Leadership_NN1 Gold_NN1 :_: Lessons_NN2 I_PPIS1 've_VH0 Learned_VVN from_II Lifetime_NNT1 of_IO Leading_VVG IF_CSW IT_PPH1 'S_VBZ LONELY_JJ AT_II THE_AT TOP_NN1 ,_, YOU_PPY 'RE_VBR NOT_XX DONING_VVG SOMETHING_PN1 RIGHT_RR ._. 
My_APPGE father_NN1 's_GE generation_NN1 believed_VVD that_CST leaders_NN2 should_VM never_RR get_VVI too_RG close_RR to_II the_AT people_NN they_PPHS2 lead_VV0 ._. 
"_" Keep_VV0 a_AT1 distance_NN1 "_" was_VBDZ a_AT1 phrase_NN1 I_PPIS1 often_RR heard_VVN ._. 
Good_JJ leaders_NN2 were_VBDR supposed_JJ to_TO be_VBI a_RR21 little_RR22 above_RL and_CC apart_II21 from_II22 those_DD2 they_PPHS2 led_VVD ._. 
As_II a_AT1 result_NN1 ,_, when_CS I_PPIS1 began_VVD my_APPGE leadership_NN1 journey_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 made_VVD sure_JJ to_TO keep_VVI some_DD distance_NN1 between_II me_PPIO1 and_CC my_APPGE people_NN ._. 
I_PPIS1 tried_VVD to_TO be_VBI close_JJ enough_RR to_II 1ead_FO them_PPHO2 ,_, but_CCB far_RR enough_RR away_RL to_TO not_XX be_VBI influenced_VVN by_II them_PPHO2 ._. 
This_DD1 balancing_NN1 act_NN1 immediately_RR created_VVN a_AT1 lot_NN1 of_IO inner_JJ conflict_NN1 for_IF me_PPIO1 ._. 
Honestly_RR ,_, I_PPIS1 liked_VVD being_VBG close_JJ to_II the_AT people_NN I_PPIS1 led_VVD ._. 
Plus_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 felt_VVD that_CST one_MC1 of_IO my_APPGE strengths_NN2 was_VBDZ my_APPGE ability_NN1 to_TO connect_VVI with_IW people_NN both_RR of_IO these_DD2 factors_NN2 caused_VVD me_PPIO1 to_TO fight_VVI the_AT instruction_NN1 I_PPIS1 had_VHD received_VVN to_TO keep_VVI a_AT1 distance_NN1 ._. 
And_CC sure_JJ enough_RR ,_, within_II a_AT1 few_DA2 months_NNT2 of_IO accepting_VVG my_APPGE first_MD leadership_NN1 position_NN1 ,_, my_APPGE wife_NN1 ,_, Margaret_NP1 ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 began_VVD developing_JJ close_JJ friendships_NN2 ._. 
We_PPIS2 were_VBDR enjoying_VVG our_APPGE work_NN1 and_CC the_AT people_NN in_II the_AT organization_NN1 ._. 
Like_II many_DA2 leaders_NN2 early_RR in_II their_APPGE career_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 knew_VVD that_CST I_PPIS1 would_VM not_XX stay_VVI in_II this_DD1 first_MD job_NN1 forever_RT ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 good_JJ experience_NN1 ,_, but_CCB I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ soon_RR ready_JJ for_IF bigger_JJR challenges_NN2 ._. 
After_II three_MC years_NNT2 ,_, I_PPIS1 resigned_VVD to_TO accept_VVI a_AT1 position_NN1 in_II Lancaster_NP1 ,_, Ohio_NP1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 'll_VM never_RR forget_VVI the_AT response_NN1 of_IO most_DAT people_NN when_CS they_PPHS2 realized_VVD we_PPIS2 were_VBDR leaving_VVG :_: "_" How_RRQ could_VM you_PPY do_VDI this_DD1 after_II all_DB we_PPIS2 have_VH0 done_VDN together_RL ?_? "_" 
Many_DA2 people_NN took_VVD my_APPGE departure_NN1 personally_RR ._. 
