Last night kicked off our weeklong EntreLeadership event at the Westin La Paloma in Tucson, Arizona. I had the chance to meet incredible people not only from America, but from Canada, and even Belize. Yep. I rode in from the airport with a lady who is from the U.K., but has lived the last 23 years in Belize. She found us on the web.
And while the resort, the food, the pools, the golf, the sun, the spa, and the humming birds are all amazing, what’s really exciting is the anticipation each guest has for the upcoming week. There’s no doubt, not one single guest came just for the golf. Maybe one of our guys, but surely none of the guests.
The anticipation comes from something that we sell…hope! You see, I believe that it’s not the material that draws people to our events, instead the hope that we have the information that is going to revolutionize their business. And why shouldn’t they? We’ve been revolutionizing the way people do business for years. We know this because the testimonies are phenomenal!
While there are two hundred businesses represented here, there are hundreds of thousands who are not. Why does that matter? Quite often I come across companies who are suffering and not seeking help to fix the problems. It’s like the people who are heavily in debt, and refuse to go through a class that will point them in the right direction.
Getting education can be the difference between a turn around to recovery, or potentially closing the doors. All it takes is a few simple steps:
- Research! – Start by looking at every potential event or coach that actually has something of value to say about your current situation. That’s important because their are plenty out there who don’t have a clue, but they will be happy to take your money.
- Proof! – Don’t just take their word for their expertise. Find quality testimonials from people who have actually experienced it. Many of these you can find online away from the educators website. See what people are saying. If you search EntreLeadership on Google, Twitter, Facebook, etc. you’re going to find people sharing how much it has changed their lives. Will you find someone who only wants to complain? Always. But that’s what makes it real.
- Go! – Find the time in your schedule and make it happen. Yes, I know, you’re busy. But can I tell you about the multiple accountants that came to my event during tax season and loved it! There have been a few that on the first day had that, “What did I just do?” look in their eyes. But when it was over, every one of them told me that they couldn’t have afforded NOT to come. Folks, that speaks volumes.
Am I saying that you have to come to EntreLeadership? Yes! Specifically my event! Ok, of course not. But I am saying that you need to continue educating yourself. Not just if you’re having problems. But even if things are spectacular. Not continuing to grow will cause you to stop growing. So find something that will help your business and get after it.
Question: How has education continued to grow your leadership or your business? Or how has the lack of it not?
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Great questions. Education about leadership has shown me, above all else, that I need more education about leadership. It’s a lifelong quest.
Specifically, I’ve learned that I’m my company’s problem, and I’m also my company’s solution. (Sadly, I’m still trying to figure out that solution, but I DO know that it’s me.)
Recently, education about company culture has helped me grow my business by not succumbing to the temptation to sacrifice how my company cares for its employees for short term profit. We’re going through heavy economic challenges right now, and healthcare is one of our biggest expenses. For a day or two, we entertained the idea of cutting in this area – but then, after listening to one of the Entreleadership podcasts, I realized that we would be breaking our culture of caring for our people by doing this. So we decided to focus on other ways of reducing costs. This was an easy decision in the light of how important caring for our people is to us, but a hard move in the accounting.
Lack of education, and a lack of following through with what I KNOW to be the right thing to do, has been the reason why I’m at where I’m at. I knew debt was dumb, but I dove in anyway. (If you’re thinking about taking on debt, do yourself a favor and PLEASE don’t.) Now I’m fighting with everything I have to get out – but it’s one of those battles where you feel the heat around you from the moment you wake up, to the moment you fall asleep. I exaggerate not. Stay away from debt.
What I’m trying to say: sometimes we have all the education in the world, but how often do we fail to apply it?
@Aaron Nelson Haha. I think it’s a cleverly hatched plan by Chris to keep us reading his blog! He slyly convinces us that there’s still more to learn so we never leave. MWAHAHAHA (evil laugh).
@Skropp @Aaron I agree. we’re a captive audience now! : )
@Skropp @Aaron I agree, we’re a captive audience now. I think it’s his plot to try to take over the world…. : )
@lilykreitinger @Skropp @Aaron Or take over our minds LOL – working on my end, anyway.
