the fact Boomers are living longer, which means we have more opportunity to get all used up. I view that as another positive outcome of the research. Nice to know even in our 60s, we still have another 30+ years to get all used up.

It's nice to be confirmed by valid research that Boomers are accomplishing their lifetime objective to "Just roll me in my grave when I die."

Keep on walking and working Boomers. It's in our DNA to keep on trucking through the fog...

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

ZFactor blog explores and discusses a variety of techniques, tools and discoveries by successful people that will assist others to achieve greater personal and professional success. ZFactor is a proprietary coaching methodology based upon the premise that successful people think and act differently. The ZFactor methodology is proven to accelerate a person's ability to think and act differently.

The Best Way To Become A Sustainable Leader!

Anyone truly serious about becoming a highly capable, sustainable leader can easily find leadership development opportunities in any number of community, school or worship communities. It doesn't make any difference about your age or whether you have ever been in a leadership role or you have years of experience in management and leadership roles. If you genuinely desire to develop your leadership skills, get involved in serving others.

One of my "just curious" questions I ask leaders is to give a quick history of their volunteer service, starting with high school. Those leaders with consistent volunteer service are simply more mature, sustainable, servant-minded leaders. Individuals who get involved in service work in high school and college will have numerous opportunities to experience leading others. They are also the ones who will experience faster personal, professional and leadership growth than their peers in the workplace.

Likewise, for anyone at any age. Even if you didn't take advantage of such opportunities in your early years and you think you have limited opportunities where you work, then today is always a good day to get involved and become a volunteer. Find an organization you can truly believe in their purpose and mission. You will not only experience personal growth, but you will be serving others and making a difference in other people's lives.

If you are older, wiser and more experienced, don't think you should immediately be on the board of directors. Get your hands in the dirt. That means be willing to work alongside others and do whatever is needed, especially the grunt work. Really get to know other people who are serving. The key thing to remember - It's not about you. Be like the Undercover Boss.

Anyone who gets involved and is willing to do whatever is needed will find new doors opening up for them in the workplace. it was three young guys in 1920 who wanted more management responsibility in their respective companies. The opportunities weren't there and changing jobs was not an option, so they began doing service projects in the community. Soon, others joined them, the young men got promotions at work and they created the United States Jaycees. 

I believe the future is one of incredible opportunity as I watch young people today get involved in serving others. It's as if volunteering is genetic for them. Imagine the future our emerging leaders are building!

And, if you are a boomer retiring and looking for something to do and find yourself sometimes complaining about today's youth. Become a volunteer. You will find numerous opportunities for mentoring.

Happy Volunteering and Making A Difference,


~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

ZFactor blog explores and discusses a variety of techniques, tools and discoveries by successful people that will assist others to achieve greater personal and professional success. ZFactor is a proprietary coaching methodology based upon the premise that successful people think and act differently. The ZFactor methodology is proven to accelerate a person's ability to think and act differently.

Thanks to Karrie, whose post in the LinkedIn Servant Leadership Group inspired this blog!

What's Your Lifetime Value Potential?

You can easily estimate how much money you will make over your lifetime. Have you ever pondered on your potential to create value for others over your lifetime?

Through my work with ZFactor Group, I get to see people make this simple shift in their mindset. Imagine the possibilities when you focus on creating value for others. My experience is when people do this, their lifetime earnings potential increases substantially.

This is why ZFactor publications focus on Revealing And Releasing Your Untapped Potential. When people choose to think, act and communicate differently, it's like they have finally found that essential key to success.

ZFactor books helps others find their key for success by providing a:

1. Simple map to plot where you are; 
2. Compass to determine the direction you want to go; and, 
3. Guide of defining characteristics to help you know what to do to bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be.

Through our various engagements with others - comments from readers, presentations, coaching sessions or workshops - we are continually amazed at how quickly people shift the way they think about their current situation as they recognize where they are and have a simple map. As people embrace thinking differently, they immediately find themselves in the midst of a personal transformation that propels them from me-focus to others-focus. 

There is no complicated formula or long drawn out training or session-after-session with a guru to figure out the meaning of life. It begins with stop focusing on yourself and focus on others. Sometimes, it can even be as simple as a good friend, Peter Strople, describes how one question can create Instant Change. 

It is in this transformation when people immediately become what we refer to as Value Creators. Instantly, their expertise, knowledge, talents and skills can be focused on moving their life forward and/or a new idea, concept, project, team or organization. The result - other people benefit as you increase their financial value and your lifetime financial value potential increases, as well. And, being others focused doesn't have to be about financial value.

So, what's your choice? Will you maintain a me-focus or will you ponder the question - "What's Your Lifetime Value Potential?" If you are ready for Instant Change in your life, you will choose to ponder the question, engage into thinking, acting and communicating differently and develop a deep understanding for making a difference and creating value for others. 

If you choose to ponder the question, I guarantee your life will change and you will experience all you have ever imagined possible and most likely experience the impossible, as well.

Happy pondering...

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

ZFactor blog explores and discusses a variety of techniques, tools and discoveries by successful people that will assist others to achieve greater personal and professional success. ZFactor is a proprietary coaching methodology based upon the premise that successful people think and act differently. The ZFactor methodology is proven to accelerate a person's ability to think and act differently.

