I recently had the opportunity to attend and participate in the European annual Juice Plus conference in Munich. It was truly a magical experience for all who attended. The event was created/coordinated by Dan Holzman, a Master Distributor in the NSA business. There were several key leadership qualities Dan demonstrated through this conference that stood out to me: (1)the actions of his leadership team exudes passion; (2)his team’s drive for constant improvement is a result of Dan’s drive for constant growth; (3)his team’s attention to even the smallest of details reflects the standard Dan uses to run his life. His staff went the extra mile to make the experience special for all because Dan obviously understands that paying attention to even the smallest of details makes the difference between ordinary and extraordinary. It became vividly clear to me that everything I witnessed and experienced was the primary result of Dan Holzman’s leadership … his “Infectious Leadership”.

One important lesson to understand is that every business or every business culture becomes a product of its leaders. It is the core values of the leader(s) that define the core values of the business. It is the core drive of the leader(s) that creates the momentum of the business. It is the core habits of the leader(s) that create the habits within the business. I call this “infectious leadership” because it is the thinking and actions of leadership that infect everyone and ultimately plays a huge role in the success or failure of a business.

This brings up a key question that every leader should ask themselves – would you follow you? As a lead distributor I have always understood that others would follow my example. I knew that by mirroring the qualities that brought me success that others would integrate that model into their own businesses. It is important to keep in mind, however, that as a leader you will attract and create business relationships based upon your leadership style. This will also create the identity of your business. There are 10 fundamental traits of “extraordinary leaders” that if mirrored by your leadership will cause you to become the type of infectious leader that not only changes lives but also makes a profound difference in the world.

The 10 Fundamental Powers of Extraordinary Leaders

The Power of Vision – A vision must call forth individuals to become more of who they truly are. It is the power to create a mission and dream that inspires others to follow your leadership.

The Power of Unreasonable Expectations – To receive the ultimate rewards, you must live by the ultimate standards. Our standards determine our level of excellence.

The Power of Conviction – The quality of your life is in direct proportion to your ability to deal with uncertainty. One of the guarantees of life is that it will constantly challenge us. That is why discipline, resolve and conviction are so important to any great leader.

The Power of Connection – True leaders have an uncanny ability to care and connect. The core of who they are as people is rooted in the principles of love, caring and compassion.

The Power of Passionate Communication – To inspire others, you must first be inspired. Great leaders do not push others. Instead they inspire others to push themselves.

The Power of Strategic Innovation – One of the only constants in life is change. Great leaders proactively and effectively manage change. They do this through strategic innovation and the constant desire to make change an asset vs. a liability.

The Power of Action – Leaders are bold. They are men and women of action. Remember, “Watch feet not lips” – there is much more power in a leader’s walk than in their talk. The inability to take action even when facing the toughest decisions and challenges is a cancer to great leadership.

The Power of Truth – Leaders tell themselves, and everyone with whom they interact, the truth. This means being “authentic” so that your words match your actions.

The Power of Character – Leaders are responsible, consistent, courageous, loyal, and fearless. A leader’s soul is unfulfilled unless it is an example of good character. Good character is defined by a person’s true desire to serve others as their primary goal in life.

The Power of Giving – Leaders define their value and create their legacy by the difference they make in the lives of others. Giving is not done with the purpose of getting something in return. As you have probably heard it said … generosity doesn’t keep score. With any great leader, giving is the essence of their identity.

I find the desire and ability to lead others is one of the most worthwhile pursuits in life. Why? Leadership is a skill set that allows you to make a difference. It is also a mindset that plays a major role in defining your legacy. I believe the ability to be a great leader lies within all of us.

In closing I’d like to encourage each of you to meditate on this for a moment … “it is much easier to lead than to push.” Make this foundational in the way you manage your business and you will undoubtedly reap the leadership rewards you are seeking.

Although my story in the Network Marketing industry is somewhat unique due to the level of financial success achieved, there are many, many others that have earned fortunes and full-time careers in this industry.  The Network Marketing industry allows distributors to be highly successful because it allows for the opportunity to earn from the efforts of others.  Although this is similar to the way traditional business works wherein the business owner reaps the benefits of others’ efforts; the major difference is that in our business we are rewarded for teaching, empowering and fostering the independence of others.

In traditional business the profits are made, but the “employee” has a ceiling on what they can earn and the position they can achieve within the company.  They will never become the CEO.  However, in our business we are all CEOs.  It is difficult to accumulate business wealth when income can only be generated from your own efforts.  It’s the John Paul Getty theory that asks would you rather earn “1% of the efforts of 100 people or 100% of your efforts?”  Given the opportunity, the choice is clear for most people.  Those in the work force everywhere operate within that structure, but with limitations and the huge benefits are realized by the owner only.  A position within any company has a ceiling on the income potential, here there is none.