I_PPIS1 could_VM see_VVI they_PPHS2 felt_VVD hurt_JJ ._. 
That_DD1 really_RR bothered_VVD me_PPIO1 ._. 
Instantly_RR ,_, the_AT words_NN2 of_IO older_JJR leaders_NN2 rang_VVD in_II my_APPGE ears_NN2 :_: "_" Do_VD0 n't_XX get_VVI too_RG close_RR to_II your_APPGE people_NN ._. "_" 
As_CSA I_PPIS1 left_VVD that_DD1 assignment_NN1 to_TO take_VVI my_APPGE next_MD leadership_NN1 position_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 promised_VVD myself_PPX1 to_TO keep_VVI people_NN from_II getting_VVG too_RG close_RR to_II me_PPIO1 ._. 
THIS_DD1 TIME_NNT1 IT_PPH1 'S_VBZ PERSONAL_JJ ._. 
In_II my_APPGE second_MD position_NN1 ,_, for_IF the_AT first_MD time_NNT1 in_II my_APPGE leadership_NN1 journey_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 could_VM employ_VVI staff_NN to_TO help_VVI me_PPIO1 ._. 
One_MC1 young_JJ man_NN1 showed_VVD great_JJ promise_NN1 ,_, so_CS I_PPIS1 hired_VVD him_PPHO1 and_CC began_VVD pouring_VVG my_APPGE life_NN1 into_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 soon_RR discovered_VVD that_DD1 training_NN1 and_CC developing_JJ people_NN was_VBDZ both_RR a_AT1 strength_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 joy_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 staff_NN member_NN1 and_CC I_PPIS1 did_VDD everything_PN1 together_RL ._. 
One_MC1 of_IO the_AT best_JJT ways_NN2 to_TO train_VVI others_NN2 is_VBZ to_TO let_VVI them_PPHO2 accompany_VVI you_PPY to_TO observe_VVI what_DDQ you_PPY do_VD0 ,_, give_VV0 some_DD training_NN1 ,_, and_CC then_RT let_VV0 them_PPHO2 make_VVI an_AT1 attempt_NN1 at_II doing_VDG it_PPH1 ._. 
That_DD1 's_VBZ what_DDQ we_PPIS2 did_VDD ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ my_APPGE first_MD experience_NN1 in_II mentoring_VVG ._. 
I_PPIS1 thought_VVD everything_PN1 was_VBDZ going_VVG great_JJ ._. 
Then_RT one_MC1 day_NNT1 I_PPIS1 found_VVD out_RP that_CST he_PPHS1 had_VHD taken_VVN some_DD sensitive_JJ information_NN1 I_PPIS1 had_VHD shared_VVN with_IW him_PPHO1 and_CC violated_VVN my_APPGE confidence_NN1 by_II telling_VVG others_NN2 about_II it_PPH1 ._. 
It_PPH1 not_XX only_RR hurt_VV0 me_PPIO1 as_II a_AT1 leader_NN1 ,_, but_CCB is_VBZ also_RR hurt_VV0 me_PPIO1 personally_RR ._. 
I_PPIS1 felt_VVD betrayed_JJ ._. 
Needless_JJ to_TO say_VVI ,_, I_PPIS1 let_VV0 him_PPHO1 go_VVI ._. 
And_CC once_RR21 again_RR22 ,_, the_AT words_NN2 of_IO more_RGR experienced_JJ leaders_NN2 rang_VVD in_II my_APPGE ears_NN2 :_: "_" Do_VD0 n't_XX get_VVI too_RG close_RR to_II your_APPGE people_NN ._. "_" 
Loneliness_NN1 is_VBZ not_XX a_AT1 positional_JJ issue_NN1 ;_; it_PPH1 is_VBZ a_AT1 personality_NN1 issue_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 time_NNT1 I_PPIS1 had_VHD learned_VVN my_APPGE lesson_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 once_RR21 again_RR22 determined_VVD to_TO keep_VVI space_NN1 between_II me_PPIO1 and_CC everyone_PN1 around_II me_PPIO1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 would_VM hire_VVI staff_NN to_TO do_VDI their_APPGE jobs_NN2 ._. 
