Lauren Card Live

Okay…any challengers out there? I say bring it on and let’s have some fun and play!

Game on!

L.

Obstacles- “Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage.” – Niccolo Machiavelli

I read an article about the obstacles leaders face and I agreed with one of the biggest obstacles for an entrepreneur… Delegation.

For three years I was the chairman for a non-profit golf tournament where 288 golfers not only had a day of fun the sun, but also enjoyed a full evening of food, libations, and a huge silent/live auction with spouses, friends and the like. In those 3 years we raised just shy of 500K for school children ranging in age from K – 12 for 4 public schools in Orange County. I’m very proud of that accomplishment but I must confess, had I not learned to delegate we wouldn’t have had the impact we did.

Delegation is a key ingredient in leadership and is one of the most difficult obstacles to overcome. Delegation is necessary for your success as a leader and is equally important to the development of those that chose to follow you. When you fail to delegate a task that you could and should, you find yourself in a situation that does effectively utilize the skills that you bring as a leader. You are too busy doing other things. In order to develop into an accomplished leader, you must delegate.

Remember that:

• Each person is different. There may be individuals in your organization that would jump at the opportunity to do the tasks that you are reluctant to delegate.

• Everyone in your organization benefits when you delegate responsibilities that fall outside your core competencies. Thoughtful delegation will allow others in your organization to shine and allow yourself the opportunity to focus on your areas of strength. Often times it is both natural and necessary for others to contribute. We had so many unbelievable talents on our committee, I was in constant awe at what was produced as a team.

Delegation is a learned skill… what can you do to master this skill?

Evaluate yourself: What are your strengths and weaknesses? In what areas can you operate that will make the most impact?

Evaluate others: Take time to get to know them and find out what they enjoy doing the most. What are their strengths?
What are the areas in which they could compliment you and through delegation would allow you to excel in leadership?
How can you effectively utilize them? What can I delegate that will enable some else to show their strength?

My first suggestion is to create a time journal for yourself. This journal will provide a clearer picture of where you are spending your time. Once you have the journal, ask yourself these questions…

1. What am I doing that does not really need to be done?
2. What am I doing that could be done by someone else?
3. What am I doing that could be done more efficiently?
4. What do I do that wastes time?

Second, delegation is a responsibility. As a leader it is your role to develop and empower others.

Delegation:
1. Helps other grow
2. Establishes accountability & responsibility
3. Generates greater results
4. Creates pride and confidence for yourself and those that follow you

Next, challenge your followers:
1. People rise to the challenge; let them
2. Be clear in communication. Delegate tasks in writing whenever possible and always include a deadline date
3. Give objectives, not procedures
4. Explain the relative importance of the task(s)

Finally, stay the course. Certainly, there are times when it might appear easier and less time consuming to do something yourself; however, over the long term, taking the time to delegate, train or enable someone else is one of the most beneficial investments you can make for yourself and others. Ultimately, the strength of a leader is empowering others to obtain greater results.

See you tomorrow!

L.

Flexibility - “If you stand in your strength too long then it becomes your weakness.” — Dr. Elias Porter

…as I review this Quote I’m laughing, my server was down and I was trying to get this out before midnight. I did thankfully and now I’m choosing to be “Flexible”… and in this moment, I’m so appreciate the day and having choice to decide.

In the Leadership Through Self Understanding class at Quattro University , instructor Andi Burgis taught us that one of the Key Points to being an effective Leader is Flexibility. She stated that being aware and adapting to other people’s styles and behavior is critical to successful leadership and teamwork.

There is power in being principled — a clear symmetry of structure, consistency and unwavering values. There is also power in being flexible — open, adaptable and resilient.

Each one of us tends to stand more to one side or the other — some of us are much more comfortable standing firmly on the principled or structured. Others of us are much more adept as standing on the flexible, open, adaptive and resilient. Which side do you tend to stand on?

If it is the principled side then you need to cultivate and begin to appreciate the flexible side. If it is the flexible side then you will need to cultivate and appreciate the more principled and structured side. After all, if you stand in your strength overlong, then it will become your weakness — principle turning into rigidity and flexibility turning into waving with the prevailing breeze.

I decided I’m both and to be a hollow bamboo… how flexible are you?

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.  He said, “My son, the battle is between two “wolves” inside us all. One is: Anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is:  Joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

As a leader one of the most valuable gifts we can give is our ability to listen and hear with compassion and empathy, not just for the other, but also for ourselves… this is presence. “When we sit in judgement, we are not present…the two cannot exist at the same time”.

So… I invite you tomorrow to take time and check in to see if there is a wolf present in your life. Are you feeling  anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego?

Or are you feeling  joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith?

Which wolf are you feeding?

Today’s Entrepreneur:

Stacey O’Byrne – “Backpacks For Our Future” Foundation – Stacey’s Desire to…Pay it Forward.

Stacey’s Past -

• Born in PA, raised in San Diego CA and moved to Orange County, CA  10 years ago
• Served 4 years US Army
• National Sales and Sales Operations Manager for a large national corporation
• BS in Business and Marketing SDSU
• Business Owner 7 years

Stacey Today -

• Mother of 2 beautiful daughters (step-daughter 20 years old, and my daughter 9 years old)
• Team Leader Long Beach
• Quattro University student
• Full time dedicated volunteer servant and Independent Sales Representative.

