12 Habits of Extraordinarily Motivated People

12 Habits of Extraordinarily Motivated People

Highly successful people are extremely motivated to succeed. Learn their secrets and put them to work for you

Extraordinarily motivated people are driven to go above and beyond; they are trusted by others, focused and have great confidence in their own abilities. They dream of endless possibilities, and tend to be extremely satisfied with their lives. They are more likely to receive a raise or a dream project, maintain longer relationships, and get promoted or recruited more than their unmotivated peers.

"The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... These are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence." --Confucius

Seeking and achieving your dreams means you are really living your life. Ready to get motivated and become all you can be? Try some or all of these habits of extraordinarily motivated people and perhaps you too will find the courage to live a life of fulfilled dreams.

1. They're internally motivated.

It is their intrinsic desire to be their best selves and succeed that drives their motivation. They are internally driven--not pushed--toward new adventures, the unfolding journey, and the possible outcomes--they relish challenging themselves, learning, and exploring.

2. They don't waste time judging.

They objectively observe the successes and mistakes of others and learn from them instead of judging or comparing themselves. They don't waste their time with judgmental, gossipy people either.

3. They are humble.

They are willing to admit they made a mistake and apologize. They encourage feedback from others and use it to take steps in the right direction.

4. They look at the upside.

Instead of focusing on what's not working and bad experiences--which so many of us tend to do--they instead focus on what is working and their successes. If they find themselves overthinking a miscalculation, they automatically flip a switch and think about those things they did do right.

5. They are authentic.

They are true to themselves despite what others think--they don't live their lives solely to please others.

6. They push beyond their comfort zone.

Extraordinarily motivated people face discomfort head on--they never choose the easy route--to get what they want. They push themselves out of their comfort zone and get rid of those annoying internal voices that say, "You are limited in what you can do." They trust their abilities and know they will come out on top.

7. They continue to learn.

They read a lot and are brilliant observers--they are always watching and searching for new, more efficient, and faster ways to achieve. They understand that in order to grow as a person, they must always continue to learn.

8. They know what they want.

They have a clear vision of what they want their lives to look like and who they want to be. Their clarity comes with the wisdom to know what things to harness and what things to avoid. Their mottos are, "Never say never" and "Anything is possible."

9. They don't give up.

When they stumble over that proverbial bump in the road, they problem solve, come up with a plan, take action, and get past it. They understand that a sure way to lose a battle is to quit--which is not a 

part of their vocabulary or an option.

10. They don't blame others.

They never blame others for their failures. They understand that ultimately they alone are in charge of their actions and choices and no other.

11. They take time for themselves.

They know that in order to stay motivated and on top of their game, they have to carve out time for themselves. Rewards of time away from it all and taking care of themselves are more important to them than material possessions.

12. They surround themselves with motivators.

Their friends are those who are trustworthy, positive, supportive, and bring out the best in them unconditionally. Their friends help them take on the world side by side and, when needed, help them get back on their feet again.

By Peter Economy

Source: Inc.

5 Tricks to Maximize Your Time in the Office

5 Tricks to Maximize Your Time in the Office
Every entrepreneur knows what it’s like to have too much to do in too little time.

During the startup phase of my business, this was my story as well. However, after experimenting with various techniques to manage myself and my work, I implemented the concepts below and ever since, I’ve been able to accomplish my most important work with minimal stress -- both in and out of the office.

Related: 4 Ways to Max Out the 40-Hour Workweek

1. Understand your priorities.

The first step in maximizing your time is knowing what you need to do. One way to do this is to come up with a job description and project list, both in priority order. A job description clearly lists the major responsibilities you have on a recurring basis. A project list records the projects you’re currently working on. (Try never to have more than four projects going at once.) Together, the job description and project list should cover between 80 and 90 percent of what you should be doing on a daily basis, save for the random things and busy work that inevitably come up. With this in hand, you’ll be able to decide what’s most important for you to focus on in the limited time you have.

2. Plan ahead.

Set aside a time once a week to plan for the upcoming week. Based on your job description and your projects, as well as your long-term goals take time, preferably at the end of every week, to plan the upcoming week. Start by asking what are the most critical items you have to get done to move your projects along, and what are the most critical functions of your job. Prioritize this list so that the most important items are at the top. Tool recommendations are any.do (web and app) or Asana (web and app).

