Lead Where You Are Planted

Another interesting newsletter from Robin Sharma...

Hi Amol,

Our future success will depend on how we respond to the new opportunities that the turbulent world presents. The playing field is wide open for WOW. The former ground rules are gone. And the leaders who are playing to win know it. We can now use their Smartphones to deposit checks using photos. Consumers can pay for products at Apple stores via "floating" checkout clerks. Ford drivers just "say the word" to activate a menu of sophisticated features on their in-car system. Today leadership is about impact. Imagination. Innovation. It's about a commitment to influence.

People want enriching experiences. They want their lives revolutionized through innovation and creativity. People want remarkable. They crave connection. Delivering to the people is no longer reserved for those in the corner office. The old exclusive world having only two clubs - giver and receiver of orders - has been rebooted. The reboot has created a new opening - Leading Without a Title. Success,keeping the game in your hands, is knowing how to Lead Where You Are Planted.

Five Actionable Insights to help you Lead Where You Are Planted:

1. Personal Philanthropy

Winning in life today depends on the value you contribute. Bureaucracy is no longer the decision maker on what you contribute, or when, or to whom you make that contribution. The size of your paycheck isn't the dictator either. Today it's your call. You have free license to be a philanthropist of your personal gifts. You can add value at any opportunity by applying your talents: your ingenuity, mastery, and imagination. The new world has given you the green light to give your greatness.

2. Don't Accept the Death Sentence

Many people will decide that leadership is not for them. They are more comfortable following than leading. That's just fine. But remember what others do is not necessarily for you. Those that resist greatness will try to hold you back. Don't let anyone tell you taking a leadership role is bigger than your position. Don't let anyone set the limits on your life. Get yourself around believers and other leaders: the commanders of cutting-edge and the non-conformists. Talk with the risk takers. Refuse to accept the death sentence of cynicism.

3. Get out of your League

You were not born for smallness. Your life did not come with a pre-set ceiling of success. Sometimes people fall into and stay in a certain league. Going beyond the wins of yesterday doesn't seem possible. Going beyond previous levels of achievements doesn't occur to them. Get out of your league. No one is keeping you there. Go beyond yourself. Your habits. Your standards. Challenge your limiting beliefs. Challenge your personal status quo. Find a way to do more today than you did yesterday.

4. Compose your Leadership MO

We cannot be all things to all people. We want our influence to be potent. To make a powerful impact we must first understand our influence and then act on it. Are you the symphony conductor or the musical genius on the piano? Are you the solutions guy or the innovative magician? Are you the song writer or the singer? Compose your leadership MO and act on it daily.

5. Refuse the Dead End System of Status Quo

I have yet to see mediocrity lead to magnificence. There is only so far you can go with the status quo. Yet so many people get seduced by this dead end system. Unknowingly they've subscribed to the belief I don't have a title therefore I cannot make a difference.

We've all got a choice to make. We can either continue to buy into the status quo or set it on fire. To Lead Where You are Planted you must get off that burning ship. Stand up for your opportunity for awesome - it's your birthright.

Keep Leading Without a Title,

Robin