And_CC I_PPIS1 would_VM do_VDI my_APPGE job_NN1 ._. 
And_CC we_PPIS2 would_VM only_RR get_VVI together_RL at_II the_AT annual_JJ Christmas_NNT1 party_NN1 !_! 
For_IF six_MC months_NNT2 I_PPIS1 managed_VVD to_TO maintain_VVI this_DD1 professional_JJ separation_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB then_RT one_MC1 day_NNT1 I_PPIS1 realized_VVD that_CST keeping_VVG even_RR ,_, one_PN1 at_II a_AT1 distance_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 double-edged_JJ sword_NN1 ._. 
The_AT good_JJ news_NN1 was_VBDZ that_CST if_CS I_PPIS1 kept_VVD people_NN at_II a_AT1 distance_NN1 ,_, nobody_PN1 would_VM ever_RR hurt_VVI me_PPIO1 ._. 
But_CCB the_AT bad_JJ news_NN1 was_VBDZ that_CST no_PN121 one_PN122 would_VM ever_RR be_VBI able_JK to_TO help_VVI me_PPIO1 either_RR ._. 
So_RR at_II age_NN1 twenty-five_MC ,_, I_PPIS1 made_VVD a_AT1 decision_NN1 :_: As_II a_AT1 leader_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 would_VM "_" walk_VV0 slowly_RR through_II the_AT crowd_NN1 ._. "_" 
I_PPIS1 would_VM take_VVI the_AT time_NNT1 and_CC the_AT risk_NN1 of_IO getting_VVG close_RR to_II people_NN and_CC letting_VVG them_PPHO2 get_VVI close_RR to_II me_PPIO1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 would_VM vow_VVI to_TO love_VVI people_NN before_II trying_VVG to_TO lead_VVI them_PPHO2 ._. 
This_DD1 choice_NN1 would_VM at_II times_NNT2 make_VV0 me_PPIO1 vulnerable_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 would_VM get_VVI hurt_JJ ._. 
Yet_RR the_AT close_JJ relationships_NN2 would_VM allow_VVI me_PPIO1 to_TO help_VVI them_PPHO2 as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 be_VBI helped_VVN by_II them_PPHO2 ._. 
That_DD1 decision_NN1 has_VHZ changed_VVN my_APPGE life_NN1 and_CC my_APPGE leadership_NN1 ._. 
LONELINESS_NN1 IS_VBZ NOT_XX A_AT1 LEADERSHIP_NN1 ISSUE_NN1 ._. 
There_EX 's_VBZ a_AT1 cartoon_NN1 in_II which_DDQ an_AT1 executive_NN1 is_VBZ shown_VVN sitting_VVG forlornly_RR behind_II a_AT1 huge_JJ desk_NN1 ._. 
Standing_VVG meekly_RR on_II the_AT other_JJ side_NN1 of_IO the_AT desk_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 man_NN1 dressed_VVN in_II work_NN1 clothes_NN2 ,_, who_PNQS says_VVZ ,_, "_" If_CS it_PPH1 's_VBZ any_DD comfort_NN1 to_II you_PPY ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ lonely_JJ at_II the_AT bottom_NN1 too_RR ._. "_" 
Being_VBG at_II the_AT top_NN1 does_VDZ n't_XX mean_VVI you_PPY have_VH0 to_TO be_VBI lonely_JJ ._. 