@Skropp @Aaron Totally agree LOL – convinced there’s more to learn, we keep following. Convinced there’s more to learn, we eventually sign up for his 3 day Entreleadership event. (I know I am saving up for that.) His plan is working :O
@Aaron Nelson @Skropp @Aaron I’m with you… I want to do the 3-day too!
@lilykreitinger @Skropp @Aaron I think we should coordinate our efforts and try to get there together. Wouldn’t that rock? We could make those ‘I’m with blog community’ t-shirts and sit front row. LOL — but seriously, I would totally love to go to the 3day with you guys.
Next one is coming up in June… 🙂
@lilykreitinger May need a few more months to turn things around….but workin it!
@Aaron Nelson Oh I know, just saying. I need a little bit more time than that too.
@Aaron Nelson @lilykreitinger @Aaron Man, that would be a blast. Once my family gets a bit further on Dave’s plan that’ll definitely be on the list of things to do!
@Skropp @Aaron You know, if you plan the podcast backwards, you can clearly hear Chris repeating “Read my blog. Read my blog. Read my blog.” ;^D
@skottydog @Skropp @Aaron LOL LOL that’s hilarious!!!! I think he puts something in my coffee.
@skottydog @Aaron Man!! I KNEW I wasn’t going crazy, towards the end of every podcast I start getting fidgetty and start looking for the nearest browser 😉
@Aaron Nelson @skottydog @Aaron I’m surprised he hasn’t got on and tried to defend himself and give some half-hearted defense about “just wanting to help” and “sincere concern” to cover his diabolical and sinister plot to do what does every night…try to TAKE OVER THE WORLD!!
@Skropp @Aaron @skottydog @Aaron I’m betting he’s immersed in the Entreleadership event – the one we’ll all go to once we’ve kicked a few babysteps into orbit!
@Aaron Nelson @Aaron @skottydog See what happens when he’s not here commenting? We uncover startling truths! Haha…like how much his comments ad to the conversation…
@Aaron Nelson To answer your question: all the time. Usually, because people consider “education” something that is given to them, rather than something that is earned. For example, if you were to win the lottery you’d have hundreds of people trying to educate you what to do with that money. If you heed their advice, you would likely end up broke. However, if you intentionally go out and find a credible advisor, that person will help you learn.
That is why so many people fail to apply their education. From age 5 to 25, most children and slightly-older children are spoon fed education. Very few go and seek it out.
@Aaron Nelson It’s a horrible feeling to think about debt from the moment your feet hit the floor in the morning until you fall back asleep at night. It’s a feeling I know all too well.
My wife and I finished our Baby Step 2 a couple of months ago, and now we are focusing on getting to BS6 (pay off the house) as fast as we can. In the Sarasota, Florida market, you can imagine that it’s going to take us AT LEAST another 4 years.
But I really feel for your situation, as our family can rely on our jobs to generate as much income as we can muster. When your source of income is also your source of debt, I can only imagine how frustrating that must be.
You sound determined to stick with it, so you are on the right path for certain!
@skottydog You rock man. Thanks for your kind words and encouragement! It really means a lot to me. Congrats! Super congrats on finishing off BS2 ! We’re working hard to just get our shovel big enough to start attacking BS1. (That’s getting current with everything and then the baby emergency fund, right?) But….things are cooking!
Not more than ten minutes ago, we got word that one of our most loyal clients is expanding their business with us by 4 groups – that pretty much will put us into afore mentioned attack position. I’m sooo excited!!!!
Yeah, our source of income is our source of debt…for now. It won’t take long to switch that over thankfully, if we can land two more corporate clients, we’ll be rocketing.
I’m so excited!!!!
@Aaron Nelson Wow! That’s huge! Way to knock out the first Baby Step!
Go Aaron!! Congratulations!! I have another possible business connection for you. I’ll send you a message shortly.
@lilykreitinger LILY! thanks so much! I hope to be meeting your brother this Wednesday. Such a small world!!! Thanks so much for trusting me with your contacts! I will do my utmost to take great care of them.
