2 words of elite leaders

From Chapter 1: “Here”

The best leaders know how to give those who follow them what they need.

They know how to make them feel that they matter and belong.

When leaders meet these two needs for their followers,

they will form a faithful and dedicated team.

I don’t plan to spend a ton of time on how not to lead.

Instead, we’ll focus on how to lead in a way that sets you apart.

Right up front, you need to know that the biggest hurdle

for any leader is to realize one thing:

It’s not about you as much as it’s about them.

Sure, you can be a leader like George Patton, the war hero,

and run roughshod over those that have been entrusted to you.

You’ll accomplish some great things,

but few people will like you and/or be inspired by you.

They’ll follow out of fear instead of dedication to you or the task.

They’ll do as they’re told, but rarely because they want to.

You’ll lead like a lion, with a long list of people

who view you as a bull in a china shop.

You won’t bring out the best in them.

My goal in these pages is to help you develop an understanding

of how to accomplish a goal with a group of people

in a way that values them, not uses them.

To accomplish this goal, you first need to be able to honestly assess

your ability to lead, as well as look at your personality.

Like growth in any area of your life,

staring the truth right in the eyes is the place to start.

That’s why this chapter is called “Here.”

We’re here on one side of a river with much to learn.

Our main objective will be to understand what people actually want,

which brings us to the idea of “matter and belong.”

They are two words that carry very deep and profound meaning

for every human being.

If your team, followers, or other group you are

leading is feeling these two things, your leadership of them

will be exponentially more effective and their dedication to

you enduring.

At the end of the day, your relationships with

them are what matters equally, if not more, than simply

winning or accomplishing goals with them.

I’m not suggesting you should be a leader who really

knows and values your followers but consistently leads them

to failure. That kind of leader won’t last long.