Related: With a Little Focus You Can Turn Workplace Distractions to Your Advantage

3. Schedule dates with yourself.

Once you know what you need to do for the next week, block off time for each major task you’ve planned. Keep in mind: Things almost always take longer than expected. Just face the fact the week before, go back to your job description and project list, and prioritize ruthlessly. When I’m doing this for myself or with my clients, I advise not to plan more than three or four critical items for any one day, or more than twenty critical tasks for a week. Tool recommendations: Google Calendar and Outlook.

4. Block time for recurring tasks.

The first time you plan like this, you’ll want to block out repeating times for recurring tasks -- including responding to email, paying bills and prospecting -- that you know you have to do. If you get a lot of email, schedule a block of time every day, preferably at the same time each day, to deal with your inbox. If you’re in sales and have to reach out to five new prospects a day, set up a recurring time in your calendar for it. It’s easy to forget to plan time for these types of recurring daily tasks, but it’s just as important to account for them as it is for project work.

5. Leave empty space.

Once you get adept at planning in this way, you’ll be tempted to take it too far by scheduling every minute of every day. Don’t do that. It’s a really bad idea, as things always come up. Maybe an important prospect comes by unannounced to chat. Maybe your kid gets sick and you have to stay home. Maybe you just have a slow day and are not able to get through everything you planned. Whatever the case, no week ever turns out exactly as planned, so leave some extra space so one unexpected event doesn’t throw off your entire week.

If you implement the above strategies, your to-dos will be aligned with your major business priorities. You’ll have ample time to get things done and enough time to allow for unexpected things to come up.

By Jay Bacrania

Source: Entrepreneur

The Mindy Kaling Guide to Entrepreneurial Domination

The Mindy Kaling Guide to Entrepreneurial Domination
By her own admission, Mindy Kaling is an unlikely celebrity.

She’s even more of an unlikely leader. The daughter of first-generation Indian immigrants with an Ivy-league education in (gasp) playwriting, Mindy is the antithesis of just about every Hollywood stereotype there is.

Still, the creator, producer, writer and star of FOX’s The Mindy Projectdoesn’t shy away from the responsibility her entrepreneurial fame entails.

Related: Success Lessons From 2 Innovators Who Came Out Swinging

What can the world-dominating success of an unlikely entrepreneur teach us?

1. Be passionate

As trite as it might sound, nothing trumps passion. Carmine Gallo, in his insightful book Talk Like TED, lays it out plain:

"In any language, on any continent, in every country, those speakers who genuinely express their passion and enthusiasm for the topic are the ones who stand apart as inspiring leaders."

Gallo’s point is that while mastery of a particular skill gives people a “platform,” it’s the passion that undergirds that mastery that makes them “connect.” Why? Because passion is contagious. People love it.

So, what inspires Mindy? The answer (as unlikely as it sounds) is tragedy.

Related: 9 Traits That Will Lead You to Success

Two years ago, on the very day The Mindy Project was green lit by FOX, Mindy’s mother -- an obstetrician -- passed away from pancreatic cancer.

However, far from undoing her, her mother’s death became fuel for the fire. As Mindy explained, “My dream is to be able to become so famous that I can actually make a difference in pancreatic cancer research.”

In other words, rarely will our skills be coterminous with our passion. Mindy is a master at comedy. And yet it’s what lies behind her mastery -- the dream to make a difference -- that really set her apart.

What’s yours?

2. Be everywhere

You’ve heard the old adage: “Jack of all trades. Master of none.”

Now, I’m not one to buck tradition, but in Mindy’s case, the proof’s in the pudding.

In a recent Elle Magazine cover story, Bela Bajaria, executive vice president of Universal Television, described the staggering extent of Mindy’s on and off-set omnipresence:

"She’s in the writer’s room, she’s on set, she’s in postproduction, she’s e-mailing studio and network executives at two in the morning. … She’s so creative, but she has an appreciation and understanding of the business part, too."

Getting your hands dirty lies at the core of all genuine success, especially entrepreneurial successful. Such ethos is risky because it means going “out there” into the real world -- into the lives, workplaces, and trenches of the people you work with and for.

The classic example of getting out there was Richard Anderson’s miraculous turnaround of Delta Airlines. Anderson, who took over as CEO in 2007 just two years after Delta filed for bankruptcy, credits a major portion of his success to his monthly cockpit rides with Delta’s pilots and a single two-day event in which he solicited suggestions from over 2,000 employees.

Related: How to Think, Train and Thrive Like a Champion

Sure being everywhere is scary. But don’t let that fear hold you back.

