Every day you are greeted by opportunity.
Knowing your response back to opportunity is the beginning of surfing greatness. Learn to be fluent in the language of opportunity.
As you become proficient in this new language and learn to see opportunities in every situation, your career path will definitely be affected. The most satisfying thing about learning a new language is to practice and share with others. Sure it may be a little clumsy at first, but remember, anything worth doing well is worth doing poorly…at first.
The Best Way to Learn
The best way to learn is through teaching and mentoring others.
You do not have to wait to be anointed with some expert status or reach a certain level on the organizational chart to teach and mentor others.
As you begin preparing ideas to share with others, your mind will move to a new level. As you communicate with and teach others, the concepts you share begin to crystallize into mastery.
The knowledge in your mind is never static. You are either growing or you are dying. There is no better way to maintain growth than to teach and build others with your newfound knowledge and skills.
Your Role as Surfing Instructor
Share what you know to make your team stronger.
Don’t be stingy with your knowledge and your experience. Don’t feel threatened by the success of those you teach.
Instead, let this be a validation of you as a teacher and mentor for others. There is no better way to employ what you have learned than to immediately apply it, and there is no better way to apply concepts than to share them with others.
As discussed earlier, adding value and building up others will not hold you back. Teaching and building others demonstrate your ability to lead.
As I mentioned in the introduction, I am learning Spanish, but just reading a book about Spanish es no bueno. Learning comes from applying and using your new words and concepts. Speaking and conversing allows you to begin to make a language your own.
As I learn new words, I share my discoveries with my children and I take my new knowledge to a higher level. Teaching and sharing a new concept forces me to learn differently.
Ultimately, it makes my learning experience more practical and applicable.
Discover the Strengths of Others and Assist them to Surf to Those Strengths
To develop surfing greatness in others, it is vital to help them first see it in themselves.
Most people are loaded with self-doubt and a hundred reasons why they don’t deserve, don’t qualify or don’t believe in themselves.
German philosopher and author Wolfgang von Goethe observed, “Treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he can and should be, and he will become as he can and should be.”
Truer words were never spoken when it comes to mentoring others. Expect greatness from others. Learn to see people as they can be. Nurture greatness in others even (especially) when they do not see it in themselves. Leaders take away the oxygen that fuels the fires of doubt and insecurity.
Regardless of whom you work for or who works for you, you must communicate to people your belief in them. When you clearly communicate your vision of what your team—and the individuals on your team—can become, you will move mountains.
Think of Mel Gibson as William Wallace in the movie Braveheart, a brave and charismatic leader among his people. His victories came from vividly sharing his vision of freedom and the value in what they were fighting and dying for. He built an army by sharing a vision of what they could do and the triumphs they were destined to rise to.
If you have never had a leader to inspire you to your greatest potential, become that leader. Inspire others.
If you have never had anyone believe in you or mentor you, this is your great opportunity. Not only will you be able to provide this for yourself, you will give a wonderful gift to those who work for and with you.
Managers who are feared will always produce low morale and turnover compared to leaders who inspire produce enthusiasm and passion.
Organizations need leadership and vision from the top down, but they need input, feedback and support from everywhere inside. No matter where you are in the company strata, you can make an impact.
This post is an excerpt from the book Carpe Aqualis! written by Kahuna Business Group’s Founder/ CEO Frank F. Lunn.
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