#VAMACON20: Personal Growth & Leadership

I heard someone once say, “Learning is like rowing upstream – if you stop, you go backwards.”

I couldn’t agree more.

Speaking of rowing upstream, the kayak is the ultimate upstream vessel. And here’s what I love about a kayak – it’s operated solely by one person’s effort. Only one person is responsible for setting the direction, putting the oars in the water, and only one person rows – YOU!

Like kayaking – personal growth is very much a solo endeavor. No one makes us expand our capacity and maximize our potential. Personal growth is a “silent” investment. Growth doesn't happen automatically; we must be intentional about growing.

Daily focusing on our personal development requires an exchange, the price paid is our discretionary time. But the moment something yields a return the price we pay immediately becomes an investment.

Two questions I like to ask leaders are, “What are you doing to develop yourself?”—this determines our long-term future. And, “What are you doing to develop others?” – this is all about multiplication and the compounding of our efforts.

So, the first person we must develop is ourselves because we cannot impart to others that which we do not have.

Join me on October 28th as I share with you essential & invaluable “Laws of Personal Growth”. If applied, the truths in this session promise to close the gap between where you currently ARE and where you COULD BE!

Then on October 29th at VAMACON20, I’m going to introduce you to a whole different type of boat! A bigger boat with several people and multiple oars!

As it relates to team engagement today, global research says that when considering the average 10-person team – three people are rowing with you. Five people have their oars across their lap and are simply watching the scenery as it goes by, and two people are drilling holes in the boat!

There are Five Levels of Leadership. The lowest level of leadership is Level One – this is all about “position”. It is at this level people follow you only because they have to in order to collect their paycheck. Level One leaders are motivated by the title and the “rights” that that the organization gives them. Level One is a great place to start but it’s a horrible place to stay.

Level Two moves from “rights” to “relationships”.

When people begin to follow you because they want to, they give you their “permission” to lead them. Making the shift from Position to Permission begins a person’s first real step into leadership.

When a leader learns to function on the Permission level, everything changes.

People do more than merely comply with the orders. They truly start to follow. And they do so because they really want to. Why? Because the leader begins to influence people with relationship, not just position.

During my session on “How to Be a R.E.A.L. Success” I am going to challenge us to explore the foundation to success – RELATIONSHIPS.

And before you put your oars away, we will hit the top of the waves on how Equipping, Attitude and Leadership all play a role in going from success to significance.

So, if learning, growing and relationships are a priority for you then I cannot wait to row upstream with you at VAMACON20!

 

Jason J. Stoughton, CAS, CHBC
Director, Leadership Advancement & Strategic Partnerships
The John Maxwell Co.