Stacey’s Future -

• Successful, well-rounded, balanced and transformed Entrepreneur that took command back of my life
• Due to my large financial success I am able to create a foundation to Pay it Forward and create “Backpacks for our Future” -  this foundation will ensure every child of elementary school age has a back pack with the necessary school supplies, an age appropriate book and a pay it forward assignment so they will have 30 days to pay it forward a favor to somebody else in need and then write a short story explaining what they have done to earn their backpack
• An amazing business life and family life with amazing memory making vacations
• Financially independent – thanks to my life time education with Quattro University and the amazing business opportunity presented to me by Quattro my life is everything I ever dreamed and imagine it could be – physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and financially…I am forever grateful to Cheri Tree and Kecia Wimmer

so….Are you curious???

Okay…I FINALLY had my video load to YT after their maintenience issues and them telling me to be cool about it …check it out below. Like I said, life happens and I’m sticking with my newly acquired Mantra from my NVC (Non- Violent Communication) Mentor Mary Mac Kenzie, one that I use when life happens and is out of my control: “I don’t mind what happens”…I can’t tell you the freedom this shift in consciousness creates, feel free to try it!

My video tells the story and as my hero Kermit says…”it’s not easy being green”…  Yes, but somebody has to do it!

L.

Today’s Entrepreneur:

Kent Mc Callister – A man of many talents!

Kent helps Eric Parrott and team members with operating the Los Angeles Market for Quattro University and CLUB Entrepreneur. This includes helping w/technical issues, team training on how to best use the software and platforms needed to get the word out to the public and be there when team members need a helping hand or a boost in a particular area.

Kent works with businesses to help them overcome obstacles and exceed their expectations through a process he calls “EYE” or “Exceed Your Expectations” both in business and personal life. This is an extension of what he has learned both on the Quattro For Life Calls and in the two live sessions of Quattro University he’s attended.

Kent’s Past -

• Peppered with random jobs in food/ beverage and short stints in retail while working on an elusive degree in food/beverage management. Kent obtained a certificate in Hotel Mgmt, Restaurant Mgmt, and Culinary Arts from Oxnard College, but did not finish the degree program at Cal Poly Pomona.
• The last 13 years have been spent in technology-based retail. First with Kinko’s helping run the computer departments for 4 stores over a period of almost 7 years as well as a desktop publishing office for one of those years.
• Kent’s experience in teaching technology and transferring his knowledge to others has brought him the greatest satisfaction of all and he’s considering returning to some form of training/ teaching/coaching for people who need to move forward in the new world of social media, but also sees the need to keep a human foot firmly planted on the ground and not lose sight of what’s actually important, the real, tangible interactions we have.

Kent Today -

• Working to help Team LA expand in the Los Angeles Market, showcase CLUB Entrepreneur, and help in building a massive sales force charged with invigorating our entrepreneur markets.
• Branding and brainstorming how he can turn the last 2 years of massive reading, 12 years of technology-based retail, and previous other odd jobs as well as the amazing mentoring he’s received through his connections with Quattro and turn them into a product that can help others “Keep an EYE on their Future”. Kent feels this would most likely be in a consultant position that would lead to a more formal training program.

• Kent is learning more about self, and what he feels has held him back in the past (issues tied to money, from childhood that have recently been brought to light), issues he feels that must be overcome and is reprogramming his Life OS and assisting others in doing the same.

Kent’s Future -

• Ultimately Kent would like to form a Foundation in his hometown back in Alabama to offer scholarships for entrepreneur-based jobs as well as the basics that we need to get back to.
• Would love to create a program that teaches people how to take hobbies and latent skills and turn them into jobs they can excel in.
• To leave a mark on the planet without leaving a large carbon footprint in the end.

so….Are you curious???

L.

Today’s Entrepreneur:

Nancy Tilove – Business Development for the Greater Santa Ana Business Alliance.

The alliance was the Chamber of Commerce for Santa Ana and it has shifted gears to assist the business community and education in Santa Ana and in Orange County.

Nancy’s Past -

• Nancy has been in organization management work (Chambers of Commerce) for the past 15 years.
• Started her career with the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce when her sons were little.
• Was a print broker for 10 years.
• Moved to Orange County and worked for the Irvine Chamber and the South County Chambers of Commerce for the past 13 years.

Nancy Today -

• With her kids grown, Nancy now has the freedom to be herself and do the things I want to do.
• Nancy is involved in Quattro University finding tremendous education for business and personal growth, and appreciates, “The most accepting, supportive and open minded group of people ever”.
• Her with the Alliance is extremely rewarding as I am helping a community in need to improve their education and their workforce for a better place to live and work.

Nancy’s Dreams -

• Her vision for her future is to create a program that would teach non-profits how to develop strategies in the sales and marketing arena.
• I would like to travel and work across the nation to experience different communities.
• I would love to teach different types of cultures how to better themselves and their organizations to have relevance within their communities.

Are you curious…. ???

L.

Today’s Entrepreneur:

Rod Kempton – Vice President of Education for Quattro University

Rod’s Past -

• The past 30 years Rod has been involved with Adult Educational Program Development and Employee Organizational Development.
• He is a father of 8 children, and a grandfather to 13 grandchildren!
• Car Nut…I mean enthusiast!  From Race Cars to Classics, both driving them to drooling over them at car shows.

Rod Today -

• Lives in San Diego across from Balboa Park where he walks every morning for 45 minutes…heaven!
• Loves food and is a chocoholic with no desire to enter into a 12 step program for it!
• Enjoys connecting with the vast variety within the Quattro University community

Rod’s Dreams -

• To live his mission of helping others to discover options and create a plan to implement those options.
• To live in a spiritual tribal community
• To own 3 cars: Austin Healy 3000MK III,  Mercedes Benz 280SL,  Rolls Royce Corniche Convertible

Are you curious…. ???

L.