What Inspires You to Be a Leader? (A personal story)

I was having an online chat with a new friend the other day. He wanted to know what I did professionally and I explained what I do as an Online Internet Entrepreneur.

I was totally candid and told him:

"I am building my business as an Internet Marketer, and in the process branding myself. I have made the choice to be openly gay, not to flaunt it, but it's there in things I do or if people find me on forums and places like Facebook, and so on."

There are so many people in need of leadership and I made the choice - and in a small way I had to take a risk - not to hide my true self. I need to be all that I am to be my greatest and most abundant, joyful self.

And that includes my identity as a gay man.

My friend went on to ask me,

"Internet marketer? Sorry for my ignorance but what does an Internet Marketer do? Does it mean you have a website you are promoting or someone who has one and hires you to promote their website?"

I explained that I work in the Direct Marketing industry and do so entirely online, promoting two different marketing systems depending on the target market. I offer a Top-Tier Direct Marketing Product called Carbon Copy Pro and I also teach Network Marketers how to build their business via attraction marketing, using a Personally branded, customizable, Lead-Generation & Attraction Marketing System.

My new friend took a look at my businesses and my profile on MySpace.

He later wrote me back to say,

"Darren, read your MySpace profile. I am so much struck by your honesty, which seems to be your trademark. You have a strong drive and passion in what you do, which I must add is a very Scorpion trait."

[OK - so he knows when my birthday is! :-)]

Now, I really love it when conversations go like this and new friendships develop. I feel great... the other person feels great!

I wrote back to say,

"I really appreciate your feedback - great to hear. I realized when I started what I'm now doing, that I would only do it by being completely genuine... part of that is my passion. It's the only way for me to be and I'm having fun doing it!"

I then asked my friend what line of work he was in. He wrote that he's an insurance broker but he likes to interact with people who can inspire him.

"I believe it was a Chinese philosopher that said you absorb the characteristics of what you are constantly exposed to. So if I hang out with losers I would start thinking like one. Conversely, if I always deal with successful people, I will become one. It has been my guiding principle especially when making friends."

And I couldn't agree more! To affirm what he said, I wrote,

"I think you'd agree with me when I say that it's not the job that makes the person... so if you like what you do or if what you do allows you to do other things you love... GREAT! I think what you are picking up from me is my passion for what I want to accomplish and maybe how I talk about it. As for this ancient philosopher, the modern language is, 'You get what you think about, most of the time.' But you already know all this."

"You nailed it!" And he continued, "Man you are good. Please continue sharing your 'light' with others."

And here's the interesting part... he didn't join my business... he's happy doing what he's doing. GREAT! But I have made a new friend and we both offered value to each other in the exchange. And for that I had to write back to express my gratitude:

"Well thanks! You see, I too need feedback like that. It's all about who is ready to hear this message or that message -10,000 other people are saying the same thing, but just the way I have said it works for you... cool!"

This experience was inspiration for me. I touched someone, I helped someone. The experience is always 2-sided. I learn and grow by teaching what I know and what I am learning. Gratitude from others is the inspiration that kindles the fire of my passions!

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Darren Stehle is the owner and creator of MLM Profits By Attraction. Darren is an online business and lifestyle coach. He specializes in both online and offline marketing for the MLM and network marketing industries. He actively promotes and teaches others the value and benefit of Attraction Marketing -- by offering value, training and service people will flock to you and your opportunity!