Young people can learn from business leaders
This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on September 7th, 2010.
The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:
As part of Small Business Week 2010, the Saint John Board of Trade is bringing in one of the world’s top business leadership experts for a rare public presentation. Robin Sharma, author of 11 best-selling books, including The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari and The Leader Who Had No Title: A Modern Fable on Real Success in Business and Life, will be in the city for a public speaking engagement.
He is one of the most widely read authors in the world, his work has been published in more than 60 countries and nearly 75 languages, and he has worked with some of the world’s biggest corporations including Nike, FedEx, General Electric and Microsoft. His talk, Lead Without a Title – The New Way to Win in Business, is based on his most recent book – one of the best-sellers on the business book list today – and will focus on employee leadership at all levels in an organization.
Leadership has been described as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task.” For many young people in the workforce, being a leader is something we aspire to, rather than how we see ourselves now. We are able to start learning and thinking about these things from the outset of our careers, which puts us in a unique position, since the field of business leadership is one that did not really exist for past generations to the extent it does now. Some of the tips found online in Robin Sharma’s 73 Best Business and Success Lessons blog post include: Leadership is no longer about position – but passion. It’s no longer about image but impact and “lucky is where skill meets persistence.” The ideas are not necessarily new, but it is always helpful to be reminded to reflect on the way we conduct ourselves at work and in the community, and seek opportunities for self improvement.
Having read – and learned from – authors such as Sharma since joining the working world, I think there is a lot of value in the business leadership genre, especially for those of us just starting out in our careers. Many of the lessons and tools are really applicable to all areas of life, whether you work in business or not.
Regardless of the organization in which you work, or the position you hold within it, there are important lessons to be found in the world of business leadership. Many of the world’s business leaders are considered role models not just because they achieved wealth or success, but because they did it in a unique or inspiring way.
The Saint John Board of Trade will present Sharma for a breakfast event on Wednesday, Oct. 20, at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre. The event will begin at 8 a.m. with registration and networking, followed by Sharma’s presentation. Early bird tickets, available until Oct. 1, are $149 for members of the board of trade, and $199 for non-members. Tickets will be $199 for members and $249 for non-members from Oct. 1 until the event.
Claire Ryan is on the FUSION Saint John board. Reach her at cryan@mtlpr.ca.
