Where have all the small business leaders gone?

In Lee Iacocca's new book, "Where Have All The Leaders Gone?" Iacocca questions much of what is going on in the USA today. He explores everything from the war in Iraq to childhood obesity and wonders if we have any leaders today capable of continuing America's greatness. His insights are eye-opening and downright scary. I hope his book becomes required reading in every high school because it is not only a synopsis of everything wrong with our country today but good ideas on how to reverse the current trend of higher waistlines and lower math & science scores.

Anyway, I tried to relate much of Iacocca's thoughts into my own business and asked myself, "Am I a good leader?"

Well, I guess you'd have to ask my employees, but here's what I believe makes a good leader. A good leader:

1) Does not try to solve every problem but rather teaches others to solve their own. This takes time and practice.
2) Truly loves his/her employees and they know it. If a guy came into the business and started shooting, the leader would take a bullet for an employee. They know this too.
3) Keep his ego in in back pocket. If you have to tell someone you're a leader, you're not.
4) Is one of them. A good leader will not ask something of an employee that he would not do on his own. They know this too. The kick is that, if the good leader in empowering effectively, he will rarely have to do these things.
5) Focuses on his strengths and surrounds himself with people that fill in his gaps. Most importantly, he actually listens to these people.
6) He works with others to find their strengths and has a skill that brings out their strongest potentials.
7) During the tough times, is intense and passionate, while simultaneously calm and cool.
8) Has values, moral and integrity and employees know it. People have a hard time following someone who says one thing but does another.
9) Can give honest and tough feedback, in a helpful, learning way. He doesn't beat around the bush, yet he doesn't intentionally try to make the person cry either.
10) Knows when to slow down and finish something before moving onto the next big thing.
11) Surrounds himself with people that challenge and question everything. Has a cadre of “no” men and women.
12) Has a mastermind alliance. This is an informal group of other leaders that he can contact for advice, inspiration and mentorship.
13) Always learning. He's the geek with business books on tape in his car and on his iPod. He attends classes and workshops to improve his skills. He joins organizations that can help him grow as a leader (Like EO - Entrepreneurs' Organization) and he reads in his field every morning.

Those are my thoughts on leadership on this Monday morning at 6am. I'll e-mail them to Lee Iacocca and see if he can add any...

Giving Back

There is a new book out called “The Secret.” You have probably heard of it. I think the stuff in it is great, except I don't think it's much of a secret. I have known for years, that the more goodness you put into the universe, the more it gives you back.

When I started The Next Step Magazine, I was so grateful to have the opportunity to start a business, I felt the need to give back right away. I had always thought about volunteering at Camp Good Days and Special Times, a local camp for kids with cancer. I decided that within one minute I would find a phone book and call to volunteer. It was one of the best experiences of my life.

I originally thought it would be a very sad experience; considering that many of these kids had terminal cancer. But I never felt more alive. These kids were playing, laughing and running around like they did not have a problem in the world. I thought to myself that I would never complain about any of my "pressing problems" again. This experience has also left me with little patience for healthy people who incessantly complain about how "tough" their life is. I want to smack them and say "Get a grip you fool!"

And sometimes I do. I also have fewer friends than I used to, but that's another post.

Anyway, the point is that I feel it is my duty to invest some of my success in others. I feel so incredibly lucky to be here in a country where anyone with a good idea who wants to work her/her posterior off, can start a successful business and create the life they desire for themselves and their family. How lucky is that? That's not possible in most countries!

To show my gratitude, I have become involved in many volunteer and fund raising activities. Just yesterday, I volunteered my day to a city elementary school and did J.A. for a Day (Junior Achievement). Once again, it not only made an impact on 20 fifth graders, it left me feeling incredible!

To be clear, I am not saying that you should give back only to feel good or get more out of the universe. That sounds rather selfish! Those outcomes are just icing on the cake. The core of what you are doing is filling in the pieces of the world that need you, and it turn, the universe will give you the pieces that you need when the time is right.

There is nothing worse than a successful person that does not give back. I assure you their success is fleeting.

If you liked the "The Secret," I suggest you read some of the original writings on this subject. I suggest "The Strangest Secret" by Earl Nightingale, and "The Greatest Secret in the World" by Og Mandino.

I leave you with the question, “What deposit are you going to make in the universe today?”

The theme of my blog

Welcome to my first official post! My mission in writing this blog is to give insights to real world of small business. Too often we hear stories of huge colossal companies and it's hard for "Joe Regular" to relate. I mean really - how interesting is it for you to read about two massive companies merging to create millions of dollars for the shareholders and the CEOs, then only to find out that it made no sense for those companies to merge so they split apart again?

Do those stories really affect you? Probably not.

In my blog, Confessions of a Grassroots Entrepreneur, I will talk about the real experiences I have with my small company. You'll feel my passion, hear about my frustrations and challenges and ride the roller coaster of small business with me.

Some days are great. We were just named a finalist as Periodical of the Year by The Association of Educational Publishers. The other finalists are The New York Times/Upfront Magazine, The Wall Street Journal for Teens and Scholastic. Not bad company, huh?! The day I heard that news was a GREAT day.

Some days are not so great. Like when payroll is due on Friday and on Thursday morning, you're praying for checks to come in so you can make a deposit. Those days are not so good!

So welcome to my world. Whether, you're one of our student readers of Next Step, an advertiser, an aspiring or current entrepreneur or just visiting, I'll hope you find this blog useful, interesting and inspiring to you!