By John Jantsch

So much about the world we live and work in has changed. I suppose every generation feels that to some extent, but now it’s my turn to acknowledge it. I’ve owned my business for over twenty years and the changes in how we market, interact, collaborate, congregate, follow and lead have changed unalterably. And with it, a new breed of leader has emerged – in part because the world is desperate for it. Seth covered this new kind of leader well in Tribes. I have the pleasure of addressing the network of Duct Tape Marketing coaches for the opening session of our conference in Boulder this morning – and I plan to challenge this group to embrace the traits of today’s leader.

1) Trust themselves

An authentic trust in one’s self allows a leader to make decisions for the right reason and not out a hidden agenda or attempt to prop up self-worth. This trait also comes shining through when risk and uncertainly knock at the door,

2) Make meaning

The greatest leaders I encounter are doing what they are doing for love of a higher purpose.  This doesn’t mean a spiritual or religious purpose, although it can, but they are trying to guide people on a journey worth taking.  Chris Brogran is making the world a better place by blogging about engagement.  His “make meaning” why he’s found a way to turn it into make money.

3) Embrace change

Well, I guess we’ve all seen what the Internet has done to companies and entire industries unwilling to embrace change – think newspapers? Today’s leader is downright giddy about the speed at which things are happening all around them and in every aspect of their life.

4) Keep learning

Today’s teacher understands the speed of change and further understands that in order to have any reason for people to follow, they must provide a sense of what’s next, what’s ahead – the only way to do that is inquire vigorously, every day.

5) Are the example

How is it possible to lead if you aren’t willing to walk the talk, if you aren’t an example to those who would follow. Or worse, to be driven by a higher purpose and not let it shine through your actions. Do as I say, not as I do just won’t cut it anymore. The most attractive form of leadership involves no words.

6) Act congruent

I suppose this one goes hand in hand with the last trait, but it shows up in the value proposition. Today’s leader knows what value they bring, what results they produce, and what all of that is worth. They have no issues charging what they are worth and looking a prospect or customer in the eye when they educate them. What are your feet doing when you speak.

7) Practice abundance

Today’s leader gets cooperation like never before – there is so much business out there waiting to be attracted in this Internet world that we now find ourselves without competition. Let’s all play together to make a better world! I know most of you read this blog to get my take on marketing stuff, but every now and then I just have to address the whole entrepreneur in all of us.

http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog

As you go about your routine, have you built in time for ongoing personal development? For me, I take at least 20 minutes a day to get a feel for what other people are doing— people I respect. I call this “continuing education” and the way it works for me is I check in from time to time on people who I know are more successful, more effective, and have a bigger following than me.

For example: Oprah – businesswoman extraordinaire
His Holiness the Dalai Lama – religious figure
Marshall Goldsmith – thought leader
Michio Kaku – physicist and futurist
TED.org — a great introduction to what smart people are doing worldwide

What are you doing to think better? As an A+ student in high school, I considered myself at the head of the class, but when I entered an Ivy Leage for college, I realized that there were plenty of people brighter than me — so I started to focus on my core attributes and develop a success mindset that goes beyond any kind of limitation for my own abilities and instead builds up the abilities of my community and clients, as a whole. All of us working together achieve more.

What are your core attributes? What are the unique skills and talents that you have in your life? Entrepreneurship, for many of us, means showing up, being focused, finding the right people to help, and identifying and sharing a clear vision.

Who do you “follow” who is just a little bit more than you — maybe they’re more senior, or they’re more networked, or they’re more green, or they’re more sustainable.

Find someone who is performing at a higher level, and find out how they do it and what makes them “tick.”

In my Facebook account, I’ve grouped these people into my “Influentials” list and I review it when I check my news feed. Let’s face it — not everyone has a stimulating status update, but when you get a sense of how these A+ people operate and what moves them during their regular day, you can learn how to achieve on their level.

To learn more about Monica S. Flores, web developer at 10K Webdesign, click here or follow her @monicadear.

I sure hope none of you have experienced anything like this? This video would be funny if it weren’t so true. Unfortunately, this keeps happening more and more in sales and professional services industries and it is downright pathetic.

If you relate to this at all then it is time to get back in sync with the basics of selling. Look at the value you provide and not the hourly fee you charge.

It’s time to stop the INSANITY! If you are experiencing anything like this I would love to hear back from you.

Tracy

I love this video!  It is brilliant….   If you want to know more about this great video you will want to check out http://www.bringtheloveback.com .   Geert Desager has done a fabulous job working with their ad agency Openhere and  Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions to develop this commercial and a series of others.

This video demonstrates the relationship between today’s advertisers and today’s consumers.  The irony is that the couple:   Mr. Advertiser & Mrs. Consumer agree to meet at a restaurant to discuss their relationship.  This video is very clever and funny and represents how consumers feel about traditional advertising.   I feel that this definitely represents what is happening in the marketplace.   We have seen a great shift away from traditional media and this video represents that perfectly.  You can also find out more about Geert Desager at http://brandopia.wordpress.com.

What did you think of this video?  I would love to hear back from you.