Monthly Archives: March 2010

Blind Spots

Posted on by
Reply
We all have blind spots. These are traits or characteristics personal to us that are visible to others, but not possible for us to see. Unfortunately, often these traits or characteristics are our shortcomings, such as, perhaps, being too opinionated or maybe not being a good listener. Whatever the case, if you are open to learning about the failings in your blind spot (and then acting upon them), continual growth and development is inevitable. If, however, you take no steps to discovering what is in your blind spot (or refuse to act upon what you learn), you have established an insurmountable limitation for yourself.

Commit to having no limits. Do all you can to discover what lies in your blind spots – such as by asking friends and family for their (sometimes brutal) honesty. Then take steps to act upon what you have learned.

The Three P’s of Knowing

Posted on by
Reply
In developing a networking relationship there needs to be a mutual sense of knowing. This knowing cannot be limited to who we are and what we do, however. This knowing must encompass all aspects of the three P’s: Our past (where we are from, where we went to school), our personal lives (marital status, names and ages of kids, and even hobbies and interests), as well as professional background (degrees and licenses, current employers, and past employers).

Be A Leader

Posted on by
Reply

Ever notice how most leaders have well developed networks? That is no coincidence. The fact is that an advantage of any type of leadership position is that it gives you a built-in excuse for connecting with people.

If the thought of a leadership position seems daunting because of the required commitment and the nature of the exposure, there is a way to ‘have your cake and eat it too.’ Take more behind-the-scenes leadership roles – such as being hospitality chair, publicity chair or even assisting a main officer. This can serve to give you some of the exposure of leadership without completely immersing you in responsibility.

Mind The Little Things

Posted on by
Reply

You can find in many children’s bedtime books a short poetic fable by an unknown author entitled For Want Of A Nail that goes like this:

 

For want of a nail, the shoe was lost;

For want of a shoe, the horse was lost;

For want of the horse, the rider was lost;

For want of the rider, the battle was lost;

For want of the battle, the kingdom was lost;

And all for the want of a nail.

 

The point or moral for you and your Chapter is that the little things we do and the little things that we encourage our members to do can and will have a significant impact on the Chapter’s success.

 

Analogizing the story of For Want Of A Nail to the operation of a Chapter:

 

·        Because the Chapter does not appropriately introduce guests, the guest does not join; and,

·        Because the guest does not join, his or her referrals are never given within the Chapter; and,

·        Because his or her referrals are never given within the Chapter, a member terminates their membership; and,

·        Because this current member terminates their membership, his or her referrals are no longer given within the Chapter; and,

·        Because his or her referrals are no longer given within the Chapter, another member terminates their membership; and so on and so forth.

 

Because the Chapter fails to do one simple little thing – introducing guests appropriately – possibly (and in many cases entirely likely) sets in motion a chain of events that has a drastic impact on the Chapter.

 

Remember, if you mind the little things, generally big things will follow.