Leadership and Business Growth

Leadership is Elusive.

It’s a lifelong pursuit.

Just when you think you have it, you realize you don’t.

Just when you think it’s impossible, you realize it’s attainable. 

The truth is this:

Sometimes you are ahead.

Sometimes you’re behind.

The race is long.

However, no matter where you are in the moment on your leadership journey. 

Continuing to acquire leadership skills is a worthwhile pursuit.

At the very least, to be a leader of self which humanity needs right now and always will.

So keep your head up, and keep going.

People are counting on you.

Onward!

In German, the translation of the word “Leadership” has a negative connotation. 

This is different than here in the US where the word is typically looked on fondly.

I learned that last week when I interviewed my friends Dr. Dirk and Dr. Petra Frese on my CEO Show Podcast, who grew up on other sides of the Berlin Wall in West & East Germany in the 1960s.

Why does it have a negative connotation?

A man named Adolf Hitler.

Yes, he was a world-class leader.

It’s strange to hear him described that way, but it’s the truth.

Albeit, he was pure evil which is the 2nd truth. 

As such, he used this powerful tool of “leadership” to negatively influence the hearts & minds of the Germans in the 30’s and 40’s to murder millions of innocent people.

So my leadership lesson today is one of perspective.

Leadership is a tool, like money or energy.

With a positive direction, they can build beautiful things.

With a negative direction, they cause destruction. 

It’s the energy we put behind the tool that gives it meaning.

Today I share with you the reminder that Leadership is a powerful tool of influence.

I teach it because of the power.

However, my intent, like yours, is to use for the good.

Do so accordingly.

Onward.

I’ve found that the best leaders not only build a foundation for themselves and their team. 

But they focus on paying it forward by building something that lasts far past their leadership. 

In other words, strong leadership requires leaving a legacy.

I learned this leadership truth from the great John Maxwell.

This requires casting a vision, creating a foundation that can scale, and then finding a replacement that can continue the journey even better than the founder.

Applying it to an example that just happened within my leadership pursuits. 

After nearly 11 years of operating our Mission Viejo Fit Body location, Tatiana and I did just that by passing the torch to our new owner Melissa. 

For full insight into the leadership lesson, click here.

PS This is true in parenting which is a sizable leadership role.

I’ve found that the best leaders not only build a foundation for themselves and their team. 

But they focus on paying it forward by building something that lasts far past their leadership. 

In other words, strong leadership requires leaving a legacy.

I learned this leadership truth from the great John Maxwell.

This requires casting a vision, creating a foundation that can scale, and then finding a replacement that can continue the journey even better than the founder.

Applying it to an example that just happened within my leadership pursuits. 

After nearly 11 years of operating our Mission Viejo Fit Body location, Tatiana and I did just that by passing the torch to our new owner Melissa. 

For full insight into the leadership lesson, click here.

PS This is true in parenting which is a sizable leadership role. 

Change is the only constant in life.

We know this to be true, but human nature still resists. 

Well, let’s prepare ourselves.

More change is coming. 

The US will elect a new president today.

And it’s no secret to anyone that the last 4 years have been tough in many ways that have affected our ability to support our Franchise Partners, coaches, and brand.

We have seen government overspending in record-breaking proportions (otherwise known as inflation), rising interest rates, global conflict, a lack of homeland security, and the list goes on.

I hope for positive change that will create better tailwinds for us, our country, and humanity.

Ultimately though, that’s not totally up to me.

However, what is up to me is how I respond, not react to whatever the new changes bring.

And this my friend is my message today.

Dont’ resist the change.

Instead, prepare for it, embrace and drive it in whatever way it comes. 

After all, leadership is about directing change so get ready.

Last week for our final Mastermind Retreat of 2024, Barrett asked me to present on the deficiencies in my leadership and the action I take to improve. 

Being I’ve known him for 39 years, he knows all the good, the bad, and the ugly.

As I put together my talk, I was reminded of a dichotomy of leadership.

Leadership requires both confidence and humility.

It requires confidence to charge forward in the face of resistance.

And yes, you will face lots of resistance. 

Why?

Human nature resists change and leadership requires directing change.

There’s conflict in the infrastructure of the role. 

Specific to the dichotomy and the other side of the coin.

Leadership requires humility.

Humility is the quality that shows you that there’s plenty of opportunity to improve.

So one 1 hand.

You must know you are awesome (confidence).

On the other hand.

You must know you are not that awesome yet (humility).

This is a dichotomy of leadership and why it’s so hard, yet valuable.

There is alot to leadership.

However, much of it revolves around 2 basic things.

People and Problems.

If you can solve problems that involve people.

Guess what?

You are a leader.

When you break that down.

The level of complexity of people’s problems you can solve dictates how effective a leader you are.

The more effective leader you are..

The more income, impact, and legacy you will create.

This is the value of leadership.

As a leader of self, you will create a strong life.

As a leader of followers, you will create a big impact.

As a leader of leaders, you will impact the world. 

Given this framework, I was recently asked how to become a leader of leaders in a coaching call. 

Well, leveling up your leadership is a lifelong pursuit was my first answer.

Big things take time.

The 2nd reply is to identify 3 people you admire.

Then create a list of the characteristics of these people.

Then begin to build those characteristics in yourself line by line.

After all, leadership is an inside game.

Just keep in mind, big things take time so keep going!

When you break it down, leadership is about ownership.

Simply put, the buck stops with you.

Whether you are the CEO of an International Fitness Brand or the CEO of your life.

You are responsible for your success.

No one else.

After all, as a leader, the buck stops with you.

Yes, that’s heavy but equally liberating.

Onward.

On a recent podcast of ours, Bedros asked me 5 leadership questions.  In the spirit of serving you, I thought it would be of value to break each question and answer down in the next 5 weeks!

Here is the 5th week’s question and answer.

5.) What do you wish you had started doing earlier in your journey of delegating and scaling your business?

Here are some actions I took and/or should have taken quicker. 

Please note that not all will apply to your situation. However, please review and create an idea list of how you can better your leadership, delegation, and execution. 

• I should have hired an assistant quicker, screenflowed my work, and begun delegating tasks quicker. 
• It took me 1 year to hire an admin.
• It took 4 years to hire a personal assistant Emma who was heaven-sent!
• In hindsight, I was just scared of the unknown or how to lead/manage people.  
• The good news is that delegating is like a muscle, you get stronger with more reps, sets, and time.