12 Essential Keys for Unlocking Leadership Excellence. Forword by Lou Holtz.

As I look back on my life, great leaders have always influenced me and many of my decisions. Looking back at the many critical challenges I have faced, the outcomes were the result of the preparation process learned from past and current leaders in my life. On the flipside, even the joyful decisions were influenced by others, as great leaders live in their leadership role all of the time, and live their life accordingly.

Leadership should start with your parents, and then move to teachers and coaches. As a 16-year-old young man working in a restaurant, my first employer was a tremendous leader who instilled in me the tenants of hard work. His leadership provided me with the self-confidence to achieve more. Those of us who have had the opportunity to work among other great leaders are sure to benefit if we so desire. Each leader anyone has worked under has provided some influence on their life. Our rate of success depends on what we retain from those from whom we have learned.

Leaders are needed in every aspect of life. I admire leaders who have the support of their followers, and who have the ability to make other’s lives better. It is not an easy task to be a person who can persuade people to do more. However, good leaders thrive on encouraging others to do more than they ever imagined possible. Leaders become permanent students of their profession, building teams of successful people.

For years, sales was my business, but I had always dreamed of owning my own business. I focused on my goal, worked on my leadership skills, and went to work. Twelve years later, in 1985, I purchased J & J Metro, a moving and storage company in Orlando, Florida. I didn’t know much about the moving and storage business, but knew it involved leading and dealing with people and sales. A company needs good employees to grow; therefore, you must communicate, as the leader or boss, to your employees the benefits to all of hard work and good service.

The people of J & J Metro have worked hard with me to insure its growth. As time goes on, you look for other avenues to find success in leadership, as success in business is only one part of life. There is also success found in family, church, and the community.

With a wonderful wife, Anne, and six children, I am fortunate to have a successful family life. As for community, I have my church, civic groups, and a volunteer fraternal organization, The Shriners. The Shriners is best known as the group of men who wear funny red hats and drive small cars in parades, but this is only a small part of what their fraternity and philanthropy provide. The Shriners are devoted to service to the community.

Across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, there are 22 Shrine Hospitals for Children. These hospitals treat children with catastrophic burn injuries, orthopedic problems, and spinal cord injuries. There is no charge to any of these children’s families because these men in the funny red hats raise hundreds of millions of dollars to pay for construction of the facilities and treatment for the children.

My greatest accomplishment in life was being elected by the members of the Shrine fraternity to an International office. As a member of the Boards of Directors for the Shriners of North America and Shriners Hospitals for Children, a 21-member body that helps govern the Shriners fraternity and hospitals, I have found great compassion in giving back. As a member of these boards, there is no pay. All time is donated. It’s not about money; it’s about leadership and giving children better lives.

Reading this book will bring you to realize how leadership is not about power, position, or an inflated ego. Rather, you will come to understand that the greatest of leaders are those who lead by influence - through methods of motivating others with passion to be better even than they themselves thought they could be. The true value of a leader is not judged while serving, but it is determined by how those he has influenced perform once he is no longer there.

In this book you will find key ideas and proven principals that will unlock your mind, so your leadership skills will flourish. Each chapter will inspire you to dream, and to turn those dreams into leadership action that will take you to success. You will come to understand the importance of being a leader, the respect you will gain, and the opportunities you will have to give back. These key principals will help you to make significant changes in your life that will, in turn, improve the lives of others.

The book covers 12 important aspects for improving your leadership skills. Each chapter contains suggestions and examples to help guide you to fulfillment. Each chapter stands on its own, allowing you to use it as a handy daily reference guide or to share with friends. I’m asking you to make the commitment to become a better leader for the benefit of those around you.

Whether you wish to improve your leadership skills personally or as part of a team, you will enjoy this book. A new focus will emerge in your thinking of leading people. Your life will be improved. Sit down and begin reading. Take notes and share your new found knowledge with others. Be all you can be in life. Others are depending on you. When it comes to dreaming of becoming a better leader, this is an excellent place to start. Just start reading and enjoy!