Your big opportunity may be right
where you are now. – Napoleon Hill
In Bits
& Pieces a number of years back the story is told of an energetic young man
who began work as a clerk in a hardware store. Like many old- time hardware
stores, the inventory included thousands of dollars' worth of items that were
obsolete or seldom called for by customers. The young man was smart enough to
know that no thriving business could carry such an inventory and still show a
healthy profit. He proposed a sale to get rid of the stuff. The owner was
reluctant but finally agreed to let him set up a table in the middle of the
store and try to sell off a few of the oldest items. Every product was priced
at ten cents. The sale was a success and the young fellow got permission to run
a second sale. It, too, went over just as well as the first. This gave the
young clerk an idea. Why not open a store that would sell only nickel and dime
items? He could run the store and his boss could supply the capital.
The young
man's boss was not enthusiastic. "The plan will never work," he said,
"because you can't find enough items to sell at a nickel and a dime."
The young man was disappointed but eventually went ahead on his own and made a
fortune out of the idea. His name was F.W. Woolworth.
Years later
his old boss lamented, "As near as I can figure it, every word I used in
turning Woolworth down has cost me about a million dollars!"
When
thinking of an opportunistic person what mental image comes to mind? For some
it’s an image of a person seizing a moment in time to be unscrupulous or
devious. But I’d like to frame it from a different perspective.
As a leader
with influence you have many opportunities that come your way and not all of
them have to do with what you gain. Often it’s about what you can give. Here
are five characteristics of opportunistic leaders.
Opportunistic leaders take time to
listen
This point
might stand in contrast to the “leader” in the organization who is more
accustomed to talking and being heard. But opportunistic leaders understand the
value of listening to his or her people. The best leaders know that it’s not
always about what you have to say that is important but in what you hear. Be an
opportunistic leader and tune in to those around you. You might just learn
something.
Opportunistic leaders look for ways
to serve
Leaders who
make their mark on the world do so by finding ways to serve others and causes
greater than themselves. This can be done in so many ways and on so many
different levels large and small. This opportunistic leader is less concerned
about the limelight and simply finds joy in serving others and making their
small corner of the world a better place to live. In what ways are you serving
those around you?
Opportunistic leaders are always
growing
Opportunistic
leaders have a healthy appetite for personal growth and development. It’s
understood therefore that it won’t happen by chance or without being
intentional. What personal growth and development and leadership books are you
reading? How about magazines like Success
(my favorite) and other resources to help you sharpen your leadership
skills? Opportunistic leaders are always striving to be better and make their
personal growth and development a priority.
Opportunistic leaders build
relationships
A good
leader understands the value of relationships and will make building them a
priority. An opportunistic leader knows that strong relationships are the
foundation of his organization and it contributes to a healthy culture. As good
of a benefit as that is; it’s even nicer for your people to know that you care
about them as a person and that you see their worth not just for what they do
but simply for who they are.
Opportunistic leaders are willing to
take risks
Some might
argue that risk-taking is throwing caution to the wind, but I beg to differ.
Opportunistic leaders realize that this brief moment in time spent on earth is
but a vapor and every moment is a gift from God to make a difference. Mark
Twain said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things
you didn’t do than by the ones you did.” I believe it’s true.
Opportunistic
leaders are not in it for themselves. They are looking for ways to leave their
mark on the world and to add value to others along the way.
Have you
found your next opportunity?
©2016 Doug
Dickerson
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