The Best of the Best
August 10th, 2008 Posted in Leadership, Life, NewsletterI had the opportunity this past week to speak to the Atlanta Falcons football team (they all read The Energy Bus) and Fisher Investments (regarded by many as having the best sales team in the financial industry). As I prepared for these talks I thought a lot about what I should say that would benefit them. After all, I would be talking to people who have reached the pinnacle of their industry. What could I say that they haven’t heard before?
I realized that there was nothing new I could say. They have heard it all. We all have. But what I could do was say it in a way that would inspire them towards positive action. My job was to help the best of the best get even better. This inspired a series of thoughts about what makes someone great in their field of work. I realized the best of the best, whether you are a sales person, teacher, athlete, nurse, entrepreneur, etc, share a number of similar characteristics. Here are three. I hope they inspire you to be your best.
1. The best are always striving to get better. When I was speaking in Dallas in June, Zig Ziglar was in the front row and to my surprise he was taking notes. Wow, I thought. Here was one of my heroes, eighty years old, and he’s still learning and growing. Any speaker could have been up there and Zig would have had his note pad and pen ready. How about you? Are you striving to get better? Are you a life long learner?
2. The best do ordinary things better than everyone else. (Chuck Noll). There really isn’t anything new when it comes to success principles. It’s not about doing anything different. It’s about closing the gap that is bigger than the Grand Canyon-the gap between knowing and doing. The best take action. They execute and excel in the small things that create big results. They know that to be the best you must do a hundred simple things 10% better than everyone else.
3. The best stay positive. Every individual and team faces negativity and challenges but the best rebound with positive energy, resilience, hope and faith. The best stay positive and don’t let adversities and obstacles sabotage their individual and team success. The best don’t let naysayers and energy vampires keep them from their goal. The best teams get on the bus together, stay positive and move forward with a shared vision, focus and direction.
Stay Positive!
-Jon
www.JonGordon.com
6 Responses to “The Best of the Best”
By John Wakefield on Aug 11, 2008
I’m in the education business. I just witnessed 600 public school 9th grade students come in on their own time for a preview and energy session before 9th grade starts at Orange Park High.
I have to admit I was one who thought this would be difficult to accomplish for any number of reasons, but the energetic young team that made it happen just would not give up!
Students, teachers and school administrators worked together in the summer to create an outstanding two day program that just was the talk of the town! You should meet these positive people!
By Erick on Aug 11, 2008
The best are reveal the best in others. While many seems easy to judge people, the best always easy to look at people’s strength. They look deeper in people’s heart to view what their need, what their past experience, what their inferior about, and do the best to bring the best in others. They see the wonderful candle in people’s heart and help them light it up.
The best are having fun with their activity. Whatever they do in any circumstances, whether picking the laundry, cleaning the house, fixing the roof, healing sickness, or leading a huge project, they always seems joyful and enjoy their activity. They bring fun and happiness in their activity that are contagious and create a magical atmosphere in their team.
By Nick on Aug 12, 2008
One idea I have seen promoted a lot, but just as often confused, is that of setting goals. If you want to make something happen, you have to make it a goal and act (key) towards making it happen. However, I see a lot of people setting the wrong goals. People often set a goal as a particular thing they want to happen, like get a raise. However a better course would be to set the goal of making more money, in a role in which you are appreciated and respected. The attraction of the first goal is that there are well established steps to getting a raise, and if one does those steps there is a reasonable chance that you will succeed. Even worse, yet even more attractive, is when (lazy) people set the goal of something happening which is beyond their control, like getting some unexpected windfall.
A goal should be what will make you feel what you want to feel, or even the feeling itself. That leaves the door wide open as to how that goal can be achieved. You might indeed get that raise, or you might run into a long lost friend who happens to have an opening at their company that is exactly what you are looking for. If you are only going for a raise, you will be less open to the new opportunity (if you believe in “the secret” you will never run into the long lost friend in the first place!). The key is being open to opportunities presenting themselves, and trusting that the opportunity is being given to you for a reason. Then, ACT!!!
If you don’t know if you are setting the right goal, ask yourself why you are setting it. If you want a raise because you want to feel financially secure, then set the goal of being financially secure. Examples could go on forever, but hopefully that gives the gist.
By Betty Thomason on Aug 12, 2008
In three weeks (Sept 2) I will be celebrating my 50th year as a beautician. I have owned a salon in this small town all this time. It has supported me and helped raise three kids. I always speak to my customers as they walk in and try to make them feel as though I’m glad they are there (which, I am.) I try to never make anyone wait more than a few minutes. I have always paid attention to what makes hair do what I want it to and have gone to hair shows every year, even though I have to travel at least 130 miles one way. Only the last 3 or 4 years have I missed going to at least one show. I enjoy my customers and try to listen to them. I must be doing something right.
By Nancy Cook on Aug 15, 2008
The best support everyone as a team - - they don’t “prop” themselves up as “the best”, but more encourage others by their example. They gain strength and encouragement from those around them that admire their work, reap from their success, and smile from the sound of their words. The best are the leaders, those who want to do good for others and have passion and commitment in their actions and goals. They risk, they continue to look forward, they cheer, they listen to their own bodies and minds, and they have faith. They keep their “eye on the ball” and they “keep on keeping on”.