Why Emotions + Business Decisions = Trouble (or: Your Responsibility As A Leader)
What is your responsibility as a leader, do you know?
I will address that in a moment, but let's first talk briefly about what they are not: *** You are NOT responsible for your team's production, or lack thereof.*** You are NOT responsible for your team's event attendance, or lack thereof.*** You are NOT responsible for your team's conference call attendance, or lack thereof.*** You are NOT responsible for your team being on auto shipment, or lack thereof. None of that. I don't know about you, but personally, I didn't get that at first. I really struggled emotionally and mentally because I was carrying the weight of my entire team on my shoulders. And that was a heavy load to carry! I was so set on my team members becoming successful and reaching their goals...every single one of them. In fact I wanted it even more for them than they wanted it for themselves! So when they weren't getting results, or not getting them as quickly as they (or I) would like them to, it really drained me emotionally. I had obviously made a commission on my new distributors when they came into the business and so I felt that I "owed" it to them, that I owed them a return on their investment. I felt that I owed them success. But fortunately, with time, I learned that this is no way to run a business. I learned that you can't run a business on emotions. It was a hard lesson to learn. But when it finally sank in, boy did I feel relieved! I understood that it really wasn't up to me whether my downline was going to be successful or not. That if they didn't plug into the training it wasn't my responsibility. That if they didn't take my advice, there was nothing I could do about it. And that if they quit, it wasn't my fault. See, as a leader you can motivate, you can cajole, you can push -- you can analyze, you can sweet-talk... You can do a lot of things to try to get your reps to take action, but you know what? Ultimately, it's not up to you. Fact is you can do all of the above and still find that it didn't make ANY difference.... (I'm speaking from painfully gained personal experience here.) And when that happens, you can blame yourself and put nonsensical thoughts into your head like, "I must not be a good leader or my team would be getting results." Not good... Because it's NOT your responsibility to make things happen for your team members! They are responsible for their own success. And your responsibility...? Well, it's to lead by example. That's it. Because the only person you can have full control over is -- of course -- YOURSELF. You can't bend wills. You can't twist arms. You can't make people stay faithful to their word. You can't breathe life back into dying dreams. You're only human! And keep this in mind, too -- There are always going to be people who quit. It's just the way it is with anything in life, really... Not every single person is going to follow thru with every single task they set out to do... So simply do your part...which is to lead by example. And let your non-productive distributors worry about themselves. They probably aren't even all that "worried" -- or they would be coming to you, asking for your advice...don't you think? Be there for them when/if they come. Other than that there's really only one thing you need to be concerned about: Being the leader. Do that, and the RIGHT people will follow... *************************************** For more on how to build a successful network marketing business online, go to NewCoffeeHouseLetter.com and grab your FREE copy of the 'insider report' Mike Dillard wrote that helped take me from MLM 'flop' to profitable business owner in just a matter of months.
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About the Author: Lena Bjorna
Member Since: 01/02/2008
Company: True Freedom Enterprises LLC
Industry: Business Opportunities
Primary Web Site: http://HerSuccessBluePrint.com/welcome
Twitter: Lena_Bjorna


Good post
I like your blog.
But as i quoted in my forum thread..
leader ship qualities-
1.Unwavering courage
2.Self Control
3.A keen sense of justice
4.Definiteness of decision
5.Defiiteness of plans
6.The habit of doing more than paid for
7.A pleasing personality
8.Sympathy and understanding
9.Mastery of detail
10.Willing to assume full responsibilty(Not You)
11.Cooperation(Not you)
On the same page...
Sure...I don't disagree...but that is ALL part of leading by example -- all your points, # 1-11. As for #10 on your list, yes -- assume full responsibility for yourself, absolutely, but you cannot assume "full" responsibility for others and their results...they are responsible for themselves.
Couldn't agree more...
Lena,
You're absolutely right, especially the part about not becoming emotional. As my current mentor is so fond of saying: "When emotion goes up, intelligence goes down." Your comments are an important lesson to learn.
hmmm
I realize a lot of this is from "painfully gained personal experience" but I have to disagree. Yes of course, "you can bring a horse to water, but you can't make him drink"
You can do EVERYTHING in your power and yes ultimately it is up to a person to decide their fate.
And yes I agree emotions and business do not mix.
Here is where we disagree. I beleive that it should be a mixture of both. Carry the weight of the team on your sholders but do not attach that weight. Carry it every now and then to remind yourself how heavy that load is, or how light it has become, and get a feel for it. I am not saying that in this article you suggest that neglect is the answer but in a way maybe your painful experiences have made you see neglect differently.
of course this is my opinion and I love your blog