3. Be a gangster

This wonderful nugget comes from B. J. Novak, Mindy’s one-time squeeze and current co-collaborator. “She’s a gangster,” Novak explains, “This is not a girl who waits by the phone. This is a girl who picks up the phone and calls whoever she wants.”

Case in point, when Mindy wanted long-time friend James Franco to guest star but his schedule wouldn’t allow it, no wasn't an option.According to Franco, “She just made it happen.”

In other words, to be successful you gotta know what you want and gotta go after it.

It’s absolutely insane how few people can actually articulate what they want. And yet, having a clear, impassioned vision for where you want to go is the very first step in getting there. In fact, as author and consultant Warren Bennis famously wrote, “Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” Without vision, the people perish.

But being a gangster means more than just knowing what you want. It also mean getting it.

4. Be voracious

Alongside her aforementioned omnipresence, Mindy is also a voracious learner.

Related: The 4 Habits You Need to Be Successful

As Novak tells Elle, “She has a big me-too-ism in her. She always wants to know what everyone else is doing and if that’s more fun.”

The discipline of lifelong learning is a constant refrain among the world’s most successful people. Steve Jobs’ famous two-part takeaway from his 2005 Stanford Commencement Address captured this principle perfectly: “Stay hungry. Stay foolish.”

The problem with being successful is just that: “being.”

As soon as you get full or get smart -- as soon as you arrive -- you’ve lost it. The key is to cultivate your hunger … and your foolishness. Always be willing to learn, to grow, to make mistakes, to admit limitations, to embrace other people’s ideas, to do what’s new and uncomfortable and to pursue humility as an end in itself.

5. Be noble

A lot can be said about Mindy’s nobility. In fact, a lot is said.

There was her epic commencement speech at Harvard Law Schoolearlier this year: “Please, just try to be the kind of people that give advice to celebrities, not the other way around.”

There was the controversy surrounding the Elle magazine cover story: “What, Elle, you can't put her big, fat body on the magazine?”

But, perhaps the best example came a few days ago when she stopped by HuffPost Live and revealed that her character’s on-screen love interest Danny and her wouldn’t be splitting up for the sake of ratings. As Mindy explained:

"A lot of shows I think break characters up for no reason because the show has to last for seven or eight years. We thought, no. People can still be interesting when they are together."

While it might not seem like a big deal -- certainly not as big a deal as beauty and body image -- Mindy’s bravery to stick to her guns, to be an “artist” (even when her art is a weekly sitcom) speaks volumes about what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur.

As Mindy told Lena Dunham in a Rolling Stone interview:

"I love women who are bosses and who don't constantly worry about what their employees think of them. I love women who don't ask, “Is that OK?” after everything they say. I love when women are courageous in the face of unthinkable circumstances."

Call it credibility. Call it courage. Call it ethics. Call it a backbone. Heck call it whatever you want ...Success by any other name -- unlikely or not -- would certainly smell as sweet.

By Aaron Orendorff

Source: Entrepreneur

Why You Should Never Wear Orange To An Interview

Why You Should Never Wear Orange To An Interview:
Why Your Brown "Power Suit" Could Be Making You Look Passive, Why You Should Ditch Navy If You're In A Creative Field And Never Wear Orange

Color has a lot of power. It can calm you, make you hungry, and even put you in the mood for love, color psychologists say. But can it get you a job?

While it won’t make up for lack of experience or qualifications, wearing the right color can start you off on the right foot during an interview, according to a recent study by Harris Interactive for CareerBuilder. A survey of hiring managers and human resource professionals revealed that employers associate personality attributes with the colors candidates wear to job interviews.

For example:

Black conveys leadership.
Red was a color of power.
Blue gives the impression that the person is a team player.
Gray reads as logical and analytical.
White gives the feeling of being organized.
Green, yellow, orange and purple are associated with creativity.


“In terms of projection, your appearance tells more about you than what you say or how you say it,” says New York image and style expert Carol Davidson. “And out of all of the elements of your wardrobe, color speaks first.”

In addition to polishing your resume and interview skills, selecting the right clothing is an important element of finding a new job. The best color to choose depends on the industry, says Davidson, who teaches a class about wardrobe color planning at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology. Before you grab a garment from your closet, consult this list of popular clothing colors:

DON'T WEAR NAVY IN AN INTERVIEW FOR A CREATIVE JOB
Navy sends a message of being enterprising, trustworthy, honest, and credible, says Davidson. It’s a great choice for industries like law or finance. If you’re interviewing for a more creative environment, however, it could be considered too conservative.