@Aaron Nelson And if you don’t, they’ll tell me and I’ll never talk to you again 😀 Ha! Just kidding!
@lilykreitinger won’t happen. Promise. 🙂
@skottydog @Aaron Nelson Awesome to hear your guys’ progress. I just bought the TMMO last Friday and my wife and I just put our first budget on paper last night.
@Aaron Nelson
True Aaron! I am good at messing up things. I wonder why I make such blunder at times.
@uma_maheswaran Because we’re human my friend. We all make them!!
I have gained a lot of great knowledge through the blog world and the podcast world. Learning is essential to effective leadership.
@jonstolpe Isn’t it awesome how much great information is available to us to learn and grow today?? I don’t think there’s ever been a time where so many people could have such access to great leaders as today!
@Skropp @jonstolpe 2500 years ago, the world’s best philosophers gathered in Athens, Greece. 500 years ago, the best artists and musicians gathered in Italy. 100 years ago, writers and post-modern painters gathered in Paris. Today, we gather around our keyboards?
Philosophy and art and writing thrived because the conditions created by the time and place. There was a clear direction for an artist: if you had talent and desire, you found a great mentor and worked under them for years while developing your skill. Over time, your work became recognized as priceless.
We may have more access to great leaders today, but there is certainly a disconnect between our culture and what we produce. For example, within the United States we pay more attention to athletes than we do to business leaders. Our school systems have a better chance of sending a talented football player through the NCAA and on to the NFL than they have a chance of sending a potential leader to an event like Entreleadership.
That is not to say that we cannot change things. The best way to “battle” an engrained culture is certainly hope. And I believe present company is fully capable of spreading the hope and leadership around.
One of the greatest things I’ve found with continuing my education has been what you mentioned briefly, Hope. As well as a sense of purpose. Reading books, listening to podcasts, reading blogs, and interacting with great leaders through these mediums as well as twitter, shows me what I’m shooting for. It gives me hope that I can improve and become more like the leaders that I read and listen to.
@Skropp This reminds me of Proverbs 13. Admittedly, I had to do a search to find it. Knew it was Proverbs, but forgot which one, so I cheated a bit) .
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.”
:^)
@skottydog I had forgotten that one! Thanks for reminding me!
@skottydog Love this verse.
@Skropp
” Reading books, listening to podcasts, reading blogs, and interacting with great leaders through these mediums as well as twitter ” — These activities thell us that we trying genuinely to move forward. So, when we persist, we will reap the benefits.
@uma_maheswaran It’s amazing how far a true desire will take us…
In my experience, “Go” is hardest thing for people to do. This is true for growing as a leader, getting out of debt, getting in shape, growing your marriage, improving your marketing, etc. It takes drive and tenacity to do it and stay with it so you experience true change.
@JoelFortner Great point, Joel. Doing it is one thing. Sticking with it is another!
@JoelFortner Agreed Joel. Drive, tenacity and diligence not included in ‘Go.’
@JoelFortner Theres a thousand that start for every one that finishes. It really is action that separated success from failure
@JoelFortner I have heard it said that knowledge if not power, ACTION is power…..it is the “GO” …..
Being a trainer and an educator, I am totally biased in this topic. I don’t understand all the excuses some organizations use NOT to educate themselves. There is so much great stuff out there that costs ZERO money, but you have to understand it and use it in the best possible way.
I told Chris that I’m so blown away by what I’ve experienced through EntreLeadership. It started with FPU and me reading Dave’s books. After than I’ve read so many books that I’ve heard about on the podcast, it’s crazy. I see this as a self-paced personal MBA program. I’m loving it!
I won’t go on and on about it, but I attended the Chick-Fil-A Leadercast at the remote location in Minneapolis on Friday. To think that we’re listening to world-class leaders live and paid $49 for a day of training! WOW! If any of you guys wants a copy of my notes, I’d love to share. You can shoot me an e-mail kreitinger_trainer@yahoo.com and I’ll reply back to you. Some of the speakers were so great, I couldn’t keep up.
