News From LBD

September 2013 Volume 5 Issue 9

"HOLD THE ROPE"

Every year a professional football team wins the Super Bowl. Every year a college football team wins the NCAA title. Every year a high school team wins the state crown. All these teams have one thing in common: No matter how tough it became throughout their season, they did one thing, they "held the rope!"

What is "holding the rope?" Imagine that you are hanging from the edge of a cliff with a 100 ft. drop. The only thing between you and a fall to your death is a rope, with the person of your choice on the other end.

Who do you know that will let that rope burn their hand and not let go? How many people do you know are going to withstand the burning pain for you?

If you can name two people, that's not good enough, because those two people might not be around. Surround your self with good people, people you can trust to "hold the rope."

Who do you trust in your personal life? Who do you trust in your professional life. Will they hold your rope? Will you hold their rope?

When you can look at every member on your team and say, "they all would hold the rope," you are destined to win. You see the team that holds the rope when the going gets tough are winners. Every year there are winners and losers in life. Every year the winners "hold the rope" or have someone holding the rope for them.

If you surround yourself with a good team of people, if you do what's right by them, and most of all "hold the rope," they will hold the rope for you and you will be successful.

Don't let your team down! "Hold the rope!"

What Leaders are Reading

Be the First Believer-
by Ed Deutschlander and Rich Campe

Many books have been written about leadership "lessons for life" even though there is really nothing new in the area of leadership. Be the First Believer's collection of stories and anecdotes takes some basic leadership concepts and transforms them into a very readable, understandable and enjoyable book. This book makes you think, gives you ideas, and if applied, will lead you to a "Big Trophy Day."

Leadership Tip of The Month

Surround your self with a Good Team and then Create Team Rules

It's not unusual for a team that works together, with a common purpose, to be successful. It is also not unusual that the team members operate under a standard set of rules or norms.

Some of the best ideas, best creativity and best results comes from a team environment of open mindedness, brainstorming and some level of disagreement. To maximize results, generate consensus and commitment from every team member by setting team rules. Rules like:

There is no bad idea.
Do not interrupt.
You are allowed to disagree.
Do not take it personally.
Communicate with respect.
Be open and honest.
Deal with conflict professionally and quickly.
Hold the rope.

Team success, behavior, attitude and trust can be established early by creating an environment (rules) for such success.

To learn how, contact LBD.

John Branstad

Quote of the Month

"Good leadership consists of showing average people how to do superior work."

John D Rockefeller

John Branstad
www.leadershipbydesign.org
763-213-5267