Employers from the CareerBuilder survey recommended blue most often, with 23% of hiring professionals identifying it as their most preferred wardrobe color choice.

WEAR BLACK IF YOU ARE INTERVIEWING FOR A MANAGEMENT JOB
Black is an extremely strong color and is highest on the authority scale, says Davidson. “Most people figure that’s a good thing, but for a first interview you don’t want to run the risk of overpowering the person in front of you,” she says.

If you are interviewing for position where you would be in charge or if you’re demure in your appearance, however, Davidson says black could be a great choice. Fifteen percent of the employers from the CareerBuilder survey recommended wearing black.

YOU PROBABLY SHOULD AVOID BROWN ALL TOGETHER
Polar opposite to black, Davidson says brown conveys the message that you’re simple and slow to change. In fact, she doesn’t recommend wearing this color to an interview in any industry.

”Like every color, brown does have some positive attributes; it can read comforting and reliable,” she says. “But in an industry that is fast-paced and innovative it may give the impression you’re staid and passive.”

GRAY IS GOOD FOR ANY INDUSTRY
A great choice to wear on an interview for any industry is gray, says Davidson. “Gray sends a message of being rock solid, wise and reliable,” she says.

Since gray also reads a bit more understated, Davidson suggests adding a bolder accent color depending on the industry. For example, someone applying for a job at an advertising agency might add a red scarf, yellow shirt or purple tie to add a bit of personality and flair.

RED MIGHT BE A BIT TOO MUCH
Red comes across as bold and assertive, and Davidson advises against wearing it for an interview. In many industries it can come off too strong.

“Red can send less favorable messages about the candidate--that he or she is domineering, rebellious and obstinate, for example,” she says. “There is a fine line between assertive and aggressive, and red is a risky choice for an interview. That said the feisty quality of this color might be well-suited in sales or law.”

WANT TO APPEAR THAT YOU HAVE ATTENTION TO DETAIL? WEAR WHITE
In contrast to red, white is a reassuring color that can convey a feeling of new beginnings, impartiality, cleanliness and purity.

“It’s 'immaculate' quality can suggest an attention to detail and therefore makes it a good choice for an interview,” she says. While you probably don’t want to wear white suite, a crisp white shirt is appropriate for any industry.

PUT THE INTERVIEWER AT EASE WITH GREEN, SEND THE MESSAGE THAT YOU'RE UNIQUE WITH PURPLE OR YELLOW, BUT PLEASE DON'T WEAR ORANGE

Green is a color often associated with a sense of calm and wellbeing, as well as wealth and prosperity. Davidson says it’s a good choice for an accent color as it will not only put the interviewer at ease, it will send a message of possibility and growth.

For more creative environments, Davidson suggests wearing a color that pops such as purple or yellow: “Purple sends a message of being artistic and unique, while yellow signifies optimism and creativity,” she says.

Orange, however, topped the CareerBuilder list for the worst color, with 25% of employers saying it was the color most likely to be associated with someone who is unprofessional.

LIGHT AND DARK
No matter which color you choose, Davidson says you should also consider its tone. “All colors can be scaled from authoritative to approachable,” she says.

Dark colors are perceived as formal and authoritative, while light colors make the wearer appear more friendly and approachable. Bright colors convey confidence while muted colors are conservative and less threatening.

And contrasting colors can send a message, too: “The higher degree of contrast--wearing black and white, or navy and white, for example--the more powerful you will appear,” Davidson says. “The lower the degree of contrast, the more approachable and friendly you seem.”

By Stephanie Vozza

Link: Fast Company

How To Stop Putting Things Off And Make Yourself Get To Work

How To Stop Putting Things Off And Make Yourself Get To Work

No more excuses: Stop procrastinating and get to work with these tips

One of the biggest problems you need to solve if you work for yourself is how to make yourself do work.

The best entrepreneurs have figured it out and just pound out the work they need to do.

But many others put off their dream careers, or stay in jobs they like, because they’re afraid to figure this out. Being in a job, or staying in college, means that you have someone else imposing work and deadlines on you, and you’ll get fired (or dropped from school) if you don’t do the work. So you put off doing the work until you can’t anymore because of the fear of being fired.

What does this say about us? It’s saying that we can’t trust ourselves enough to figure out how to motivate ourselves. I know, because I was in this boat for many years. It wasn’t until I started to learn to solve this problem that I found the courage to work for myself.

It’s solvable. It’s not easy, but it’s doable. And you can do it just as much as I can--I’m no superman, trust me. I feel lazy, I procrastinate, I fear failure, just like anyone else. But I’ve learned a few things that work for me.

