Often we get in a rut, being a follower.  You rarely distinguish yourself from others, usually earning average income and often feeling like you are struggling to be noticed in life.  What’s the difference between followers and leaders?

Followers

• It’s hard for others to tell you apart from your competition
• Your customers are typically looking for the cheapest price when shopping for your service
• You depend on one stream of income
• You count the hours till the end of the day
• You never feel that you are paid for what you are worth and earning a 7 figure income is a dream
• You feel invisible, not noticed by anyone
• You are always asking “What Can YOU Do for ME?”
• You’re a ‘doer’, stuck in the daily grind doing task after task
• Most of your business relationships are transactional and “one-off”
• You talk about changing the world

Leaders

• You’re the first choice for customers in your niche because you stand out as a leader in your field
• Your customers are prepared to pay above average rates for the unique value they receive from you
• Using the power of leverage, you have multiple streams of income
• You’re fired up, passionate and love what you do
• You have a clear path and plan to earn a 7 figure income and you’re on your way to earning it… or you already do
• You’re a shining light in your field, your customers seek you out and your peers look up to you
• You’re always asking “What Can I Do For YOU?”
• Your work is an extension of your soul and your big vision leads to big action
• You have a wealth of sustainable, long term relationships that support your objectives
• You ARE changing the world.  You make a difference every day through your message, resources, connections and influence

That concept may sound weird until you consider the difference between “attraction” and “admiration” and why the latter is FAR SUPERIOR as both a goal and as a framework to work within.

People naturally admire success.  When you get your business right and start enjoying success, people watching from a distance will admire what you are doing.  If they make contact with you and your behaviour  interrupts this process, you can actually look like an inconsiderate and
egotistical jerk.

If you think that people are attracted to you it can cause you to “play up” to it.  It’s almost like you put on a show to win more of their attention.  This happens subconsciously.  We all have a need for acceptance from others, but if we allow this need to come across strongly it can make us look like a showoff or a try-hard.

When you are aware that people admire you, it seems to have more of a humbling effect.  Admiration tends to be accepted quietly and confidently.  This quiet acceptance builds a lot of trust in others and they start to see you as a leader.

Remember, think admiration FIRST…

A skilled leader works and plays hard, they earn respect leading by example. A leader inspires their team by infusing their language with a sense of fun, adventure, and the shared “cause” behind the company.

People these days are more willing to work for a company when they feel they’re investing their time and talents in something worthwhile that fulfils their values.

Good leaders always communicate a larger positive purpose behind their goals.

For the right cause, your team will be willing to do whatever it takes to grow your company.

Using metaphors within your story is a masterful way of delivering your message

This is a skill that I want to learn myself.  Many people want to develop their public speaking skills to further their careers or just to improve themselves.  But I have noticed that once you learn how to tell stories to an audience that’s when you really capture the attention of the listeners.  Using metaphors within your story is a masterful way of delivering your message.  Stories break down the barriers of any resistance the audience might have to what you are saying.

If you are a teacher, training or even a boss, there will be times you have to deliver information that people will not be happy about.  Students have to learn, staff have to follow instructions and sometimes these people are not exactly interested in what they have to do.  This is where the art of storytelling can break down the barriers between yourself and these people.  Weaving masterful metaphors into the story is a way of delivering the message or instructions sub-consciously before you consciously deliver the instructions to your audience.

The interesting thing about masterful metaphors is that the message may not take effect straight away.  But, a day later or even a week later, something happens in that person and suddenly they “get it”.  I have seen this happen where the people will even seek out the speaker just to let them know that now they understand.  This is a powerful influence and the great leaders of history have used this in masterful ways to lead entire countries.

Weaving masterful metaphors into the story is a way of delivering the message or instructions sub-consciously before you consciously deliver the instructions to your audience

I have noticed many books available that have stories and metaphors that you can use for training or public speaking situations.  What I want to do is find out some of the best books available and see what the stories are like.  I think that you need stories that are specifically related to the situation that you are speaking in.  It seems like something that you need to research and prepare before speaking.

Once I have narrowed down some choices I’ll follow up on this post and let you know what’s out there… what’s good and what’s not.