Three Choices to “Get Off Your Tail”

I recently had the privilege of spending the day with a successful CEO who is investing in his top three leaders, as well as his own, leadership development. I had suggested a years “road map” of leadership coaching and he said, “I’m in, let’d do it!”

At the end of our day’s coaching and training, I couldn’t help observing the magnitude of enthusiasm and excitement in each leader. Each of them had a sparkle in their eye with a renewed hunger to succeed and crush it!

What is the number one difference between successful leaders and average leaders? Decisiveness. 

I’ve noticed the best leaders aren’t perfect but they “get off their tail” and move, invest, train, and focus on personal development.

When I think about the tough choices I’ve witnessed in myself and others to get off their tail…
1. It usually aligns most deeply with what I hold dear.
Rather than sitting on my tail, rather than surrounding myself with the same “safe” people, I’m committed to leaders who summit, climb, and have deep conviction, holding the same belief about the future that I do—  believing that “there is more.” My choices reveal who I really am, and so do yours!

2. It usually will cost me something dear.
Blood, sweat, and tears to say the least. Energy, passion, persistence, and most of all, sacrifice. When was the last time you said “no” to something in order to say “yes” to the best? Think about when you committed an afternoon of blueprinting and goal-setting with your coach or teammate, or when you would seek out personal development to get to the next level. Sacrifice leads to success with significance. Let others sit on their tail, not you!

3. It usually ends up changing me for the better. 

Small choices that make us stronger are:
  • The choice to get up early and start your day on purpose.
  • The choice to prioritize your hours, not driven by others.
  • The choice to work on meaningful projects alone, cell phone free.
  • The choice to be a corporate athlete, rather than eat for pleasure or comfort.
NBA Championship Coach, Pat Riley, said it best, “Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better.”

Here’s to getting off your tail!

— Steve

As a master storyteller, Steve has unparalleled ability to communicate dynamic business and leadership truths through stories, anecdotes and humor. Harness the power of the “number one” predictor of professional success, impact, leadership, high performance and sustainable relationships in business and life. Steve’s highest rated keynote presentation.

To book Steve today, contact Michelle Joyce!
(For information on keynote presentations, team workshops, and one on one coaching.)

“The purpose of Leadership Quest is to help professionals develop their personal leadership, vision and emotional intelligence. Everyday I strive to help leaders and teams achieve their desired goals in sales productivity, leadership, time maximization, and life-balance. ”

About the Author

Steve Gutzler is the President of Leadership Quest, a Seattle-based leadership development company. Steve is a dynamic, highly-sought-after speaker who has delivered more than 2,500 presentations to a list of clients including Microsoft, Starbucks, the Seattle Seahawks, Pandora Radio, Boeing, Cisco, Starwood Corporation, the Ritz Carlton group, and the U.S. Social Security Administration. He recently was voted #1 by the readership of Huffington Post as the Most Inspirational Leader on Social Media.

A published author on leadership and emotional intelligence, Steve resides near Seattle with his wife Julie where they enjoy time with their three adult children and six grandchildren.