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What does it take, or what do you need to learn?

We have had the opportunity to work with, and be mentored by, some of the most qualified people in this industry. People who rose to the occasion and decided that they would take care of and handle the situation of the moment, and deal with the outcome. People who decided to become leaders.

We believe that people decide to be leaders. We see this in MLM. It doesn’t take long for someone we’ve sponsored to show the characteristics of someone who is willing to do uncommon things. They display certain qualities not found in most MLM distributors. It’s exciting to watch them grow, design, and create their lives.

Leaders don’t leave things to chance; inwardly they have a direction, and are motivated by internal forces that are very powerful. And in a lot of cases, they’re driven by a strong urge to make a difference.

A friend of mine once said, "If you don’t have the skills to sell insurance, does it matter whether you work for State Farm or Allstate? Probably not.

However, if you do have the skills to sell insurance, does it matter whether you work for State Farm or Allstate? Probably not." The point is leaders are not born with the skills to be leaders. Leaders develop the skills to become leaders and it takes years of practice.

Six Characteristics Of The MLM Leader

The Characteristic of Attitude

You cannot pass up this characteristic. Without it, the other five characteristics don’t really matter. Let’s look at a couple of attitude traps to avoid.

Example #1 – I can’t go to the meeting tonight. I don’t have anyone to bring.

Distributors make excuses for not attending the meetings. Leaders show up because they know that when they bring someone, they will need the support of the other leaders who showed up when they didn’t have someone.

Example #2 – I don’t like to read or listen to self-improvement books or tapes.

You work for the people in your group; it is not the other way around. What you do to and for yourself will show up in those you are closest to. Improving your attitude means improving the learning material you use.

Example #3 – I just spent the last two weeks shuffling papers, so I deserve a paycheck.

Leaders have an attitude about production. Shuffling papers is busywork; hopping on the phone and sponsoring someone is production that gets results.

If you have a good attitude it will reflect in your leaders. You know whether you have a good attitude or a bad attitude. If you have to sit and ponder this point, then start working on improving your attitude.

From one leader to another, it is the right thing to do. Your attitude is like a lighthouse that can be seen for miles. It defines many aspects of how you view things and the outcome you will receive. Leaders work on their attitude.

The Characteristic of Defining the Objective
Keeping the End in Mind

Do you know what it is that you want? Leaders lay out a game plan and change it very slowly once they know what it is they want. This is the second most important step.

One of my mentors once told me that ninety-five percent of the people who get involved in MLM would not make it. That’s powerful, sad, and true! Most of them don’t have a big enough why.

Leaders have no hesitation to purpose. They know what it is they want. How is your day, week, year, and life planned? Or is it? Define your life’s objective, and keep the end in mind.

The Characteristic of Paying the Price

There is a price to pay for being a leader. There is really nothing sadder then someone who was sold on the get rich in six-months plan. We were sold on this plan and had the same outcome that happens to many people.

Earlier we talked about the skills needed to be an insurance salesperson. When we first got involved in MLM, we didn’t know anything about the business. We were excited about the product, but that by itself wasn’t going to go very far. We felt we had been totally rejected and turned down by everyone west of the Mississippi. And that was just the beginning. There is a price to pay . . . for some people it can be a few years, and for others it can take what seems like forever.

One day we were listening to a Les Brown tape. Les Brown is a motivational speaker with a twist. He has actually walked the walk. Les says, "You can’t get out of this life alive." Not that that is news, but what he goes on to say is, " … if that is the case then you have two choices, you can live your life in the stands as an observer or, you can live your life on the field as a player."

Staying in the stands as an observer is safe, and you don’t get hurt. You can watch, and all you have to do is cheer or jeer. That’s the choice. It’s safe, and you don’t have to get hurt. This is the choice of most people. The major problem with staying in the stands is you don’t have a choice of the outcome. You can only observe. In the end, you have no right to complain if you don’t like the outcome.

Then there are the players. The people who choose to make it in the game of life. You know who they are. From one player to another, you have a tendency to be excited for them when they score. The field of life is tough. You get bruised and sometimes you get beat up real bad. But ultimately you have the choice of your outcome.

Being on the field is totally different. Being a leader and being a player is different. You must be willing to pay a price.

The Characteristic of Commitment

One of the most important aspects of being human is that of commitment.

The commitment to your beliefs, to your ideas, to yourself! If you have true commitment to yourself, then you will have the commitment you need to help others. You are always going to be moving in one direction or another. Either up or down. Moving up takes commitment. Practice on purpose.

Where is your heart? Is it into the task at hand? Are you willing and committed to building all of these characteristics to seize the day, to see it through? Commitment is a major characteristic of a leader.

The Characteristic of Principles – Self-Discipline

A tree has two parts, the fruit and the roots. Your principles will determine your part of the tree. The true you will show up when there is no one else around to watch, constantly working on keeping your principles in check, what you stand for, and are they worth fighting for.

Leaders understand that they cannot knock everyone else’s building down to have the tallest building in town. Leaders work on adjusting themselves, and maintain certain standards that are based on truth. As a leader you have to look at things from a perspective of – is it right – not does it feel good.

We are involved in a business where principles are very important. Network marketing is a relationship business. When you meet someone, there is a good possibility that you will know them a long time. If your principles are true you will never have to worry about the relationship.

The Characteristic of Duplication

Eagles don’t fly in flocks. They do however need other eagles. Leaders are like that. They need other leaders. Only eagles have the ability to create other eagles. Leaders have the same ability, to locate and create other leaders.

In our business, when people hear about duplication, they overlook the real meaning. Most people think that you use products, get well, tell other people about the fabulous results and then they duplicate that process.

Leaders see a different side. Leaders work on their principles, work on their commitment to themselves, keep the end in mind, and are willing to pay whatever price it takes. Leaders know that there is a true price to be paid to get the value they want. And they do it with the attitude of a true leader.

Leaders know that true duplication is working on their next leader.