Neither_DD1 does_VDZ being_NN1 at_II the_AT bottom_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 've_VH0 met_VVN lonely_JJ people_NN at_II the_AT bottom_NN1 ,_, on_II the_AT top_NN1 ,_, and_CC in_II the_AT middle_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 now_RT realize_VV0 that_DD1 loneliness_NN1 is_VBZ not_XX a_AT1 positional_JJ issue_NN1 ;_; it_PPH1 is_VBZ a_AT1 personal_JJ issue_NN1 ._. 
To_II many_DA2 people_NN ,_, the_AT leader_NN1 's_GE image_NN1 is_VBZ that_DD1 of_IO an_AT1 individual_JJ standing_NN1 alone_RR at_II the_AT top_NN1 of_IO the_AT mountain_NN1 ,_, looking_VVG down_RP on_II his_APPGE people_NN ._. 
He_PPHS1 's_VBZ separated_VVN ,_, isolated_VVD ,_, and_CC lonely_JJ ._. 
Thus_RR the_AT saying_VVG "_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ lonely_JJ at_II the_AT top_NN1 ._. "_" 
But_CCB l_ZZ1 would_VM argue_VVI that_CST the_AT phrase_NN1 was_VBDZ never_RR made_VVN by_II a_AT1 great_JJ leader_NN1 ._. 
If_CS you_PPY are_VBR leading_JJ others_NN2 and_CC you_PPY 're_VBR lonely_JJ ,_, then_RT you_PPY 're_VBR not_XX doing_VDG it_PPH1 right_RR ._. 
Think_VV0 about_II it_PPH1 ._. 
If_CS you_PPY 're_VBR all_DB alone_JJ ,_, that_DD1 means_VVZ nobody_PN1 is_VBZ following_VVG you_PPY ._. 
And_CC if_CS nobody_PN1 is_VBZ following_VVG you_PPY ,_, you_PPY 're_VBR not_XX really_RR leading_VVG ._. 
THE_AT BEST_JJT LEADERS_NN2 ARE_VBR LISTENERS_NN2 ._. 
Steven_NP1 Sample_NN1 ,_, in_II his_APPGE book_NN1 The_AT Contrarian_NN1 's_GE Guide_NN1 to_II Leadership_NN1 ,_, writes_VVZ ,_, "_" The_AT average_JJ person_NN1 suffers_VVZ from_II three_MC delusions_NN2 :_: (_( 1_MC1 )_) that_CST he_PPHS1 is_VBZ a_AT1 good_JJ driver_NN1 ,_, (_( 2_MC )_) that_CST he_PPHS1 has_VHZ a_AT1 good_JJ sense_NN1 of_IO humor_NN1 ,_, and_CC (_( 3_MC )_) that_CST he_PPHS1 is_VBZ a_AT1 good_JJ listener_NN1 ._. "_" 
I_PPIS1 plead_VV0 guilty_JJ on_II all_DB three_MC counts_NN2 !_! 
I_PPIS1 will_VM never_RR forget_VVI the_AT time_NNT1 a_AT1 lady_NN1 I_PPIS1 worked_VVD with_IW confronted_VVD me_PPIO1 about_II my_APPGE poor_JJ listening_JJ skills_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, "_" John_NP1 ,_, when_RRQ people_NN talk_VV0 to_II you_PPY ,_, often_RR you_PPY seem_VV0 distracted_VVN and_CC look_VV0 around_RP the_AT room_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 're_VBR not_XX sure_JJ that_CST you_PPY are_VBR listening_VVG us_PPIO2 !_! "_" 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ surprised_JJ because_CS ,_, 1ike_FO most_DAT people_NN ,_, I_PPIS1 really_RR did_VDD think_VVI I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 good_JJ listener_NN1 ._. 
The_AT first_MD thing_NN1 I_PPIS1 did_VDD was_VBDZ apologize_VVI ._. 
I_PPIS1 trusted_VVD the_AT opinion_NN1 of_IO the_AT person_NN1 who_PNQS had_VHD confronted_VVN me_PPIO1 ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 knew_VVD it_PPH1 had_VHD taken_VVN courage_NN1 for_IF her_PPHO1 to_TO tell_VVI me_PPIO1 fl_NNU ._. 
