Leadership Mindset

In the past week, every time I turn on the news or open a paper, I am (re)assured that the economy is in peril! The roots of this economic downturn reach far down and it is clear that the branches affected by these unhealthy roots are far-reaching.

It is easy to get drawn in by the slippery slope of the economy and every day, more and more people and businesses are affected.

 How can you prevent the harsh reality of these challenging times from seeping into your skin? How can you continue to focus on growing a healthy business in these tough times?

 The answer isn’t a simple one. The answer doesn’t lay some instant “fix-it-right-now” reality.

 You can take steps to stay on track and focus on the here and now. You can make a commitment to your business and self and find solutions that deliver long-term results.

 You cannot get swept into worrying about how the times are affecting you. You cannot sit and wait for the other shoe to drop.

 Worrying about things that you cannot control binds you and limits you. Worrying about what is happening next can become a substitute for a solid action plan and can prevent you from taking the steps you need to take right here and now!

 Worry creeps into you and paralyzes you.

Paul J. Meyer writes in his article, “Making the Choice Not To Worry,” (Success Magazine, March 27, 2008):

 “More damage is done by worrying than by what is being worried about. This is because 90 percent of all worries never come to pass.

 Here are a few of the side effects of worrying:

Self-doubt – It is a downward spiral that focuses on the negative and why things cannot be done versus why things can be done. It is a sinkhole, a debilitating attitude, and a terrible habit.

Mediocrity – Capable people who worry are rendered incapable of accomplishing their intended goal. Worry makes you peck around on the ground like a chicken when you were intended to soar like an eagle.

Fright – People who worry are not being cautious or thinking things over; they are simply scared. Running scared is the enemy of success, peace, contentment, happiness, joy, and laughter.

No spark – The excitement is gone. Worry lets the air out of all you do, draining the fun and excitement from everything.

No creativity – The freedom to be creative is squelched by worry. You simply cannot excel to your full potential when worry controls your thoughts.

Improper shaping – You are molded and shaped by your thinking, and worries should not shape your future.

Hazy results – Those who worry are second-guessing themselves, which produces a hesitancy that brings with it an unclear focus. Such a hazy goal will produce a hazy result.

Bad habits – Worrying is a habit, the result of preconditioning and years of practice. The destructive habit of worrying turns people into prisoners.

Physical ailments – The body reacts adversely to internal worries. John Edmund Haggai insightfully stated, “A distraught mind inevitably leads to a deteriorated body.”

Wasted time – Over 90 percent of what you worry about never comes to pass. To worry is to waste time; therefore, the more you worry, the less you accomplish.

Make the decision for yourself to live life worry-free. It is not only possible, but it is also very enjoyable! “
 If you are interested in accelerating your company and its growth during these “worrisome” times, contact Kathleen Wood Partners, LLC at Kathleen@kwoodpartners.com

How Do You Become An Industry Leader?

I have been in the hospitality for over thirty years. At thirteen, I was bitten by the industry bug while bussing tables at John’s Pizza after school and on weekends and my love and respect for the hospitality industry has never wavered.

Many of the life lessons I learned while bussing tables through the Friday rush still hold true today and after I read this piece by Micheal Barrier about Wolfgang Puck in Success Magazine (May 5, 2008), I felt like I am not the only one who has found ingredients for success and strong leadership from within the hospitality industry.

For me, and maybe for you, I never forget those early days in my career and the lessons I learned there have given me a powerful tool to become a strong leader and life-long learner.

In the following article, culinary leader and chef-icon Wolfgang Puck really drives home five principles for success that can be applied to any industry.

“Before he became a household name with a multi-million dollar culinary empire, Wolfgang Puck was fledging chef with dreams of owning his own restaurant. Due in no small part to hard work and relentless dedication to the highest quality product, Puck polished a sterling brand identity and forged key business practices that can be applied to a variety of industries.

Learn from the legend on what it takes to be top chef, or boardroom chief, through his five principles for success.

1. Find the Best People, Create the Best Team. With his ever expanding empire, Puck can’t be everywhere at once. “We want to create a feeling, when people come to dinner, that if I’m there it’s a plus. But even if I’m not there it has to be a good experience.

2. Only Allow Room For Improvement. “We’ve tried to be good–and only go up from there. If we’d stayed at the same level 10 years ago, we might not have made a run at it. We added more expensive dishes and better ingredients and the restaurants thrived.”

3. Focus on Your Passion, But Find Your Balance. Puck still gets his greatest satisfaction from being in the kitchen. But that doesn’t mean he’s there 24/7. “I think being successful means having balance. Since last year, [I'm] really working on how I can get a more balanced life. Otherwise, in the end, you work for nothing.

4. Embrace the Ups and Downs. Becoming a highly sought after celebrity chef isn’t without its toils and frustration. “I learned more from the one restaurant that didn’t work than from all the ones that were successes.” When you view your losses objectively, you can avoid future pitfalls and channel motivation for further success.

5. Pay Your Dues. “Young people want to be famous before they know how to cook, before they know how to treat people, before they know what hospitality means.” Finding sustainable success means letting go of your sense of entitlement. When Puck came to the U.S., no one was knocking on his door with offers of running a five-star restaurant. It took long hours and serious dedication to acquire the skills and expertise needed to stay afloat in a very fickle industry. Take your lessons with gratitude and roll with the punches. It makes for one very appetizing success story”