Success Advice
4 Practical Behaviors to Amplify Your Leadership Skills
I remember back in grade school after mastering the intricacies of addition and subtraction, I finally made it to the advanced mathematical concept of multiplication! I was so excited, raised my hand and told the teacher that it looks like multiplication is addition on steroids!
When I began to study more advanced concepts in mathematics, especially that of exponentiation, I realized that an exponent is multiplication on steroids. It looks to me as if exponential growth has one purpose: to keep growing.
So how can we use this concept of exponential growth to heighten and further our business and leadership career? The answer comes in what I like to call our exponential potential.
Let me give you a personal example. Many years ago, when the bulk of my leadership training was face-to-face, I found myself in a traditional sales cycle of having to cold call on various companies to generate interest. This can be a very time-consuming process, and in January and February in Northeast Pennsylvania the term “cold call” can take on a whole new meaning.
I had to figure out a way of getting a group of prospects together to show them what I could do. I started by joining a local Chamber of Commerce, however I told the executive director that I would join only if they allowed me to do a monthly lunch and learn. I would donate my time and offer a raffle at the end of the session.
The chamber charged $10 each month and between noon and 1:30, once a month, I would have anywhere between 15 and 30 people, representing anywhere between 5 and 25 companies. I would spend the better part of an hour talking about a subject such as goal setting and personal leadership, team-building, or how to develop congruency between your vision and daily activities.
At the end of the session, I would ask everybody to pull out a business card for the raffle of the CD and right a YES on the back of their card if they were interested in learning more about what my company could do for them, or NO on the back of the business card if they simply weren’t interested.
That 90 minute chamber activity brought in anywhere between 6-18 leads per month. However, I didn’t stop there because I joined a dozen chambers and did this consistently across a wide swath of what I consider to be my territory. Within the span of several months, my cold calling activity had basically stopped.
That is what I consider the exponential potential. Multiplication of activities. I think we all have that ability in our business and personal lives. The challenge is finding where those leverage points are so that we can begin to have greater output with the same level of activity.
Here are four practical behaviors that you can use to explore your own personal exponential potential:
1. Look for aggregates
They do exist but you need to find them. In every business or personal endeavor there are ways to multiply your efforts. Business lunches are a great example, because you take care of the biological necessity of eating while discussing business. Perhaps you can meet clients at the gym or for a bike ride also.
Are there processes at work that can be made more efficient by moving individual’s physical space or by allowing individuals to work remotely? What can you delegate to free up more of your valuable cognitive resources?
“Doing more and more with less and less is one form of being generous. In fact, the easiest way to become rich is by being generous.” – Robert Kiyosaki
2. Batch goals together
If you are upwardly mobile, you probably have some very stringent business goals. You may also have some physical goals to keep your body in shape. Lastly, if you are a family person, you may also want to spend time with your significant other and children. Can you see how these goals conflict?
Consequently, we may be achieving one goal but feeling guilty because the other two are not being worked on.
This causes us to think irrationally and may open us up to harbor resentment. Try this: does the possibility exist of telling your family that if you can have 90 minutes of quiet time to work on a report after dinner, you can all go for a walk together and talk about whatever comes up in conversation? Think about it, you have taken care of your business goal of working quietly for 90 minutes, the physical goal of going for a walk, and the family goal of going for the walk together.
3. Perseverance
There is no greater multiplier of successes than an attitude of, “I will not be denied!” The difference between success and failure is quite simply, “try one more time.”
Perseverance can be made into a game by asking yourself questions such as, “Why did this particular thing happen that made me miss (or hit) my goal?” Following this, analyze your answer in a playful and curious way so that that information may be hardcoded into your personal success database.
“By perseverance the snail reached the ark.” – Charles Spurgeon
4. Enjoy the journey
In other words, be happy! Whenever you are searching for the multipliers in your life you may encounter setbacks, frustrations, and downright failures. Learn to perceive the setbacks as signposts, and opportunities to change direction. In other words, be happy with the frustrations that you meet because they are assisting you in finding the correct path for your journey.
I truly hope that you find the four behaviors listed above useful! I have used them over and over again and have spoken to clients about them many times all with excellent results. These behaviors are about you. Remember that.
Which one of these practical behaviors could you use more in your daily life? Let us know in the comments below!
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These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident
Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.
Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.
But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.
Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.
1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task
Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.
After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.
Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.
But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.
2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First
Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.
Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”
For example, if you’re a writer:
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Research your topic at night.
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Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).
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Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.
You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.
3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace
Focus is the foundation of success.
According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.
Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.
Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.
4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life
Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”
This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.
If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.
5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills
Knowledge compounds over time.
Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.
I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.
Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.
6. Develop a Growth Mindset
Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.
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A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.
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A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.
Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.
7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You
I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.
If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.
Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.
Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.
8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions
Good mentors can fast-track your growth.
While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.
If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.
9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations
Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”
Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.
When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.
10. Focus on Your Strengths
Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.
If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.
A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.
Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.
11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs
Your beliefs shape your reality.
For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.
Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.
Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.
Final Thoughts
Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.
Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.
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