News from Leadership By Design

News From LBD

September 2012 Volume 4 Issue 9

Chapter One

I walk down a street and there's a big hole. I don't see it and fall into it. It's dark and hopeless and it takes me a long time to find my way out. It's not my fault!

Chapter Two

I walk down the same street. There's a big hole and I can see it, but I still fall in. It's dark and hopeless and it takes me a long time to get out. It's still not my fault.

Chapter Three

I walk down a street. There's a big hole. I can see it, but I still fall in. It's become a habit. But I keep my eyes open and get out immediately. It is my fault.

Chapter Four

I walk down a street. There's a big hole. And I walk around it.

Chapter Five

I walk down a different street.

Which chapter best describes the last week in your life? Are there "holes" you keep falling into? How can you break that pattern? If you're already taking some responsibility for your actions and habits, who else can can you contact to coach you through your obstacles?

What Leaders are Reading

Winning the Story Wars: Why Those Who Tell (and Live) the Best Stories Will Rule the Future by Jonah Sachs -- The story wars are all around us. They are the struggle to be heard in a world of media noise and clamor. Today, most brand messages and mass appeals for causes are drowned out before they even reach us. But a few consistently break through the din, using the only tool that has ever moved minds and changed behavior...great stories.

The Shaping of an Effective Leader by Gayle D. Beebe -- Gayle Beebe was a college student of Peter Drucker and has been significantly impacted by Drucker's management views. In this book Beebe talks about the eight formative principles of Leadership. They are, in sequence of importance: character, competence, chemistry, culture, compatibility, convictions, connections, and commitment. This is one of those "can't put it down" books that you can definitely use with clients.

Leadership Tip of The Month

Marketing Made Simple

To whom should you market, and what do you say to them?

This one should be easy.

Market to someone and say something to them.

See! I told you it was easy. Many companies miss the mark with their marketing. Some try to speak to everyone, or they try to sell them everything. They usually end up with the same result. They end up saying nothing to everyone or saying everything to no one.

How do you and your organization hit the mark? Pick out your market, your someone, then clarify your unique proposition, your something, and go for that target!

If you or your staff are challenged by these simple tasks, don't fret. There is help.

For additional information contact LBD.
John Branstad

John Branstad

Quote of the Month

"Everyone is ignorant, just on different topics."

Will Rogers

John Branstad
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