The Way Leaders Think

John E. Markley

• Publisher: LitFire Publishing
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9781643985596
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Negocios y empresa
• Subtopic: Liderazgo

The only limitation on your leadership potential is the one you create by how you think. When a leader completes the necessary positive action to change the way they conduct business, the whole organization completes the same postive transformation. At the end of the day, "Leadership is all about you". But also remember, "It's more about the people in your organization who you influence and lead." The individual who receives critical lessons in thinking on how to think like a leader is given an advantage in life.

Introduction

I have applied the same principles I am providing for you in my book. It doesn’t matter what position or level you currently are in your career. My book provides leadership lessons for all levels and general life situations. As a result of applying these basic leadership principals I have become an effective leader who has worked my way from various positions at the bottom to the top. I have earned two college degrees, developed state of the art pilot programs for top companies, government organizations, completed numerous nationally recognized certifications, and have had the opportunity to travel and teach leadership principles all over the United States.

You may already have a great position and you may already be nationally or internationally recognized and highly respected for your work as a leader. Or you may just have the desire to reach your full potential by making leadership a lifelong learning experience. Leadership is an amazing journey and I am inviting you along to learn from my education and experience. The practice of reading, and study critical lessons in leadership has earned me various leadership positions. In return it has allowed me to make an impact, mentor and teach many great groups of people.

And most important, it has permitted me to pursue the kinds of things I enjoy doing in life.

You will benefit from reading the various lessons that I have applied in training seminars compiled from various sources. The material I have chosen for this book is from material I have personally developed, or programs, which I have worked on or partnered with over the years. I believe this is important, so you can weigh in and see some of the leadership styles and techniques. Many of the projects I have worked for the general public, government agencies, and privet sector have provided me with critical lessons I am sharing with you. I have received much leadership experience gained through special assignments, leadership positions, and various projects I have co-authored or developed.

I received much knowledge and training by accepting a position with the OSHA Consultation Program. The safety and health program are administered by the West Virginia Division of Labor and is hundred percent funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA Region Three out of Philadelphia, PA. I was hired to develop and administer a one of a kind pilot programs to provide safety and health training and safety programs to small businesses in general. The program was developed in a way the training curriculum would to assist companies in high hazard industry to become compliant with the OSHA Standards. It also helped companies who had been cited by OSHA for non-compliance of safety and health standards by minimizing loss to employees and resources and reduce fines. The scope and latitude of the program also permitted us to establish many partnerships in construction, industry, health care, with the Small Business Development Centers, various unions, training organizations, smaller companies awarded the Star Program, and large companies under the VPP Program by OSHA. Learning to network with all of these organizations was a challenge. As you are aware, most people are resistance to change until he or she receives the proper guidance, a good portion of the programs resources was devoted to changing a company’s ideas and culture.

In addition, while as the Deputy Director over the West Virginia Corrections Training Academy I was appointed as a Regional Field Coordinator with the U.S. Department of Justice National Training Academy developing programs, curriculum, and conducting leadership seminars in various department of public safety and state jurisdictions.

So, in short, I have had the opportunity to research, write, develop, and present leadership and safety programs around the country. Although holding various leadership positions it has allowed me to conduct leadership and safety and health seminars in the public and private sector. I have always put the employees and staff interest and needs first. I have always tried to assist people by doing more and learning more which my position permitted me to do. Applying the same principles from my book will give you the same leadership advantage.

This does not mean I haven’t made mistakes along the way. A matter of fact, I have always had to work harder, study harder than most. Leadership for me has been a lifetime commitment. I am committed to completing what I began and will never give up pursuing my dreams; this is my opening message for you: “don’t ever give up on your dreams, remain committed to improving your lifestyle, and lead others to fulfill theirs.

I have spent thousands of hour’s studying and conducting research to complete college coursework assignments. I have paid out thousands of dollars in tuition for my college degrees. I have spent hundreds of hours attending seminars to obtain specialized certifications to teach. All of my extra effort did not guarantee I would somehow reach the professional level I desired to be at in life. When I accepted the fact the only way I could achieve my goals was leading others. Most people do not want the responsibility for the well-being and direction of others. Leading others has defined who I am.

These leadership lessons weren’t developed at one time; they were developed with continued critical thinking. Hopefully I will surprise you with some new leadership material you haven’t read or received by attending a seminar. Some of the topics we are going to cover in this book are original concepts and some are modified from a combination of what I have presented and some from research I have conducted.

The following are concepts for your critical thinking while you read this material:

1). Create established time lines for yourself to complete what you began and always remain open to learning and helping others to become more.

We as leaders must make a commitment to live in a transparent world, which sustains leadership; good or bad, lessons learned. It would be great if every lesson in this book was a perfect fit for every situation.

Unfortunately, each critical lesson is a learning process, learning much from mistakes, but never giving up on you.

2). Thoughts and learning about leadership.

It would be really nice if we climbed to a Plato and all of the answers, we ever wanted to know were there waiting for us. So as the world constantly changes around us, a final answer to any question will always remain open until addressed by us. That is until we learn it’s easier to learn from other successes as well as learning from our own mistakes. Leadership is about leading others as well as leading you with the desire to learn and grow. When the path is easy it’s time to let others learn to lead. When path is difficult it’s your time to lead because more than likely you have been down the path before. It’s the leader’s job to point out successes and lessons learned from previous mistakes. If you are leading, it’s because you are constantly learning and eager to understand and gain from success and failure.

3). Leadership expressed by an author, instructor and teacher.

Most people view their own strength compared that with a leader they are familiar with. People who can become strong; retain knowledge, gain experience while all the time transforming it into attributes of a leader. We spend a great deal of our time thinking about what we want, getting what we want. Leaders find a place or make a place at the top.

4). Fear of loss

We often learn the hard way therefore we overcome our fear. As your leadership style is refined, it will replace fear with vision. Wisdom will transform frustration into patience and understanding with the final product of personal growth.

If you make a mistake immediately apologize to the person in public. People will respect you for it. There will always be those who will have a negative response. Tear up those thoughts and throw them in the trash and move beyond them.

5). Take time to read and reread this material and share with your leadership team and individuals who are inspired to lead.

Become the difference, you are not a leader until you bring others on your journey, when you meet a stranger be the first to hold out your hand and greet them.

When I attend a leadership conference, training seminar, or read a leadership book I expect to receive information, which will make me a greater success in life. Or possibly I may have the desire to obtain information, which will open the door to make me a better person and develop and maintain lasting relationships. I can only imagine you are reading this leadership book to build on and obtain something greater in your life. Writing a leadership book is like presenting at a leadership conference. So instead of presenting for a group of individuals my focus will be on you. If you read my leadership book, “Lead Yourself Today” then you already have an understanding, leadership is all about you.

The first objective is focusing on what is happening positive in your life and your organization. By focusing what you are already doing right, your will focus on a pleasing personality and influencing everyone you meet. Today is a special occasion...

Table of contents

• Book Dedication
• Foreword
• Introduction
• About The Author
• Afterword