Remember, your efforts are limited by (1) your value to the marketplace, and (2) time.  In this business model you get paid for setting others up for success and there are no ceilings or limitations.  The reward is not just the money and time freedom, but fulfillment.  Those are strong desires that most people have and few accomplish.  That being said, there are many distributors who do not achieve financial success in Network Marketing.  In my drive to be a high achiever, I have practiced the following 4 key fundamental principles that are the common difference between success and failure:

1.  Long-term Relationships = Long-term Success.  Too often sales are the focus in the Network Marketing business.  Sales are nothing more than an event on the journey to developing a relationship.  In reality, sales are a promise.  The path to earning business relationships is in giving your all to insuring that promise is fulfilled.  I realized very early in my career that the key to a large, successful and long-term Network Marketing business is “critical mass”.  In other words, the more stable and lasting the relationships within my organization were, the more success and “relationship income” would be yielded.  Some would classify my business as “residual income” because I get paid from the relationships in my organization even if I am not working.  However, it is my belief that we should all earn our way, and one of the keys to keeping a large business is to constantly find and cultivate new relationships.  We are not handed a successful business, rather all the tools that are needed – the rest is up to us.

2. Desire – Never underestimate the power of a strong “why”.  Desire is often the fuel behind discipline.  The stronger the desire, the stronger one’s discipline and resolve.  I remember listening to a speaker in Austria who said “to achieve greatness your dreams have to be stronger than your largest obstacle”.  This is so true.  Life throws constant interruptions and choices at all of us.  For many, that reality creates a life that is like a leaf blowing in the wind.  Desire requires resolve.  It requires a level of commitment where you will reach the top of the mountain or be found dead on the side.  After almost 25 years in this business, I encounter people every day that attempt to test my desire to continue to change the health and wealth of people through Juice Plus.  These people never have an effect on me because my desire to grow and serve is such a strong part of my identity.  As Napoleon Hill noted, “Every person who wins in any undertaking must be willing to cut all sources of retreat. Only by doing so can one be sure of maintaining that state of mind known as a burning desire to win – essential to success”.

3. Willingness to Work – Many who fail to succeed in business seem to lack the key element needed to succeed in anything – the willingness to work.  Even more important, it is the consistent discipline built around a solid DMO (Daily Method of Operation – our routines in life) that is often the key difference between success and failure.  The ability to dream lives in all of us.  However, it is the few vs. the masses who have that willingness to work to do whatever is necessary to achieve that dream.  We all know or know of people who achieved success without working very hard, and we also know they are the exception to the rule.  You will find in high achievers that there is not only that willingness to work, but an extra drive that really makes the difference.  As the old adage goes, there is very little traffic in the extra mile.  It is those who conquer that extra mile that become the examples in everything in life.  That little bit of extra effort pays off.

4. Teachable – One of my core beliefs in business is that “You Grow before Your Business Grows”.  It is key to grow right along with your business.  That will always give you a better outcome.  Don’t wait to begin your business until you feel you have sufficiently grown personally or you will never get started.  Often I see success become a wall for continued growth.  It is here where the potential of an individual is minimal or even lost.  I believe in the “principle of CANI (constant and never ending improvement)”.  It has been my experience that the more money I made in business, the harder I worked to increase my value to the marketplace and my team.  To this day one of the greatest expenses I have in business is investing in my own personal development.  There is always something you can learn that will help you achieve more and contribute at a higher level.  Investing in personal development only occurs if you remain “teachable”.  Growth in life requires an open mind.  When you close your mind because you believe you have enough knowledge, then you are cheating yourself and all those you are serving.  In the end, remember that experience is always the best teacher.  However, as Vernon Law quoted in the 1930’s, “experience teaches only the teachable”.  If part of your DMO is not focused on growth, then you limit your ability to grow.

In closing, I’d like to emphasize that principles mean nothing if you do not apply them to life.  Application occurs through activity.  That means you have to integrate these principles into your life if you want to achieve the benefits and rewards that come with them.  Make relationships a priority.  Learn how to create and build them.  Fuel your desire everyday because that will fuel the discipline and resolve necessary to succeed at anything in life.  Work hard and make productivity part of your DMO regardless of the amount of success you have achieved.  Success always leaves clues.  Finally, remain teachable because there is a world of information that can open your mind to new possibilities and take your success and happiness to new heights.