The KEYS To Effective Leadership

Wouldn't it make finding quality leaders, far easier, if there were certain basic ways, to identify, qualify, and relevantly train them, in order to ensure, we elected, selected, etc, the best people, to serve, in specific positions of leadership? After more than 4 decades of involvement, in nearly every relevant component of doing so, I believe, although, there is no, one - way, of doing so, in a quality manner, there are certain KEYS to producing and implementing the most effective leadership. With that in mind, this article will attempt to review, consider, and briefly discuss, using the mnemonic approach, some of these important principles, etc.

1. Knowledge; keeps: Obviously, leading effectively requires certain relevant knowledge! However, until/ unless one not only accumulates this, but proceeds forward, effectively, and in a timely, well - considered manner, to create and implement the best strategic plan, in order to introduce, and implement the finest possible, action plan, he still is not leading! This means, one must be capable of differentiating between irrelevant information, and what he needs to keep, maintain, and pay attention to!

2. Empathy; emphasis; energize; excellence; endurance: One must commit to consistently listening effectively, and learning from every conversation and experience, in order to proceed with the utmost degree of genuine empathy. This will/ should lead him, to knowing, where to place his emphasis, so it energizes his organization, and stakeholders. It requires a commitment to demanding the utmost degree of personal excellence, rather than settling for good - enough, while proceeding forward, with the necessary degree of endurance, to persist, when others give up!

3. You; your: Will you be ready, willing, and able, to assume, and accept personal responsibility, and make this your pledge? In other words, quality leaders recognize, and realize, It's up to you!

4. Service; system; sustainable solutions: Genuine leaders understand, leading requires a consistent commitment, and priority, to the utmost degree of service, to his group, and stakeholders! It requires proceeding with a well - considered, system, and avoiding band - aid approaches, in order to consider, create, and implement relevant, sustainable solutions.

Effective leadership requires training, commitment, a positive attitude, and a high degree of persistence! Are you ready for these responsibilities? 

4 Needed Reserves, For Less Stressful Home Ownership

The better prepared, and ready, a homeowner, the less stressful, and more satisfying, the experience of home ownership, becomes. In order to prepare, one must recognize, and consider, and examine, 4 needed financial reserves, in order, to avoid unnecessary stresses, etc. While these aren't the only challenges, they are the most common, and, thus, creating these reserves, and committing to all the necessities, and discipline, the happier, and easier the overall experience. Here are a few of the approaches, and possibilities.

1. Monthly costs/ predictable: The predictable costs of home ownership, are those, you are fully aware of, from the onset! The wise homeowner, creates a reserve, of from 4 to 8 months, so, as to be prepared, for any negative contingencies, etc. These costs include the mortgage principal, and interest, escrow for real estate taxes, insurance, etc. Remember, while the principal and interest, might remain the same, real estate taxes often increase, annually, as do insurance premiums, etc. In addition, there is often, insufficient funding of the escrow, and it is recalculated, after the first year, or so.

2. Repairs/ unexpected and unanticipated: Along with owning a house, comes those unexpected, but necessary repairs! While some of these might be minor, the ever - increasing costs of hiring a plumber, electrician, roofer, etc, makes being prepared, a wise move. Funding this reserve, with an additional 6 months, or so, of reserves, is a wise approach, although requires commitment and discipline!

3. Maintenance - regular: Performing regularly scheduled maintenance, often, minimizes, further exposure, caused by being inattentive, or unprepared! Consider the possibilities, which includes seasonal maintenance, fixing minor issues (before they become major, etc), is a smart approach, but how one pays for these, is a necessary consideration!

4. Renovations - future needs, updating/ upgrading: When we first, purchase a home, of our own, our needs, may be somewhat different than they become, in the future! While, unlike the first three scenarios, can and should not, be delayed or put off, we can delay renovations, but, to enjoy, fully, where we live, we often need, to renovate and update/ upgrade. Only by planning, and disciplining ourselves, to have reserves, etc, will this be achieved, without undue stress!