What works for you will be different, but here are some ideas I use that might help:

SHOW UP

If you need to write, the main thing you need to do is just to sit down in front of your text editor. If you start cleaning the house, or watch some videos, or read stuff online, to put off the moment when you have to start to write, then you’re never going to write. Instead, show up. The rest will come.

THINK ABOUT WHO YOU’RE HELPING

Sure, there’s a lot of fear involved in doing hard work. But when you look at the fear you’re only looking at the downside. What about the upside? By showing up and working, you’re going to help someone. I think about readers who might need what I have learned. But sometimes you’re just helping yourself, building a new career or business. And that’s okay--you’re a person deserving of that help, and that’s a worthy endeavor.

RUTHLESSLY CARVE OUT THE SPACE

You’re too busy? Bullshit. Make the time if it’s important. Stop watching TV, reading news, browsing things online, looking at social media, saying yes to other people’s requests, going to lunches, get out of being the head of those committees, whatever. Carve out the time. Put it on your calendar daily and make it happen. Make that time sacred, and don’t let anything interfere. You have to be incredibly ruthless to make this happen, but you can do it.

DO THE SMALLEST POSSIBLE STEP

Yes, I mean smallest possible. That doesn’t mean, “Write the first section of that report” … it means, “Go to your computer and open a document.” Or “Get up off the couch.” Or “Write one word.” Call that a success. Trust me, if you can take that first tiny step, the next step is a little easier. Get over the initial hurdle by making that hurdle as low as possible, and then keep clearing really easy hurdles until you’re an unstoppable force of nature.

LET YOURSELF FEEL THE FEAR

We tend to not want to be afraid, and so we think about anything else. We don’t admit the fear to ourselves until we have to. Well, it’s time--you have to. Admit that you’re afraid, and see that that’s okay. We’re all afraid. I certainly am, all the time. It’s perfectly okay to be afraid--let yourself feel it. Be open to the feeling of fear, be present with it, really experience it. See where it’s coming from. What scenarios have you imagined that cause you to be afraid? Are those scenarios real? What would you do if they happened? Could you survive? I bet you could.

COMMIT TO OTHERS

Social motivation is probably the most powerful motivation there is. If you’re having trouble, ask a friend for help. Ask for some accountability. Give yourself a consequence if you fail. Don’t fail. You can do this.

You can make yourself work even if you’re afraid.

You can ruthlessly make the time, take the smallest step, feel the fear and overcome it, find inspiration in the people you’re going to help. You can show up.

This article originally appeared in Zen Habits and is reprinted with permission.

By Leo Babauta

Source: Fast Company

5 Simple Ways To Bring Out The Best In Your People

5 Simple Ways To Bring Out The Best In Your People
It’s something all managers want to do, yet, as every manager knows, it’s easier said than done: bringing out the best in your people. How often as managers are we frustrated by chronic employee under-performance? Studies routinely show that an unacceptably high number up of employees – up to 70 percent – are disengaged, emotionally disconnected from their companies. Yet the most effective management is often the simplest and most basic. All five of these management tips have a common cost: nothing.

“Tone at the top” – Lead in a way that makes it easy for others to want to follow. Setting the right example by your own business behavior – your own evenhandedness and ethics – makes it easy for your employees to respect you. Nobody wants to follow somebody they don’t respect, yet they’re eager to follow those they do. It’s always surprised me how often management doesn’t play by the same rules they ask others to – when setting a fine example costs nothing and only breeds productivity.

Take a sincere interest in the course of their careers –Studies show that high-performing companies routinely motivate their people by emphasizing career development. Any manager can too, easily. It’s human nature and only makes sense. All employees at all organizational levels are keenly interested in the course of their own careers. Showing genuine interest in helping employees gain the skills they need to succeed is a solid way to build lasting loyalty.

Ambitious but not unrealistic expectations – Both in formal job objectives and informal day-today managerial expectations, you want to set targets that stretch your employees but are attainable. Let them know you have high (but not unreasonable) standards, and at all times expect excellence. Competence breeds confidence, and successfully achieving ambitious goals motivates them to do it again.

Provide honest insightful feedback on a regular basis – The key word here is “honest.” As in candid feedback traveling in two directions – positive and negative, up and down… feedback that neither ducks the hard stuff nor ignores the positive stuff. If employees aren’t receiving regular feedback, how will they know if they’re doing well or need to course-correct? How can they give their best if it’s not completely clear what their best looks like?

