Become a respected community leader
July 27, 2014
By Jerry Bellune
The communities we serve are not just cash cows.
We need to return part of what they give us.
Management guru Tom Peters has this to say:
“Community mindedness is a great way (the BEST way?)
to have a spirited/committed/customer-centric workforce
and, ultimately, increase profitability!”
He means, get everyone involved in service.
Years ago we sponsored a Christmas charity.
It brought hundreds together in a common effort.
We were helping single mothers with children.
Families in which the bread winner was out of work.
Those who had lost homes to fire or flood.
It was a magnificent effort. It gained us great respect.
Now we support adult literacy tutoring.
We want everyone to be able to read and write.
It is the way up for those on the bottom rungs.
We publish newspapers. We want everyone to read.
Remind others that you feel fortunate to be here.
That means clients, employees and friends.
They have been good to you and your business.
The community is fortunate to have us here, too.
We create jobs. Sponsor local causes.
Plow money back into the local economy.
Indifference to community concerns is a mistake.
Community leaders are involved with the community.
Part of leadership is anticipating problems.
Things will go wrong. Don’t take it personally.
Mistakes will be made. You will be blamed for them.
It doesn’t matter that you did not authorize or do it.
Your employees will make mistakes. Suck it up.
Admit mistakes were made and fix them.
Don’t beat yourself up. Nothing is as bad as it looks.
Recommended reading
My new book is “What It Costs to Be the Boss.”
It is all about leadership in business and in life.
It gives you a blueprint for successful leadership.
It shows you how to build loyalty and trust.
It shows how to retain your most valuable clients.
It shows how to foster innovation and productivity.
For a copy, email me at [email protected]
Next: Secrets of profitable marketing and sales.
© 2014 The Bellune Company, Inc.
Neither MidlandsBiz.com nor The Bellune Company, Inc. makes any warranty as to the results that may be achieved from using this information. Requests for permission to reprint or circulate may be obtained by emailing [email protected]