The better prepared one is, the happier the home ownership, experience! Will you discipline yourself, so you are your own, best friend?

The 3 C's Of Protecting Our Environment

America, and, thus, the rest of the world, is at a crossroads, because of many current situations, but, perhaps, the one, which most threatens and endangers, the future of our planet, is the battle, going on, between short - sighted, focus on either greed, or short - term economic impacts, and protecting the environment, and stemming, some of the negative possibilities, and ramifications, of climate change. President Donald Trump, unlike most of his predecessors, in recent times, as well as a significant portion of the rest of the world, appears to believe, and thus, denies, there is climate change. He has withdrawn the United States, from the Paris Accords, and his Environmental Protection Administration, or EPA, has reversed, many of the measures, and attempts, to reduce the negative impacts, etc. With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly discuss, what I am calling, the 3 C's, of protecting our environment, before we destroy the sustainability of our planet, for future generations.

1. Clean Air: Over the past few decades, many restrictions, and legislation/ laws, have been enacted, and enforced, to reduce pollution, and clean our air! In fact, the level of smog, in many bigger cities, has been reduced, significantly, by restricting carbon emissions, etc. However, we have already witnessed, this administration, attempting to reverse, many of these attempts, and, we must consider, the dangerous ramifications, of this neglect! Simply denying, there are risks and issues, do not eliminate them!

2. Clean Water: We have witnessed, many so - called, 3rd World nations, hurt their citizens, by failing to provide clean water. Even in this nation, the situation, which occurred, in Flint, Michigan, point to the need, to pay far keener attention, to these risks, and the need, for greater, not less attention and focus! However, it is extremely concerning, that this administration, rather than taking the measures, in the best direction, has loosened restrictions on dumping, into the water supplies, etc. The environment should not be a political issue, but, unfortunately, has become one!

3. Car mileage standards: President Jimmy Carter was probably, the first President, to face the needs, for creating car mileage standards, in order to limit risks, etc, as well as positioning us, for a better, sustainable America! He created far - reaching, mileage goals, but the next President, Ronald Reagan, froze them, at the levels, when he took office, rather than expanding them, as originally planned. However, the current administration, has gone, even further, seeming to stress fossil fuels, over more sustainable alternatives.

Wake up, America, because, either you face reality, and protect the environment, or risk the health, and safety, etc, of future generations! Will you demand better?

Are You A REAL Leader?

How does one become a REAL leader, rather than merely, another, of the rest - of - the - pack? Why does this matter, and how does it impact, the group, one represents, and the stakeholders, he serves? While there are many factors, and some, must be somewhat, customized, based on the individual, there are certain necessities, in order to be elevated, into this rare, lofty position, etc! With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly consider, review and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, some of these characteristics, and necessities, of being capable, of making a true difference, for the better, rather than merely holding some position of leadership.

1. Rational; realistic; reasoning; relevant: While lofty goals, and pursing as many viable options and alternatives, is important, nothing positive can occur, unless a leader, exhibits the utmost degree of rational thought, and development. He must be realistic, while pursuing options and alternatives, and seeking better! One's reasoning must be relevant, or why would others become willing to listen, and buy - into his ideas, plans, and potential solutions?

2. Empathy; excellence; emphasis; endurance; evolving: Either groups are consistently, evolving, or they will fail, to be sustainable! However, no one has all the answers, or even all the questions, and therefore, it's important to emphasize effective listening, over talking, and commit to learning from every conversation and experience. One's goal must be the utmost degree and possibility of his personal excellence, rather than settling for good - enough! This must direct his emphasis, and focus, and he must exhibit a significant degree of endurance, in order to possess the necessary persistence, to implement meaningful changes!

