Network Marketing Journey

Leadership skills aren’t something you automatically don when given a management title.

While continuing the pursuit of my dreams and building my business, I continue to do something which can be very taxing. I maintain a job at Wal-Mart (Ok, so its always taxing…). Being self-sufficient and having the ability to step away from the position is well within reach but as I continue working I must also be realistic about my goals and current situation.

Then there are times when I wonder why I bother. The more time I spend knee deep in a business of my own making, the more I learn about the mechanics of what makes a business function. On top of that, leadership skills have been a big part of my growth in the last two years.

My intended plans for SOBCon08 were brought to a halt when management (a week description of salaried employ) informed me that I couldn’t have the time off–someone else in my group (I work in receiving) had beaten me to the days requested.

To make a long story short–I had put the request in months ago and most of the people on my team where new hires. It was impossible for them to have requested time of before me. I talked to each of them and they confirmed it. Nobody had requested the time off.

Confronting management was my first step. I was told that one of the new employees was given two days off in the time frame I was requesting–and their request had been approved. Several things are fishy by this point.

I was annoyed and they refused to give me the time off because there wouldn’t be ‘enough’ people present to complete the work.

By this time I had already talked about the situation with a few people. All of them telling me I should just call it sick. Agreeing, saying what they did wasn’t fair. Believe me, I considered it. After all, everything was paid for and now I have to cancel hotel arrangements, which may also cost me.

But I got to thinking. To do so would be stooping to their level. I would like to believe myself to be better than to retaliate in such a manner but I admit, the thought was tempting. The problem is, I know better. And doing the right thing, going to work even though I’d be swallowing a loss, is the thing to do.

The more I thought about it, the more it became a matter of integrity and leading by example. This entire situation occurred because a so-called manager decided to give time off to the person he liked more. In other words, I don’t kiss his ass … never have been the type and never will.

I’ve always been taught that if evil is acted upon you, you don’t respond in kind. Instead, you offer them your other cheek and respond with kindness.

Hardly the easy road. This means that I will not be attending SOBCon even though I had been looking forward to it all year. And it turns out that many of my fellow JJLers will be present as well. Another reason to be disappointed.

There are to points you can take away from this story. First of all, no matter your title–if you are in a leadership role, you must be aware of the fact that your every action has repercussions.

By default, your position means the people under you will follow your example. If you want a strong team, with equal work ethic–you better be prepared to exhibit the qualities yourself. Lies, favoritism and laziness will beget lies, disgruntled employees and more laziness.

Secondly, when you’re the target of an attack OR occasion such as this one. Do yourself a favor and don’t allow your response to be the result of someone else’s actions. In other words, don’t be reactive. It will only eat away at you, and keep the cycle of ill will going.

Do I believe anyone will have a break through when I show up for work? No, I don’t. But I have learned something about myself and what sets managers apart from leaders. That is the important thing. Another lesson learned on the path of a Lifelong Learner.

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