Increasing the Effectiveness and Enhancing the Lives of CEOs
and business owners.

Contents of this issue...
   .. Welcome - A few words from the publisher, Gary Lockwood
   .. Thought-Starter -  "Letting Go"
   .. Guest article - "6 Key Traits of Leadership"
   .. CEO Resources
   .. Quotes to use in your staff meeting this month
   .. Humor to lighten up the executive suite
   .. Contact the publisher
   .. Subscribe and unsubscribe instructions

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      WELCOME to this issue of the CEO Success Report!
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Hello again. I'm Gary Lockwood, President of CEO Success.

Welcome back once again to the CEO Success Report! I know you
have no shortage of material to read and I thank you for choosing
to read our newsletter.

We work hard to provide practical ideas, thought-provoking concepts
and useful information for you. Please give me some feedback
about this issue. Send your comments to
   mailto:Gary@CEOSuccess.com

Look at your appointment calendar. See any "white space" there?

If you're like most busy CEOs and business professionals, you
are booked non-stop for meetings, luncheons, dinner meetings,
charity functions, planning sessions and... Well, you get the idea.

My "thought-starter" in today's issue is about how you can
create more-than-enough time to do the things you want and
need to do.   Enjoy!

What makes a great "Leader"? What do leaders actually do? Our
guest article this month is by David Goldsmith of MetaMatrix
Consulting Group Inc. David's article examines the most
significant traits of effective leaders.

By knowing the traits of leaders, you may be able to build these
tools into your life for future personal success. An awareness of
the 6 traits of leadership will enhance your ability be more
successful in a leadership role.

Read more about David at the end of his article.

I hope you enjoy receiving these articles and ideas to
help you sharpen your thinking about being an effective CEO.

My wish is that you use the ideas in the CEO Success Report to
get the results you really want. If you want some help in putting
them into practice, or if you have questions, email or call.

As you know, our specialty is Increasing the Effectiveness
and Enhancing the Lives of CEOs and business owners.

Enjoy this issue with my compliments.  May I ask a small favor?
Please forward this issue to other CEOs and company presidents
who may be interested in receiving these messages.  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Gary Lockwood, President
CEO Success

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       This month's THOUGHT-STARTER
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          "Letting Go"
          By Gary Lockwood

Look at your appointment calendar. See any "white space"?

If you're like most busy CEOs and business professionals, you
are booked non-stop for meetings, luncheons, dinner meetings,
charity functions, planning sessions and... Well, you get the idea.
In between the bookings, you scramble to keep up with projects,
reviews, financial reports, investors, staff, customers and suppliers.

Tired yet? This weariness can wreak havoc on your business.
Consider the symptoms of fatigue: lack of innovation, irritability,
reduced productivity, and stress. The list goes on. And we are
frequently unaware of how run down we are getting.

We are moving away from the industrial age into the information
age, yet the work ethic that most of us grew up with taught us to
maximize work time - time at the factory or the office. Even our
language reflects the inherent value judgment of time away
from work. We call non-work time "off-time" or "down-time".

The emergence of creativity, ideas, and information as our most
valuable resources, and the pervasiveness of the global, 24-hour
business world has changed our concept of "time equals money".
Now, it's "results equals money". And we all know that more time
at the office does not mean more results. In fact, it often means
fewer results and more mistakes.

Build some "white space" in your life. Build reserves of time.
Create more-than-enough time to do the things you want and
need to do.

Let's get something straight first. Building a reserve of something
you need in your life is only one part of the puzzle. The other piece
is to identify what is draining your reserves. If you're pouring into
the top of a leaky bucket, you won't make much progress.

Let's look at how to create reserves of time. Many of my new
coaching clients complain of having too little time. Their "time tank"
is running on empty, so they feel uptight, frustrated, flustered,
pulled in every direction, and tired. Often, this is the first thing
we work on together. Clearly, a reserve of time would reduce
the stress.

So, how do you do it?

Start by plugging the leaks. Let go of some of the activities that
are consuming your time. Many of today's high performers seem
to have a common thread: the "Superman/Superwoman" ideal;
i.e., Taking on everything and trying to get it done by tomorrow.

Success or failure often seems to be measured by the state of
"busyness". Face it; you can't do justice to everything at once and
you often don't have perspective of all you have going on. It's like
tossing another ball to the juggler...33 at once for the average
busy executive. Focus on what counts. Take aggressive action
to let go. Here are some possibilities:

* Let go of tasks that someone else can do - Good delegation
is a key skill for managers, yet the average manager spends 45%
of his or her time on tasks that could be done by a staffer. "I can
do it better and faster", you say. Sure you can, but ultimately, you
are judged on what you can cause to happen, not just what you
can do on your own. As a general rule of thumb, in non-critical
cases, if another person can accomplish a task 80% as well
as you, delegate.

* Let go of your need to say "Yes" to every request - Those around
you will give you all the work you are willing to take. This is true
in both our business and personal lives. Some of the most
stressed people around can't say no to the next fund-raiser, the
next committee, the Little League, the church, etc., etc., etc.
Politely, but firmly say "No". Examine all the organizations where
you spend your time. Which ones can you "let go"?

* Let go of some meetings - The typical manager spends 17
hours each week in meetings plus 6.3 hours getting ready for
those meetings. Nearly a third of that time in meetings is wasted.
That works out to be about six full weeks of the year of useless
meeting time. You've seen the symptoms: hastily called meetings,
no ending time stated, no agenda, no official record of what was
done or said, no followup. If even one hour per week is saved,
it could mean two additional effective workdays per year!

Skip some of the meetings or send someone else.

* Let go of interruptions - Interruptions can drain 1-2 hours a day.
Rather than spend time with anyone who happens to stop by,
close the door, turn off the phone or work from home one day
per week.

* Let go of the clutter - Is your desk or credenza piled with pending
and unfinished work that will be done when you "get around to it?"
The average businessperson spends 3 hours each week looking
for things plus 2 hours being distracted by the stuff lying around.
The most effective people work from a clean desk. Having an
uncluttered desk helps you stay focused on your most important
project.

* Let go of useless tasks - quit doing some of the routine things
you do just because "that's what I've always done". Practice good
priority management. Plan each day to stay focused on those
tasks that will move you toward your goals. Watch for tasks that
can be delegated or simply dropped.

* Let go of "Crises management" - Ever feel that you're leaving
a trail of unfinished projects, unreturned phone calls, unread mail,
partially completed reports? Crises arise from a job we left
unfinished to work on another unfinished task. Another term
for crisis management is "fire fighting."

Most of this is really caused by losing focus of true priorities.
Learn to tell the difference between "urgent" and "important".

Bottom line... Many people pay a heavy price for their success -
poor health, failed marriages, neglected friendships, no self-
development in any area except business. Start today to plug
the leaks and create ample reserves of time for yourself.

Let go!


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          Guest Article
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     6 Key Traits of Leadership
     by David Goldsmith

Business leaders throughout the ages have looked for the magic
key to defining, finding and working with leaders. Courses are
taught to create awareness about leadership. We have high
school programs, to infuse leadership early in a student's
development. We created leadership studies in college hoping
that by studying leaders we will once again create the ultimate
leader. Today you cannot find a Fortune 500 corporation that does
not spend a fortune to find the key to creating great leaders.

In essence, we find that most of the quandary over leadership is
can it be taught. Can we make people better leaders or just better
at executing the new advancement of the day? Authors, in turn,
spend countless hours trying to find the next buzzword to replace
famous well-known characters and get on the speaking circuit.


A friend, Ian Chisolm, took it upon himself to a simple equation
for what leaders do to enhance their position and to get others
to follow. The objective was to question leaders of our time to
find out what dominant traits exist in people who have made the
transition.

In most cases you will find that leadership is a "personality type"
that can be nurtured. Sometimes, an awareness of the 6 traits
of leadership will enhance one's ability to overcome or develop
parts of their being that will make them more successful in
a leadership role.

On a trip to North Carolina to speak on leadership, the 6 traits
kept on rolling around in my head. Could anyone define any
given leader by their innate ability to capture a high degree of
all 6? The answer was yes. Leaders can be defined by 6 basic
characteristics: Awareness, Focus, Creativity, Integrity, Self-
discipline, and Perseverance. Each can be enhanced by practice
and education. But most importantly the 6 must be prominent in
the personality and everyday living.

1. Awareness: Leaders are aware of the human influence. They
are aware of their surroundings and quite capable of reacting to
situations that arise. Being "connected" allows the leader to be
reactive and proactive.


2. Focus: Leaders are able to focus on their project at hand. This
focus is utilized to manage a group of people or to move people
into combat. In each situation, energies are channeled into
a desired result. (How they perform these feats is another issue.)


3. Creativity: Leaders are able to move time, resources, energy
and ideas in methods others thought impossible or implausible.
In any case, the ability to create opportunity distinguishes their
methods from following the crowd.


4. Integrity: Leaders have a "community" sense of right and
wrong. Each culture and environment has a set of standards
in which they believe. The leader not only mirrors their followers,
in many cases the leader enhances a particular trait to a higher
degree.


5. Self-discipline: Leaders have the one true trait that makes
them start a project, task or idea. How many people have said
that they've had "that" idea years ago, only to be purchasing
another's invention? Self-discipline requires the maturity to do
what is needed, not always what is desired in the present moment.


6. Perseverance: Leaders have follow through. They are the
people who, without fail, should be counted on to complete
a project. They have to set a schedule and complete whatever
comes along (even when facing obstacles.)


These 6 traits haven't changed in thousands of years. We're now
looking for leaders to fill certain shoes and are having trouble
finding them. By knowing the traits of leaders, you may be able
to "build" these tools into your life for future personal success.

We need to redefine what we are looking for in order to find it.
_______________________________________
David & Lorrie Goldsmith are founders of the Syracuse based
MetaMatrix Consulting Group Inc. Their firm specializes in
consulting and speaking services. They can be reached at
315-476-0510  888-777-8857 or emailed at
   dgoldsmith@davidgoldsmith.com


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        RESOURCES for CEOs
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

     Company Sleuth
            http://www.companysleuth.com

Company Sleuth is an online covert information specialist
providing free, legal, inside information on publicly-traded
companies. At the site, users have the ability to stakeout and
track company business activities, financial moves, Internet
dealings and legal actions.

Daily customized updates are delivered via email or wireless
application. After selecting the companies you would like to track,
Company Sleuth will deliver information on new patents, SEC
filings, earnings estimates, discussion group postings, stock
quotes, analyst ratings, trademarks, job postings, press
releases, business news, stock rumors and more.

Check it out at   http://www.companysleuth.com


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      QUOTES to use in your staff meeting this month
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  Don't worry about people stealing your ideas.
  If your ideas are any good,
  you'll have to ram them down people's throats.
                           Howard Aiken

  Seventy percent of success in life is showing up.
                           Woody Allen

  A conclusion is simply the place
  where someone got tired of thinking.
                           Arthur Block

  I have learned to use the word "impossible"
  with the greatest caution.
                           Werner von Braun



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      HUMOR to lighten up the executive suite
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 Resumania
 ---------
 "Resumania" is a term coined by Mr. Robert Half, founder of RHI
 Consulting's parent company, to describe the unintentional bloopers
 that often appear on job candidates' resumes, job applications and
 cover letters.  Here's some examples:

 "I perform my job with effortless efficiency, effectiveness,
 efficacy, and expertise."
 (And an eye on the "e" section of the dictionary, evidently.)

 "Insufficient writing skills, thought processes have slowed down
 some. If I am not one of the best, I will look for another
opportunity."
 (No problem ...)

 "Seek challenges that test my mind and body, since the two are
 usually inseparable."
 (Glad to hear it.)

 "My compensation should be at least equal to my age."
 (And bonuses "tied to" his shoe size?)

 "I am very detail-oreinted."
 (With the possible exception of spelling)

 "I can play well with others."
 (We'll be sure to tell your mommy.)

 "Married, eight children. Prefer frequent travel."
 (A new twist on work-family balance.)

 "Objection: To utilize my skills in sales."
 (Have you considered law school?)

 "My salary requirement is $34 per year."
 (They say money isn't everything.)

 "Served as assistant sore manager."
 (Ouch.)

 "Work history: Bum. Abandoned belongings and led nomadic lifestyle."
 (So you're willing to travel?)

 "Previous experience: Self-employed - a fiasco."
 (Definitely to the point.)

 "I vow to fulfill the goals of the company as long as I live."
 (And they say loyalty is hard to come by.)

 "Reason for leaving last job: Pushed aside so the vice president's
 girlfriend could steal my job."
 (We're glad you're not bitter.)

                    ***excerpts from: http://www.joker.org/  ***


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       CONTACT CEO Success
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Gary Lockwood is the publisher of the CEO Success Report.
   Email:  mailto:Gary@CEOSuccess.com
   Office: (800) 272-1575 (USA) *  (909) 984-3344
   Fax: (815) 361-3041

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         Your Comments, please?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I appreciate feedback, corrections, and comments about the
CEO Success Report. Please send your thoughts to:
  Gary@CEOSuccess.com <mailto:Gary@CEOSuccess.com>

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
      Subscribe  and unsubscribe  instructions
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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