Tag Archives: True Leaders

True Leaders Admit Mistakes

Posted in Failure, Inspiration, Leadership, Motivation, Success by

True Leaders Admit Mistakes

life coach, nashville life coach

               Mistakes are inevitable and are proof that you are working and trying. Show me a person who has not made mistakes and failed and I will show you a person who has not tried anything new! Mistakes are useful for growth if we learn from them and heed the lessons they teach us. However, before you can decipher the message from the mess you must first admit the mistake.

               Admitting mistakes is tough because it makes you vulnerable. Admitting mistakes also strengthens your leadership skills because it actually makes you more trustworthy and relatable.

                A couple of years ago I actually showed up for a business meeting an entire day late because I made the mistake of putting it on my calendar incorrectly! Talk about EMBARRASSING!!! Instead of making up some kind of lame excuse as to why I missed the meeting and showed up late, I admitted my mistake to the person I was meeting with. That colleague actually agreed to meet with me the day I was “late”, we had a good laugh about it and even had the meeting over a nice business lunch! This taught me an important lesson – be honest about mistakes you make. The outcome from admitting them may actually be better than the initial intended result!

What is a recent mistake you could have handled differently?? How do you plan to rectify the situation?

— Dr. April

Dr. Carmen April's Speaker Series

Dr. Carmen April’s Speaker Series

               This post is part of a series on Leadership presented by Dr. Carmen April. She is a young entrepreneur and community leader recognized as a 2013 Nashville Business Journal Top 40 Under Forty Award Recipient and is currently a 2014 New Leaders Council Fellow – Nashville Chapter.  Dr. April is available for speaking engagements Entrepreneurship for college students and young professionals.

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True Leaders Empower Others

Posted in Inspiration, Leadership, Motivation, Success by

True Leaders Empower Others

life coach, nashville coach

          I recently read a story on Inc. about Pal’s Sudden Service, a hotdog and burger drive-thru chain based in Kingsport, TN. There are 26 restaurants led by CEO Thomas Crosby. Every day, Mr. Crosby and every other company executive spends 10% of their time training employees on developing a new skill or aptitude. Pal’s Sudden Service was recognized with the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, placing it in the ranks of Ritz-Carlton, Cadillac, and Federal Express.

          During every shift, a computer produces a list of 3-4 employees who need to be re-certified on a specific skill. Employees who have scored 100% on 4 skills tests can keep their certifications and are eligible to become coaches within the restaurants helping their colleagues stay on standard. Crosby says, “We are looking to get people to this mastery level.” They value empowering others to master the essential skills critical for daily operation.

          This is a great example of true leaders empowering others! No only are the store managers participating in critical employee training, but the CEO of all 26 restaurants is as well! Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.

– Dr. April

Dr. Carmen April's Speaker Series

Dr. Carmen April’s Speaker Series

This post is part of a series on Leadership presented by Dr. Carmen April. She is a young entrepreneur and community leader recognized as a 2013 Nashville Business Journal Top 40 Under Forty Award Recipient and is currently a 2014 New Leaders Council Fellow – Nashville Chapter.  Dr. April is available for speaking engagements on Entrepreneurship for college students and young professionals.

True Leaders Create More Leaders

Posted in Inspiration, Leadership, Motivation, Success by

True Leaders Create More Leaders

               If you are successfully leading by direction and example, you should be creating an environment for others to lead as well. You should lead your team so well that they can stand in and cover for you in your absence!

life coach, nashville life coach

— Dr. April

Dr. Carmen April's Speaker Series

Dr. Carmen April’s Speaker Series

This post is part of a series on Leadership presented by Dr. Carmen April. She is a young entrepreneur and community leader recognized as a 2013 Nashville Business Journal Top 40 Under Forty Award Recipient and is currently a 2014 New Leaders Council Fellow – Nashville Chapter.  Dr. April is available for speaking engagements on Entrepreneurship for college students and young professionals.