The genesis of this blog is based upon a current engagement by ZFactor Author, Cindy Goldsberry, who is in collaboration with Zilliant, who provides companies with data-driven guidance, enabling smarter pricing and sales decisions to help businesses increase profitable sales. Read Cindy's blog for more information. Learn how Zilliant is definitely a Value Creator for their clients. In fact, they can measure how much more financial financial they provide to their clients.

Other Important Links:

Instant Change (Friends of Peter)

Lifetime Earnings Calculator

Age of Radical Thinking With Heart And Soul

"I think a major act of leadership right now, call it a radical act, is to create the places and processes so people can actually learn together, using our experiences." ~Margaret J. Wheatley

We stand in the midst of radical social change because radical thinking servant leaders with the expertise and wisdom empowered with heart and soul are standing up, speaking out and leading others to learn and work together to create solutions only dreamed by prior generations.

A smart leader today is both a radical thinker and a servant. Because these are times when leaders are thinking like and learning from the likes of George Washington when he recognized that The People were declaring it was time for change.

Washington recognized the influence the pamphlet Common Sense by Thomas Paine was having on colonials, when he said, "I find Common Sense is working a powerful change in the minds of many men." And, John Adams wrote, “Without the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain.”

Smart leaders are tuned to the needs and will of the People and find the ways to harness that energy into a direction for doing good and making big things happen. These leaders create the opportunities for people who want to participate in creating a better life for themselves and their progeny. It is clear that today, through social media People are writing, blogging and commenting on how they want to be a part of making changes in their local schools, communities and government. Smart leaders are hearing and answering these calls. 

These radical thinking leaders are accomplished with a deep passion to make a difference. Most will tell you they have been 'called' into that of a serving leader. Their eyes have been opened to see a need, which has become glued to their hearts so deeply that each beat resounds deeply into their soul with a compelling desire to experience individuals, families, businesses, agencies and communities being transformed. Any leader who chooses to be less than radical about serving those who work with them will soon find they have few, if any, followers. 

Who are these radically thinking servant leaders? 

Character: Their character is the cornerstone of who they are. Only those leaders who have had their character tested by fire, no longer smell like smoke and have developed the capacity to deal with uncertainty and manage change will thrive in today's rapidly changing environment.

Valued Relationships: You will know these leaders by how they speak about, respect and revere each relationship. They value their relationships not for what others can do for them, but for how blessed they feel for being associated and knowing people who inspire these radically thinking leaders to become better servant leaders.

Wisdom: Radically thinking leaders demonstrate their wisdom in the midst of chaos and change. Their agenda becomes to authentically serve the People. They actively listen with the intent to not seek compromise in the squall of diversity, but look for how that diversity empowers the process to reveal and release an entirely new possibility that is both inspiring and compelling for all involved.

Influence: Influence is not something one can just do. It is bestowed upon the leader in that a leader's quality of influence is recognized by the people who associate with the leader. Influence is the capstone of leadership, which clearly signals the vibrancy, stability and sustainability of the leader's cornerstone of character. Their character is revealed in the answers to these questions.

• Who are they in the quiet of their homes?
• What will their family and best friends truthfully say about them to others?
• What truths will be revealed when the leader is gone? 

Radically Big Thinking is relative to a leader's location, level of accomplishment, desire to make a difference and willingness to serve. A radically big thinking leader may be the one who leads others to stop the bullies in the schoolyard and workplace or those who lead profit or nonprofit organizations. No matter the place, time or numbers, the true test of a radically thinking leader will be recognized by the impact on the people involved. 

• Are people growing and developing? 
• Do they have a better life from being served? 
• Are they doing as has been done for them - are they now serving others?

This infographic is like a roadmap to encourage you to find where you are in the context of being a radically thinking servant leader and empower you to focus on the attitudes, behaviors and skills that form the character of an authentic servant leader.

Choose to be a radically thinking leader and only follow radically thinking leaders with good hearts and souls,

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

ZFactor blog explores and discusses a variety of techniques, tools and discoveries by successful people that will assist others to achieve greater personal and professional success. ZFactor is a proprietary coaching methodology based upon the premise that successful people think and act differently. The ZFactor methodology is proven to accelerate a person's ability to think and act differently.

Social Media and Glowing Embers

If you consider yourself a Glowing Ember, then you must engage into social media. Why? If you have a pet project, want to communicate with family or you have something really big you want to make happen, getting into social media is the same as getting out and networking in the early days of networking.

If you think it's too much to learn, let me put it into perspective. If you could manage learning how to operate a personal computer, wade through the thousand page manual and then all the hundreds of pages of software manuals, social media will be a breeze for you. 

Learn to enjoy the simplicity. If you remember the "boot, whirl, whirl, whirl, loading, loading, loading, crash - darn, darn, darn..." then you will be amazed at the simplicity of today's social media. Sure, it's new information to learn. Just consider it a way to slow down the encroaching Alzheimers.

If you jumped into "networking" back in the days, shook hands, passed out your cards, put your name tag on the right side (instead of the left), then you'll love social media. People are waiting to meet you. I've made many new connections and renewed several others.

And, it's like anything else... you get out what you put into it!

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing