Building a business that is sustainable and profitable is a lot like building a house. Any reputable builder will tell you that everything starts with a solid foundation.
This has been true forever, the bible in Matthew 7:24-27 talks of the importance of strong foundations. Any builder can add on all kinds of fancy extras like siding, appliances windows, technology etc to a house. An experienced builder is crucial to making sure a solid foundation is established. A solid foundation supports everything else if the foundation is weak you get the picture on the left if it is solid you get the picture on the right. I think of the wisdom and self-development that I have gained from my exposure to, study of and work with past mentors several who grace the cover of this moth’s edition..These learnings have shaped who I am today providing me a strong foundation.
This is true of your business as well. Your success is dependent on a foundation that is based on principles that have been developed over time and been successful. This is where learning and modeling the wisdom of past leaders and mentors is crucial to your learning and growing in your business. It is crucial to look at those that have gone before and examine and model their core practices of success.
Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner in the Leadership Challenge 6th Edition notes “as contradictory as it might seem, in aiming for the future, you first need to look back into your past.”
Five times tested principles and five questions we can ask to benefit from the wisdom of masters and build a strong foundation for the success of our business.
Time tested principle # 1 Have a vision
Mary Kay Ash regularly taught that the goal of Mary Kay was to enrich women’s lives”
John Maxwell states his vision for the John Maxwell team is to add value to others.
Learning Question #1 What is your organization’s vision? What is your vision?
Time tested principle # 2 build relationships
Zig Ziglar taught that “people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Mary Kay Ash taught to encourage, grow and connect with people to make them feel special intentionally.
Best selling author and Mentor Dr William Glasser sid it simply “Hackett, It is all relationships’
Learning Question#2 What is your plan to build relationships in your business and your life?
Time tested Principle#3 learn and follow your Business practices
Mary Kay Ash taught that the keys to success where booking selling and recruiting and tracking your activities.
Nicki Keohohuo teaches beginning coaches the value of Listening and practice .She refers to Listening as “heart Centered Listening” being fully present. Nicki also reinforces practice as “practice makes permanent”
Learning Question #3 What are the essential practices of your business and do you practice them?
Time tested principle #4, Success is based on your attitude
Shad Helmstetter taught the value of your self-talk saying “You will become what you think about most”
Henry Ford said it well “if you think you can or you think you can’t you are right”
Zig Ziglar would remind us that our attitude will determine our altitude.
Denis Waitley made this point several times based on his experiences as a pilot
Learning Question #4 What are you doing to develop a positive attitude every day?
Time Tested Principle#5 learn and pass it on
Denis Waitley taught us we should “view life as a continuous learning experience. He also counseled that we must look within for value and beyond ourselves for perspective.
The best example of the wisdom on principle #5 for me comes from one of the last quotes from Mary Kay Ash. I know now that my legacy is assured. The Company has my name but it also has a life of it’s own. And it’s lifeblood is the philosophy that many thousands of women have made part of their lives. They embody that philosophy of sharing and giving and as such it will always live on”
Learning question #5 What are you learning and passing on? What will your legacy be?
I am humbled to look at the cover of this month’s magazine and realized how many of them contributed to my foundation. whose teachings and examples built on the values I learned from my parents of honesty, hard work and respect and expecting I always did my best. There teaching became benchmarks and reminders for me as a coach, leader and trainer leader over the years.
My hope for you is that you reflect on these principles and learning questions as you look at the foundation of your business and maybe your life. Times, trends and events will change. Your foundation will not change. Look to the wisdom of those who came before you to build that strong foundation. the learning questions as they apply to you and your business
Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner in the Leadership challenge 6th Edition note “as contradictory as it might seem, in aiming for the future, you first need to look back into your past.”
Five time tested principles and five questions we can ask to benefit from the wisdom of masters and build a strong foundation for the success of our business.
Time tested principle # 1 Have a vision
Mary Kay Ash regularly taught that the goal of Mary Kay was to enrich women’s lives”
John Maxwell states his vision for the John Maxwell team is to add value to others.
Learning Question #1 What is your organization’s vision? What is your vision?
Time tested principle # 2 build relationships
Zig Ziglar taught that “people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Mary Kay Ash taught to encourage, grow and connect with people to make them feel special intentionally.
Best selling author and Mentor Dr William Glasser sid it simply “Hackett,It is all relationships’
Learning Question#2 What is your plan to build relationships in your business and your life?
Time tested Principle#3 learn and follow your Business practices
Mary Kay Ash taught that the keys to success were booking, selling and recruiting and tracking your activities.
Nicki Keohohou teaches beginning coaches the value of listening and practice. She refers to listening as “Heart-Centered Listening” being fully present. Nicki also reinforces practice as “practice makes permanent”
Learning Question #3 What are the essential practices of your business and do you practice them?
Time tested principle #4, Success is based on your attitude
Shad Helmstetter taught the value of your self-talk saying “You will become what you think about most”
Henry Ford said it well “if you think you can or you think you can not… you are right”
Zig Ziglar would remind us that our attitude will determine our altitude.
Learning Question #4 What are you doing to develop a positive attitude every day?
Time Tested Principle#5 learn and pass it on
Denis Waitley taught us we should “view life as a continuous learning experience. He also counseled that we must “look within for value and beyond ourselves for perspective”.
The best example of the wisdom on principle #5 for me comes from one of the last quotes from Mary Kay Ash.” I know now that my legacy is assured. The Company has my name but it also has a life of its own. And it’s lifeblood is the philosophy that many thousands of women have made part of their lives. They embody that philosophy of sharing and giving and as such it will always live on”
Learning question #5 What are you learning and passing on? What will your legacy be?
I am humbled to look at the cover of this month’s magazine and realized how many of them contributed to my foundation. Their teachings and examples built on the values I learned from my parents of honesty, hard work and respect and expecting I always did my best. There teaching became benchmarks and reminders for me as a coach, leader and trainer leader over the years. The wisdom of those who came before you can build your business foundation. Times, trends and events will change the outside structure of the house. A strong foundation will keep you secure,sustainable and profitable.
In closing I have two hopes for you
- I hope you reflect on these principles and learning questions as you look at the foundation of your business and maybe your life.
- If possible reach out to those who have provided you that wisdom of the ages and thank them for their legacy.
Dr. Hackett is a redirected high school teacher, counselor and administrator, university administrator, and professor teaching doctoral-level leadership classes.
John is currently C.E.O. of Making Connections, a leadership consulting company.
He is an accomplished and experienced DISC consultant coach, trainer, writer, and leader certified by the Maxwell Leadership and the Direct Selling World Alliance.
John has trained, coached, and consulted with school districts, universities, social service agencies, churches, direct sales organizations, police departments, and law firms.
He is a growing, learning entrepreneur in speaking, coaching, and training, passionate about equipping leaders to develop other leaders to serve.
John is a monthly contributor to the Network Marketing Magazine and has written over 140 weekly leadership articles on LinkedIn @drjohnhackett.
He has been married for 45 years to Becki, a 43-year entrepreneur, and has three daughters and two grandsons.
John is also a long-distance bicyclist, an open water swimmer, and an aqua bike triathlon competitor
815 690 7444
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