Jerry Bellune February 4, 2014

Any idea what single asset will lead to your success?
What will give you a competitive advantage?
Will influence those you want to influence?
Will inspire those you seek to inspire?
It’s a simple three-syllable word: Leadership.
And “visionary leadership” is the best kind.

Remember what Christopher Columbus did?
The unknown continents he discovered?
There are lessons in leadership in his story.
More’s the pity, they don’t teach this in school.
Columbus was a smart, cunning explorer.
He was used to influencing sailors on shipboard.
But he ran into indifference to his Biggest Idea.
He believed the world was a sphere.
Many believed it was flat.
Sail west and you run off the edge of the earth.
Columbus thought this was bunk.
Sailing west promised a quicker route to the east.
Trade with the Orient was highly prized. Also costly.
Columbus needed money to finance a voyage.

Lesson #1: Go to those who can help you.
Columbus tried bankers and merchants.
They thought he was whacky. They only laughed.
Lesson #2: Don’t give up too quickly.
Columbus managed an audience at the Spanish court.
King Ferdinand didn’t have time to give him.
But Queen Isabella did. And she was all ears.
Columbus posed a ploy — “a cunning plan.”
He could turn Spain’s challenges to her advantage.
Lesson #3: Find out what your targets want.
Figure out how you can give it to them.
The royals needed money to finance their ideas.
Isabella and Ferdinand were devout Christians.
They needed money for hospitals and cathedrals.
Columbus convinced Isabella great riches.
A shorter route to the Orient would really pay off.
Isabella had her own influence.
She convinced Ferdinand to finance Columbus.
And look what happened.

Want to learn more leadership secrets?
Our “Visionary Leadership” seminar may be for you.
It will be March 28 at the West Metro Chamber.
Email me for a copy at [email protected]

Next: How to rally an embattled nation
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