The first four terms above have many commonalities. For example, they are buzzwords that are frequently used. Secondly, there are no shortage of books, courses and presenters aimed at teaching people how to be better at all of the above. As such, there are no shortage of "experts" in each field to whom we are to look for direction in each area.
One of the things, however, I noticed some time back, is that in many if not most of the material on these topics, you could simply substitute either of the words, "salsperson, leader, parent or coach" and the material would still make perfect sense.
This made me realize that, in fact, they are all referring to the same thing using different terminology! Interestingly, each term has varying levels of prestige associated with it. Being a leader for example, sounds a lot cooler than being a salesperson, and yet, if you look at what either one accomplishes when done properly, you will see that it is virtually identical. (as would be the case with coaching or parenting)
Another disctinction that I've made in my life, is that, virtually all of us, already know, at least in principle, many (most?) of the things that we need to do in order to lead successful, happy lives. Our challenge is generally not ignorance, it is procrastination!
Leaders/Salespeople/coaches/parents roles are simply to get us to do the things we already know we should be doing but are putting off till later!! (OK, in the case of parenting of small children, there will obviously be a factor of education as well.)
This is accomplished through various methods including inspiration, motivation, making people accountable, values clarification and role modelling.
The latter, role modelling, is one of the most powerful; we all know the saying, "lead by example"... and in previous posts, I've talked about "the greatest gift one human being can give to another is the sight of an achievement". Seeing someone role model, the "ideal man", the "hero", opens up the possibility for us to do the same, and helps release us from the self created bonds that are at the root of the procrastination habit.
That is why I suggest a better term for all of the above: HEROES! (my blog is called this for a reason!)
Ayn Rand's quote, " My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute.", summarizes everything I am trying to say better than I ever could.
With that, I will end by making a shameless plug for my efforts in recruiting "Heroes, Changing Lives Forever" (the mission statement for my Financial Centre.
This blog entry is a perfect description for the type of men and women Sun Life pays me to find, in order to be make available to them the career opportunity involved in the very noble activity of helping people reach financial security by helping them "to do the things they already know they should be doing but are putting off."
It is a given that the more intelligent a creature is, the more long term is their perception of reality. Animals live in the range of the moment, as unfortunately some people seem to as well, but wise men and women look to the present and the future, having both short and long term goals, and it is difficult to think of a more noble activity then helping those people to reach the financial goals that will change not only their lives, but those of generations to come.
All those interested in finding out more should go to www.sunlife.ca/richard.chartrand
If you are reading this from another province, just go to www.sunlife.ca and if from another country, look into many of the fine financial institutions in your country who may be offering a career opportunity that has been called by many in our industry, as "one of the best kept secret opportunities anywhere."
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