3. Attitude; attention; aptitude; articulate: Real leaders possess a genuine, positive, can - do, attitude, and are willing to pay keen attention, to both, relevant needs, and sustainable ramifications, etc! When they also commit to developing the quality aptitude, and relevant skill - set, and articulate an inspiring, motivating message, which connects with their stakeholders (actual and potential), they become positioned, to be real leaders!

4. Listen; learn; leadership: Perhaps, more than any other single asset, a real leader must be an effective and willing listener, and commit to constantly, learn, and become the best, he can be! When he exhibits true leadership skills, based on the best interests of the organization, and constituents, he proceeds, with the potential to become a real leader!

Do you have, what it takes, to be a REAL leader? Do you have the combination of attitude, aptitude, and persistence, to be, different from, the rest - of - the - pack?

Why Quality Leaders Seek To ACHIEVE?

Although, many, are either elected, selected, or ascend to some position of leadership, only a very small percentage of these individuals, ever become true, quality leaders! There are many significant differences, but, until/ unless, an individual emphasizes results, and seeks to ACHIEVE, whatever is the best interests, of the organization, and constituents, he serves and represents, there is no possibility of ever becoming a quality leader! With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly, consider, review, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, what this means and represents, and why it makes such a significant difference.

1. Attention; attitude; aptitude: What someone focuses on, and pays keen attention to, generally has a significant impact, on his overall success and impact! One must proceed, consistently, with a positive, can - do, attitude, combined with a well - developed, skill - set, and aptitude, to perform, as a true leader, should, and must!

2. Character; clarity; creative; choices: The measure of a true leader's character, is how he behaves, whether others are looking, or not! His message must be articulated, with the utmost degree of clarity, in order to motivate and inspire others, to buy - into, his ideas! When this is done, in a creative way, rather than merely the ordinary, same - old, same - old, he positions himself, to make the best choices, and select the finest options and alternatives!

3. Healing; head/ heart: One is not a real leader, unless his priority is healing, and unifying, rather than polarizing, and dividing! To do so, there must be an effort to consider, both, the emotional, as well as emotional components, in a head/ heart balance!

4. Integrity; imagination; ideas: You can't choose, when you will exhibit integrity, and when to avoid, because it may be inconvenient! One must proceed with absolute integrity, combined with a well - developed, fully considered, imagination, and the foresight, to look at both the relevant, immediate needs, as well as sustainable ramifications, and solutions! Measure the quality of your ideas, by whether they make a true difference, for the better!

5. Empathy; emphasis: Leading must never be, about one's personal/ political agenda, and/ or self - interest, but rather, based on effectively listening, and learning, from every conversation and experience, proceeding with genuine empathy, and placing his emphasis, accordingly.

6. Vital, vibrant vision: A real leader must expand the limits of his self - imposed comfort zone, and proceed forward, when others give up, because he is motivated by a relevant, meaningful, vital, vibrant vision!

7. Excellence; endurance: How can anyone achieve in a quality manner, unless he demands his utmost, personal excellence? Only when this is combined with the endurance to persist, and overcome obstacles, and seek the best solutions, will he ever, make a difference, and/ or change, for the better!

Will you do, everything possible, to seek, to ACHIEVE? Are you the right person, to be a leader?

What Are Your Housing NEEDS?

When most people, go, house - hunting, and seek, a home, of their own, they proceed, considering their emotional needs, rather than what their actual NEEDS, might be! Since, for most of us, our house, represents the single - biggest, financial asset, wouldn't it make sense, if we proceeded, in the smartest possible manner, and made wise decisions, rather than, merely, emotional ones? In my, over a decade, as a Real Estate Licensed Salesperson, in the State of New York, I have witnessed, how, many home buyers, are, either, not ready, or unwilling to focus on whether a house, will serve their needs, and priorities, and, rather, become overly attached, or detached, because of some cosmetic, or emotional factor. With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly, review, consider, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, some factors, which wise homeowners, might benefit, by paying far more attention to, and emphasizing.