Get to know who your people are - If you want to bring out the best in your employees, you have to, at least to some extent, understand them. Gain a basic understanding of what interests them, what bothers them, what they care about, what motivates them. Is it money, respect, praise, a bigger office, or a chance to spend more time with the kids? There are a multitude of possibilities. The better you know your people, the better chance you’ll have to pull the right managerial levers.

I’ll be the first to admit nothing on this list is inordinately complex. But just because something is common sense doesn’t mean it’s commonly practiced. The best managers are insightful and employee-centric. They understand their employees, and know that bringing out the best in them – to ultimately drive positive business results – is the absolute best thing they can do as a manager.

By Victor Lipman

Source: Forbes

3 Things Failing Miserably Teaches You About Leadership

3 Things Failing Miserably Teaches You About Leadership

Skip the painful process of falling flat on your face, and learn these important lessons from one CEO who has stumbled badly.

You've no doubt been told countless times to stop fearing failure and accept it as a growing experience and precondition of innovation and accomplishment. It's a popular mantra, but in a world filled with corporate CYA and zealous reputation management, examples of it in practice are pretty light on the ground. But there is one standout example: meet James Altucher.

A serial entrepreneur who has started 20 companies (17 of which failed), Altucher has built a massive following by admitting in detail all the incredible ways he's screwed up. But reading Altucher's work isn't all about reveling in another's missteps. He's also a generous giver of advice on what all that failing has taught him.

Take, for example, a recent in-depth answer he wrote to the question, "What is the most important thing you have learned about leadership?" on question-and-answer site Quora. In his response he once again admits his shortcomings. "They fired me as CEO. Then they fired me as a board member," he writes. "The reason? I was a bad leader. Here are some things I didn't know about my own company: I didn't know what our product did. I didn't know any of the clients. I didn't know how much money we made. I didn't know how much we lost. And I had crushes on the secretaries and maybe two or ten other employees."

But he doesn't stop there. Altucher also goes on to share what his failure actually taught him about leadership, offering up 10 lessons he took away from these experiences. That's handy as a practical illustration that all those touting the educational value of failure might be on to something, but better yet, it offers entrepreneurs hard-won knowledge without actually having to walk Altucher's painful path. Here are a few examples:

1. Yes, and...

Saying no is easy. Far more difficult than shooting down ideas is encouraging creativity and drawing out better ones. In order to do this you need to take a page from improv comediansand learn to tame your knee-jerk, "No!" response to innovative suggestions. You need to get better at fielding ideas and improving them. You need to develop the habit of responding with "Yes, and..." Altucher lays out his bullet-pointed suggestions for a better way to give constructive criticism:

• "Yes, and"
• List what's good
• How you would improve
• Figure out the vision that is the base of the idea that you are talking about.
• Connect the "Why" of what you are suggesting to the initial vision. Does it work better than the initial idea?
• Be open to the fact that you might be wrong. ALWAYS ALWAYS you might be wrong.

2. Be the Storyteller-in-Chief

There are limits to how many people any individual human can build meaningful connections with (your 600 Facebook friends notwithstanding). Altucher calls this the 30/150 rule: below 30 people you're a tribe; from 30 to 150 you can know of everyone by reputation at least; after 150 forget about personal connections entirely. So what ties together organizations as they grow past this 150-person barrier? Stories.

"We united with each other by telling stories," Altucher writes. "If two people believe in the same story they might be thousands of miles apart and total strangers but they still have a sense they can trust each other." Leaders need to leverage this truth by telling visionary stories such as "we are delivering the best service because... We are helping people in unique ways because... A good story, like any story ever told, starts with a problem, goes through the painful process of solving the problem, and has a solution that is better than anything ever seen before."

When you're past the point of listening to and taking care of every employee individually,telling these sorts of unifying stories is essential for a leader. "Companies live and die on this," Altucher insists.

3. Lead Yourself

Altucher isn't the only leadership expert who makes the incredibly essential but all-too-frequently overlooked point: You're unfit to lead others until you're pretty good at leading yourself. So before you develop lofty aspirations of guiding others, make sure you've done the necessary work on yourself.

"Before I can lead anyone I have to lead myself. I have to read. I have to try and improve one percent a week. I have a handful of interests and I have a lot of experience. I have to get better at the things I'm interested in. I have to understand more deeply the painful experiences I've had, I have to every day practice the health: physical emotional mental spiritual, that I suggest to everyone else," he writes.

What leadership lessons have you taken away from your failures?

Source: Inc.

By Jessica Stillman