Bottom line? You can never go wrong with learning how to improve your leadership skills. And there’s no excuse not to do it.
@lilykreitinger I agree, Lily. You can never have too much information when it comes to improving not only leadership, but ANY aspect of your life.
(I’d love to read your notes on Tim Tebow’s lecture! I was very curious about that. I’ll be emailing you shortly!)
@lilykreitinger Oh that was so well said Lily!!!!!
@lilykreitinger That’s true lily! In my country, I see a trend. Large scale companies don’t mind in spending on educating themselves. But, the problem lies with many small and medium scale enterprises. They are very reluctant to open their purse for such training.
@lilykreitinger I almost had the opportunity to attend the Chick-Fil-A Leadercast live! Wish I did!! Would love your notes… I’m emailing you now 🙂
@lilykreitinger Would love copies of your notes! I’ll email you. It is amazing the information and education we can receive for little or no money, isn’t it!?!
Chris, The Entreleadership 1-day in Orlando took place just weeks before I transitioned out of management. Treating my team well has made my move a smooth and comfortable one (aside from the guaranteed few who live and love to complain).
Our hiring process went much smoother having been able to apply the Entreleadership lesson on hiring and firing. Just to illustrate this point, we had begun our interviewing process shortly after we met, Chris, and the new supervisor is starting three weeks from today!
Hi Chris,
Many people are challenged these days with the perceived lack of “time”. But if you look at it, “time” is the only true equalizer.
Here’s what I mean – While people may bring with them various advantages (financial backing, family status, education, genetics, geographic location, etc) one thing we all have an equal amount of is time; 168 hours per week.
If you have $168/wk, according to Ramsey, you would give every dollar a name. There’s no reason you can’t follow the same guideline with the way you manage your time.
Does working with a coach take time? Yes. Does steeping yourself in education take time? Yes. However, if you focus on the results you want to create, (a profitable or more profitable business, a life of purpose and meaning, stronger relationships), the priorities will almost magically arrange themselves answering the question of “What next?”
@JoelBoggess Great points Joel. We talked about something similar at church yesterday. We discussed how important it is in life to clarify and really KNOW what your priorities are. And also not just know what to do, but WHY you’re doing it. Once you clarify those two things, like you said, it’ll be amazing what you can find time to do!
@JoelBoggess Joel! It all depends on how intentional and focused we are in our efforts.
I’d love to see a list of the businesses by type that attend the weeklong Entreleadership! And I’d love to know if an artist has ever attended. . .
@cabinart I’m sure you’d love it. You’re very good at transferring the EntreLeadership concepts to your business. May take you to the next level!
@lilykreitinger No doubt I would love it! Not sure I am really transferring the concepts to my business – keep looking around for someone to lead, finding no one but 3 kitties, and returning to the easels, which is where I belong during the day rather than at the computer.
Agreed Chris! As Proverbs 11:14 goes “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.” The same analogy hold true any organization/ company.
Again, in Proverbs 24:6, it is reiterated that “for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers.”
I believe that entreleadership is doing a splendid job of counselling and turning around organizations.
What are the 22 lessons of Dave Ramsey’s EntreLeadership series?Thanks for this nice blog.
What does leadership entail? What kind of qualities would you expect to see in a leader? What kind of qualities make up a good leader apart from the norm? Are good leaders always strong and brave, e.t.c?
Leadership entails a person who can be above traditional bias and make clear, informed decisions that can direct a group placed in his care. The decision should be for the collective good, and not have any selfish motivations of any kind.
I finished reading EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey. The book offers practical wisdom from Dave based on his years of experience building a business from scratch. It offers insights on both entrepreneurship and leadership — it’s not an either or proposition when you’re launching a business.
That’s true lily! In my country, I see a trend. Large scale companies don’t mind in spending on educating themselves.
It depends on the name brand they have there, I have bought make-up there before. Do not buy there hair dye ( nmost of the time it is old).
Love the 3 steps! As to your question – Education is a huge part of growing my business – a VITAL part of it. To stop learning would be to stop breathing – there would only be death. I know one thing – I must be a constant learner to keep my business at the top.