Fallacies of Marketing

I've always been called a leader. From when I was very young on the playground, I was organizing people to get things done.

Student Council in Junior High, in Senior High, in College: yep, I was the president.

In theater: I directed my first production in 7th grade. And even today, people joke that I'm the "mayor" in just about any setting I find myself.

So this section of Harry Beckwith's book, The Invisible Touch, was hard for me to approach.

"People Don't Lead. Purposes Do."

Mr. Beckwith goes to great lengths to say that people really don't like to be "managed" and I agree with that. Just as you can't herd cats, most people really won't allow themselves to be managed (frankly, I bristle at the term and find my spine running cold with the idea that someone would "manage" (control) me).

So what does he suggest?

Create businesses with well-defined goals and then let everyone work toward them. And I present to consulting clients that compensation must be based around the goals of the company and goals of the individual so that what is most important is rewarded.

As an entrepreneur, I know what it is to set goals and be the cheerleader to help get those around me over the goal line. When THEY are successful, I am successful and so is my company.

Set An Atmosphere, And Then Get Out Of The Way

I've always felt that I can set the atmosphere within which we all work.

My close friend, Cheryl, pointed out to me one time that the success of a good theater production started from the top down. I wasn't sure I agreed until I saw how another director was treating (and then being treated back by) his cast.

Open, caring, clear goals and communication.

So maybe I DON'T disagree with Mr. Beckwith: maybe it's just our definitions of Leadership aren't exactly the same. And then THROUGH me the "purpose" is manifested and we achieve our goals.

Now THAT makes sense!

And what REALLY makes sense is that the overall purpose for which we're working really drives everything. So maybe I've just been good at identifying those goals which others can choose to follow.

So whether it's a student council president, a theater director, someone running a company, or the President of the United States, it's LESS about Leadership of the individual and MORE about setting clear goals for getting out main purpose accomplished.

Amen.

Best,

Charlie Seymour Jr
Blogging, Podcasting, Consulting

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Charlie Seymour Jr is an entrepreneurial evangelist and marketing-success coach helping individuals and companies (up to $100MM) explode their success through online and direct-response marketing. He specializes in blogging, podcasting, photography, video, and Facebook applications. Visit his blog at http://bit.ly/24eYTO to learn more about his successes.

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013 The Invisible Touch – The Fallacy of Leadership