(_( I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ her_APPGE boss_NN1 ._. )_) 
The_AT second_MD thing_NN1 I_PPIS1 did_VDD was_VBDZ start_NN1 trying_VVG to_TO change_VVI ._. 
For_IF several_DA2 years_NNT2 I_PPIS1 made_VVD it_PPH1 a_AT1 regular_JJ practice_NN1 to_TO put_VVI an_AT1 "_" L_ZZ1 "_" in_II the_AT corner_NN1 of_IO my_APPGE legal_JJ pad_NN1 anytime_NNT1 I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ in_II a_AT1 meeting_NN1 to_TO remind_VVI myself_PPX1 to_TO listen_VVI ._. 
Sometimes_RT I_PPIS1 would_VM write_VVI "_" LL_NP1 "_" to_TO remind_VVI myself_PPX1 to_TO look_VVI at_II them_PPHO2 while_CS I_PPIS1 listened_VVD ._. 
It_PPH1 made_VVD a_AT1 big_JJ difference_NN1 in_II my_APPGE leadership_NN1 ._. 
Steven_NP1 Sample_NN1 says_VVZ ,_, "_" Many_DA2 leaders_NN2 are_VBR terrible_JJ listeners_NN2 ;_; they_PPHS2 actually_RR think_VV0 talking_VVG is_VBZ more_RGR important_JJ than_CSN listening_JJ ._. 
But_CCB contrarian_JJ leaders_NN2 know_VV0 it_PPH1 is_VBZ better_JJR to_TO listen_VVI first_MD and_CC talk_VVI later_RRR ._. 
And_CC when_CS they_PPHS2 listen_VV0 ,_, they_PPHS2 do_VD0 so_RR artfully_RR ._. "_" 
The_AT positive_JJ benefits_NN2 of_IO being_VBG a_AT1 good_JJ listener_NN1 are_VBR much_RR more_RGR valuable_JJ than_CSN we_PPIS2 often_RR recognize_VV0 ._. 
Recently_RR I_PPIS1 read_VV0 a_AT1 humorous_JJ story_NN1 that_CST Jim_NP1 Lange_NP1 included_VVD in_II his_APPGE book_NN1 Belldership_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 couple_NN1 of_IO rednecks_NN2 are_VBR out_RP in_II the_AT woods_NN2 hunting_NN1 when_CS one_MC1 of_IO them_PPHO2 falls_NN2 to_II the_AT ground_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 does_VDZ n't_XX seem_VVI to_TO be_VBI breathing_VVG and_CC his_APPGE eyes_NN2 are_VBR rolled_VVN back_RP in_II his_APPGE head_NN1 ._. 
The_AT other_JJ guy_NN1 whips_VVZ out_RP his_APPGE cell_NN1 phone_NN1 and_CC calls_VVZ 911_MC ._. 
He_PPHS1 frantically_RR tells_VVZ the_AT operator_NN1 ,_, "_" Bubba_NP1 is_VBZ dead_JJ !_! 
What_DDQ can_VM I_PPIS1 do_VDI ?_? "_" 
The_AT operator_NN1 ,_, in_II a_AT1 calm_NN1 ,_, soothing_JJ voice_NN1 says_VVZ ,_, "_" Just_RR take_VV0 it_PPH1 easy_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 can_VM help_VVI ._. 
First_MD ,_, let_VM21 's_VM22 make_VVI sure_JJ he_PPHS1 's_VBZ dead_JJ ._. "_" 
There_EX is_VBZ silence_NN1 ,_, and_CC then_RT a_AT1 shot_NN1 is_VBZ heard_VVN ._. 
The_AT guy_NN1 's_GE voice_NN1 comes_VVZ back_RP on_II the_AT line_NN1 and_CC says_VVZ ,_, "_" Okay_RR ,_, now_RT what_DDQ ?_? "_" 
As_CSA this_DD1 story_NN1 about_II rednecks_NN2 illustrates_VVZ --_NN1 we_PPIS2 can_VM hear_VVI what_DDQ is_VBZ said_VVN without_IW really_RR listening_VVG to_II what_DDQ is_VBZ being_VBG communicated_VVN ._. 
