Something Leaders Do

Let's all go to page 16 in "MS Magnetic Sponsoring," by Mike Dillard.

About halfway down the page see this line: "They [leaders] respect themselves and their bodies, dressing with style, and living healthy lifestyles."

It's interesting that this bullet point is included in what Mr. Dillard describes as what "Alpha Networker(TM)s" are.  He says they are "...leaders....with common personality traits...."

I gave some thought to the idea of "personality traits" of leaders and realized that some of these traits can be adopted...and that there are very sound reasons to do so.

A leader dresses with style. Why? A true-ism in the world of human interaction is that we all will judge a person within the first few seconds of interaction.  If it's a visual interaction [not talking about phone interactions here], part of our instant appraisal will be how the person is dressed.  Clothing is like a business card that is worn as a covering.  That first look - with it's instantaneous judgement - happens before we ever can utter a word.  Once that visual judgement has been made, it will either take our words to change it, or our words will confirm it.

Case in point: as a businesswoman, if I were to approach a potential business venture partner wearing fishnet stockings, shocking pink teeshirt, dice earrings and a short-black leather skirt...well, I'd have to talk myself hoarse to get my message of business across...already I've given the viewer a "business card" of "don't take me seriously, I'm already distracting you away from anything I've got to say of a business nature."

If, on the other hand, I approach a potential business venture partner wearing my navy pantsuit with conservative shoes, tasteful jewelry and accent it with my feminine, yet business-styled briefcase, my business card view is already set to: let's talk business.  Nothing in my attire has to be un-done by my verbal message.  Also, by choosing clothing that is as stylish and "nice" as I can afford, I'm showing respect to my business and myself.  As my business grows, as my income grows, so too will my "business card" wardrobe.

What about the part of Mike Dillard's bullet point that says, "...and living healthy lifestyles?" What does this have to do with being a leader?

I recently had just such a conversation with a businessman who is an upper management person with a respected consulting firm in Sacramento, CA.  We were talking about the importance of maximizing your health so that you can be more effective in your work.  Think about it: a person who is tired, not sleeping well, feeling rundown - this person's thought processes will be sluggish; he will have difficulty thinking intuitively and creatively.  A person whose body is out of condition, who does not take in enough vitamins and other nutrients will lack stamina and be unable to keep up, literally.

Many small business people claim they want to succeed...they want healthy businesses and want to generate wealth.  One of the factors to the achievement of these goals and desires is the ability to think clearly, intuit, create, problem-solve and have the stamina necessary to work effectively...and the human mind and body can only do it if given the proper fuel, nutritients and rest, relaxation and exercise. 

Mr. Dillard's bullet point just following is: "They do what the majority is unwilling to."  Leaders take the time to eat properly, maintain their health and mental acuity and dress respecting both themselves and their constintuencies.

Linda

http://directmatches.com/profiles/linbusiness