1. Neighborhood; need: If you don't like the neighborhood, you will probably, never enjoy living somewhere.Wise homeowners walk the area, look around, informally chat with some neighbors, and discover, whether it's a good fit, for them! Does it have what you need, and seek, or, in other words, is there potential?

2. Emphasis: What is your emphasis, and does it serve your best interests? Are you focusing on cosmetic, easily addressed areas, or do you focus on what is most meaningful, and relevant? Don't become overly influenced, by, color schemes, staging, carpets, etc, but, rather, look at the so - called, bones of the home! Become an educated home buyer, rather than merely, an emotional one!

3. Energy: Have the major systems of the house, professionally examined, because these are often, the costly areas, which will have the greatest longer - term impacts (negative or positive)! Is the heating system, modern and efficient, with a better, than average, energy - rating? How expensive are the average heat, electric, etc, monthly bills?

4. Delve deeply: Avoid emotional decisions, either an attachment, or turn - off, until you delve deeply, and discover, what is going on, and whether something is a major issue, or a minor one! Look closely at relevant, construction issues, and pursue the best courses of action, to proceed, with! Consider, whether you are delving deeply, into the best approaches and possibilities, and act wisely!

5. Systems: Have all major systems, closely examined, and considered, in order to discover, both, strengths and weaknesses? Are there any issues, which need addressing, in terms of heating, cooling. roofing, water - proofing, insulation, floors, water system, etc? The more you know, the wiser you can proceed!

Know your housing NEEDS! Prioritize major issues, rather than focusing on minor, and/ or emotional ones!

Why We Need Public Leaders, Worthy Of Our TRUST?

Among, the most concerning aspects, of the numerous challenges, we face, both, domestically, and internationally, is, apparently, there are so many Americans, who merely follow, someone, based on empty promises, rhetoric and vitriol, personality and/ or celebrity, or an unwillingness, to thoroughly examine positions and possibilities, and/ or proceeding, in an apathetic manner! Most observers believe, the present period, is, perhaps, one of the most challenging, especially, in recent memory, because, rather than our leaders, articulating a cooperative message, based on unification, and the common good, based on emphasizing, a polarizing message, focused on serving their core supporters, and/ or personal/ political agenda, and/ or self - interest! Now, perhaps more than ever, we need public leaders, worthy of our TRUST. With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly, consider, identify, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, what this means, and represents, and why, it matters.

1. Timely: Donald Trump, successfully, ran a campaign for President, in 2016, based on a central message, Make America Great Again. If we look at that slogan, we should recognize, it represents, a philosophy, stating, this nation, is no longer great, and needs, to go, back to the past! Only when our public officials, seek timely, well - considered solutions, will this nation benefit, and become, the best, it might possibly be!

2. Relevant; responsive; realistic: What good is achieved, until/ unless, the leadership focuses on relevant needs, and attempts to be responsive to realistic priorities, rather than any personal/ political agenda? We need, to come together, for the common good, and remain true, to the freedoms, liberties, rights, and Constitutional requirements, represented by the Constitution, and Bill of Rights, as well as evolving needs, goals, and priorities, for all, not only when we support, or benefit, from any specific one!

3. Useful; usable: Rhetoric, vitriol, empty promises, misstatements, lies, distortions, etc, are never useful, in making the nation, serve all the people! We have witnessed, President Trump, reportedly, average about 6 lies, per day, and how is that usable, or worthwhile?

4. Service; system; sustainable solutions: Our leaders must prioritize service, to nation, and all the citizens, not just their supporters, or those who agree with them! They can't, merely, proceed, without effective planning, but rather, ones, with a well - considered, system, to seek, sustainable solutions, for the common good!

5. Truthful; tells: Demand officials, proceed, in a truthful way, and tell, how they will transform challenges, towards a relevant, sustainable solution!

Wouldn't it be better, if we had public officials, worthy of our TRUST? Wake up, America, and demand better representation, if you hope, to have a nation, to be proud of!