The_AT hunter_NN1 above_RL heard_VVD what_DDQ the_AT operator_NN1 told_VVD him_PPHO1 and_CC technically_RR did_VDD make_VVI sue_VVI that_CST his_APPGE hunting_NN1 companion_NN1 was_VBDZ dead_JJ ._. 
But_CCB had_VHD he_PPHS1 really_RR been_VBN listening_VVG ,_, I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX think_VVI he_PPHS1 would_VM have_VHI shot_VVN his_APPGE partner_NN1 ._. 
The_AT story_NN1 may_VM seem_VVI silly_JJ ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 contains_VVZ an_AT1 important_JJ truth_NN1 ._. 
When_CS we_PPIS2 hear_VV0 without_IW really_RR listening_VVG ,_, our_APPGE leadership_NN1 is_VBZ bound_VVNK to_TO suffer_VVI --_JJ and_CC so_RR will_VM our_APPGE followers_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 once_RR read_VVD about_II a_AT1 study_NN1 that_CST stated_VVD that_CST we_PPIS2 hear_VV0 half_DB of_IO what_DDQ is_VBZ being_VBG said_VVN ,_, listen_VV0 to_II half_DB of_IO what_DDQ we_PPIS2 hear_VV0 ,_, understand_VV0 half_DB of_IO it_PPH1 ,_, believe_VV0 half_DB of_IO it_PPH1 ,_, believe_VV0 half_DB of_IO that_DD1 ,_, and_CC remember_VV0 only_RR half_DB of_IO that_DD1 ._. 
If_CS you_PPY translate_VV0 those_DD2 assumptions_NN2 into_II an_AT1 eight-hour_JJ work_NN1 day_NNT1 ,_, here_RL is_VBZ what_DDQ it_PPH1 would_VM mean_VVI :_: You_PPY spend_VV0 half_DB your_APPGE day_NNT1 --_NN1 about_RG four_MC hours_NNT2 --_JJ in_II listening_JJ activities_NN2 ._. 
You_PPY hear_VV0 about_RG two_MC hours_NNT2 '_GE worth_NN1 of_IO what_DDQ is_VBZ said_VVN ._. 
You_PPY actually_RR listen_VV0 to_II an_AT1 hour_NNT1 of_IO it_PPH1 ._. 
You_PPY understand_VV0 listen_VV0 to_II an_AT1 hour_NNT1 of_IO it_PPH1 ._. 
You_PPY understand_VV0 only_RR thirty_MC minutes_NNT2 of_IO that_DD1 hour_NNT1 ._. 
You_PPY believe_VV0 only_RR fifteen_MC minutes_NNT2 '_GE worth_NN1 ._. 
And_CC you_PPY remember_VV0 less_DAR than_CSN eight_MC minutes_NNT2 of_IO all_DB that_DD1 is_VBZ said_VVN ._. 
That_DD1 's_VBZ a_AT1 pretty_RG poor_JJ track_NN1 record_NN1 ._. 
And_CC it_PPH1 shows_VVZ that_CST we_PPIS2 all_DB need_VV0 to_TO work_VVI much_RR harder_RRR at_II actively_RR listening_JJ !_! 
WHY_RRQ LISTENERS_NN2 ARE_VBR MORE_RGR EFFECTIVE_JJ LEADERS_NN2 ._. 
Because_II21 of_II22 my_APPGE desire_NN1 to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 more_RGR effective_JJ listener_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 have_VH0 actively_RR observed_VVN leaders_NN2 for_IF years_NNT2 and_CC paid_VVN close_JJ attention_NN1 to_II how_RRQ the_AT effective_JJ ones_NN2 listen_VV0 to_II others_NN2 ._. 
