Leadership Significance

Here is some meaningful information that we have incorporated into our development program for NBA officials. We have referenced authors such as John Maxwell, Pat Williams and Steven Covey.

The following TEN points will help take one down the road to leadership significance.

10: LIVE LARGE: One should be willing to try new approaches and move forward with an open mind. Living large can mean taking a risk and at the same time knowing that success can come on the second, third or many times after multiples attempts. This is another way of saying, "GO FOR IT".

9: LEARN PATIENCE: There are so many opportunities of significance that are well worth waiting for. Instant success is very rare. The leader who knows the direction he is headed is willing to wait for good timing. Patience is a learned trait, as life experience will teach us.

8: ADAPT TO CHANGE: Life's constant is change. A leader has strong principles and standards but at the same time is willing to see change and modify, alter, reroute, diversify or just adjust to change. The circumstances around us are in a constant state of change. Being on the "cutting edge" is a recognition that change is all around us. The visionary not only adapts to change but effects change.

7: CONTROL WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL: The leader knows what is controllable and what is not. There is wasted energy spent on situations that cannot be controlled. Work to effect positive growth and change with situations that can be controlled.

6: BE A TEAM PLAYER: The great Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan were talented individuals who by their very presence made others around them more successful. The leader who thinks in the terms of "US" has a chance to multiply success in a mighty way. Very few projects of significance have reached a high level of success without a group of leaders focusing on a common goal. It was Ron Reagan who said "it is amazing what can be accomplished when it matters not who gets the credit." A good team player is secure in who he is.

5: LEARN TO LEAD: A leader is an influencer. There are many other synonyms for what is a leader but influencer is the most concise. Each of us can influence in our current life position. We can make a choice to either influence in a positive or negative manner. Learning to lead is an attitude and attitude is a choice.

4: GIVE UP THE RIGHT TO COMPLAIN: This ties in very closely with numbers 5 and 7. If we cannot effect positive change and we are living in a situation that requires patience and internal strength, then complaining is a meaningless exercise.

3: AVOID CARELESSNESS OR APATHY: The leader knows the difference between being satisfied and being content. The content person is comfortable with who he is. He is secure in himself BUT at the same time is NOT satisfied with his surroundings. His inner drive is to effect positive change.

2: HAVE FUN...SAVOR THE MOMENT: This ties in with number 3 as we need to enjoy the accomplishments of those around us as well as enjoying the feeling of successfully "climbing the mountain". The leader recognizes the little victories that follow the path to the big victory. The leader knows that this attitude is foundational to contentment.

1: CONCENTRATE ON CHARACTER: The leader is honest about his strengths and shortcomings. He takes ownership for his failures and uses life's experiences to stimulate internal growth. The leader leads from within!! There is no greater life teacher than life's happenings themselves.

These ten points are central to continuous growth of leadership. The effective influencer understands and internalizes these points.