And_CC I_PPIS1 have_VH0 come_VVN to_II some_DD conclusions_NN2 about_II the_AT impact_NN1 of_IO good_JJ listening_NN1 related_VVN to_II leadership_NN1 ._. 
Understanding_VVG People_NN Precedes_VVZ Leading_VVG Them_PPHO2 ._. 
Listening_NN1 Is_VBZ the_AT Best_JJT Way_NN1 to_TO Learn_VV0 ._. 
Listening_NN1 Can_VM Keep_VV0 Problems_NN2 from_II Escalating_JJ ._. 
Listening_JJ Established_JJ Trust_NN1 ._. 
Listening_NN1 Can_VM Improve_VV0 the_AT Organization_NN1 ._. 
KEEP_VV0 YOUR_APPGE MIND_NN1 ON_II THE_AT MAIN_JJ THING_NN1 ._. 
APPLICATION_NN1 EXERCISES_NN2 ._. 
What_DDQ kinds_NN2 of_IO things_NN2 occupy_VV0 your_APPGE time_NNT1 ?_? 
Take_VV0 a_AT1 good_JJ look_NN1 at_II your_APPGE calendar_NN1 and_CC to-do_NN1 lists_VVZ from_II the_AT last_MD month_NNT1 ._. 
Take_VV0 account_NN1 of_IO how_RRQ you_PPY are_VBR spending_VVG your_APPGE time_NNT1 ._. 
For_IF every_AT1 block_NN1 of_IO time_NNT1 ,_, determine_VV0 how_RRQ your_APPGE activities_NN2 could_VM be_VBI categorized_VVN according_II21 to_II22 the_AT following_JJ list_NN1 :_: Something_PN1 I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ told_VVN in_II school_NN1 that_CST I_PPIS1 ought_VMK to_TO do_VDI Something_PN1 other_JJ people_NN want_VV0 me_PPIO1 to_TO do_VDI Something_PN1 I_PPIS1 see_VV0 other_JJ successful_JJ people_NN doing_VDG Something_PN1 I_PPIS1 know_VV0 I_PPIS1 should_VM be_VBI doing_VDG Remember_VV0 ,_, your_APPGE time_NNT1 should_VM be_VBI spent_VVN on_II things_NN2 that_CST are_VBR required_VVN ,_, bring_VV0 a_AT1 high_JJ return_NN1 ,_, or_CC are_VBR highly_RR rewarding_VVG ._. 
Are_VBR you_PPY focused_VVN on_II strengths_NN2 ?_? 
Spend_VV0 some_DD time_NNT1 reflecting_VVG on_II your_APPGE strengths_NN2 ._. 
If_CS you_PPY need_VV0 help_NN1 determining_VVG what_DDQ they_PPHS2 are_VBR ,_, talk_VV0 to_II others_NN2 who_PNQS know_VV0 you_PPY well_RR ._. 
Once_CS you_PPY know_VV0 what_DDQ activities_NN2 play_VV0 to_II your_APPGE strengths_NN2 ,_, then_RT ask_VV0 yourself_PPX1 the_AT following_JJ questions_NN2 :_: Am_VBM I_PPIS1 doing_VDG them_PPHO2 more_RRR or_CC less_DAR ?_? 
Am_VB0 I_PPIS1 developing_VVG them_PPHO2 more_RRR or_CC less_DAR ?_? 
Am_VB0 I_PPIS1 bringing_VVG others_NN2 around_II me_PPIO1 who_PNQS complement_VV0 these_DD2 strengths_NN2 ?_? 
Am_VB0 I_PPIS1 enlisting_VVG others_NN2 who_PNQS compensate_VV0 for_IF my_APPGE weaknesses_NN2 ?_? 
Successful_JJ people_NN focus_VV0 on_II their_APPGE strengths_NN2 ,_, not_XX their_APPGE weaknesses_NN2 ._. 
Are_VBR you_PPY stuck_VVN in_II the_AT middle_NN1 ?_? 
Are_VBR you_PPY determined_VVN to_TO know_VVI everything_PN1 that_CST goes_VVZ on_RP in_II your_APPGE organization_NN1 or_CC department_NN1 ?_? 
Do_VD0 you_PPY get_VVI a_AT1 thrill_NN1 from_II being_VBG the_AT first_MD to_TO know_VVI ?_? 
Do_VD0 you_PPY live_VVI by_II the_AT motto_NN1 "_" If_CS you_PPY want_VV0 something_PN1 done_VDN right_RR ,_, then_RT do_VD0 it_PPH1 yourself_PPX1 "_" ?_? 
If_CS so_RR ,_, you_PPY are_VBR limiting_VVG yourself_PPX1 as_II a_AT1 leader_NN1 ._. 
Begin_VV0 relying_VVG on_II other_JJ people_NN and_CC cultivating_VVG trust_NN1 in_II them_PPHO2 ._. 
If_CS you_PPY do_VD0 n't_XX already_RR have_VHI an_AT1 assistant_NN1 you_PPY can_VM rely_VVI on_RP ,_, them_PPHO2 find_VV0 or_CC develop_VV0 one_PN1 ._. 
MENTORING_NP1 MOMENT_NN1 ._. 
Take_VV0 some_DD time_NNT1 and_CC try_VV0 to_TO look_VVI objectively_RR at_II the_AT people_NN you_PPY 're_VBR mentoring_VVG ._. 
In_II what_DDQ area_NN1 does_VDZ each_DD1 have_VHI the_AT greatest_JJT potential_NN1 to_TO make_VVI a_AT1 contribution_NN1 --_NN1 not_XX just_RR for_IF your_APPGE company_NN1 or_CC department_NN1 ,_, but_CCB in_II life_NN1 ?_? 
Share_VV0 your_APPGE perspective_NN1 with_IW them_PPHO2 and_CC ask_VV0 what_DDQ they_PPHS2 are_VBR doing_VDG to_TO keep_VVI the_AT main_JJ thing_NN1 in_II their_APPGE work_NN1 ._. 
Ask_VV0 them_PPHO2 to_TO describe_VVI specific_JJ steps_NN2 they_PPHS2 have_VH0 taken_VVN to_TO release_VVI less_RGR productive_JJ responsibilities_NN2 to_II others_NN2 ._. 
If_CS they_PPHS2 have_VH0 n't_XX already_RR done_VDN this_DD1 ,_, coach_VV0 them_PPHO2 through_II the_AT process_NN1 ._. 
YOUR_APPGE BIGGEST_JJT MISTAKE_NN1 IS_VBZ NOT_XX ASKING_VVG WHAT_DDQ MISTAKE_VV0 YOU_PPY 'RE_VBR MAKING_VVG ._. 
Recently_RR after_CS I_PPIS1 taught_VVD a_AT1 session_NNT1 on_II conflict_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 young_JJ man_NN1 came_VVD up_II21 to_II22 me_PPIO1 during_II the_AT break_NN1 and_CC said_VVD ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 'm_VBM going_VVGK to_TO start_VVI my_APPGE own_DA organization_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Good_JJ for_IF you_PPY ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 replied_VVD ._. 
"_" Yeah_UH ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 continued_VVD ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 want_VV0 to_TO build_VVI a_AT1 business_NN1 'the_VV0 right_JJ way_NN1 ._. '_" 
That_DD1 way_NN1 I_PPIS1 wo_VM n't_XX have_VHI to_TO deal_VVI with_IW any_DD problems_NN2 ._. "_" 
"_" You_PPY know_VV0 ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 said_VVD as_CSA he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ turning_VVG to_TO leave_VVI ,_, "_" you_PPY 're_VBR making_VVG the_AT mistake_NN1 of_IO thinking_VVG you_PPY wo_VM n't_XX make_VVI any_DD mistakes_NN2 ._. "_" 
