The importance of saying ‘no’

Yes, I find it hard to say no. You probably do, too.
I’m lucky. My wife tells me to say no and I do what she wants.
Saying no is hard because we don’t like to disappoint others.
But there are many opportunities in life. We can’t do them all.
You won’t hurt anyone’s feelings if you say no.
Just do it gracefully. Look them in the eyes and smile.
Say, "I’m honored you asked but I just can’t do it now."
That’s all you have to say. Don’t explain. Make no excuses.
Now think about what you’ve just done.
You’ve freed yourself from a commitment you did not want.
Hooray. Freedom is precious. It is not free.
You’ve just made more time for what’s important in your life.
These include your family, friends, fun and important projects.
Don’t fret that you may have missed an important opportunity.
Like buses, another opportunity will come along soon.
For more about guarding your time and freedom, click here.
This is about your own personal leadership of yourself.
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Leadership: Fairness in public education

Charlie Moye had a struggle in public school.
His father Richie found a special school to help him.
Like most private schools, it was expensive.
Richie learned a disappointing lesson.
Other states help parents pay for such expensive schooling.
Not South Carolina.
Richie says he learned that South Carolina would rather pay lawyers to fight you than help you pay for special schooling for a child with learning disabilities.
Is this leadership in public education?
I don't think so. You shouldn't’t think so either.
In public education's defense, lets concede that private schools enjoy an advantage.
They can choose who they admit. Public schools don’t have a choice.
They have to take everyone, regardless of motivation or ability.
How do you feel about a state’s obligation to educate all children?
Should we at least contribute the same amount of money to a special needs child who needs expensive special help?
I welcome your comments.
For more on leadership, see www.JerryBellune.com
Click on "Success Strategies".

The language of leadership

Ever tried to learn to speak another language?
How difficult was it to pronounce those foreign words?
Leadership has its own language, too.
Here’s a lesson in the language of leadership:
"Lead people — manage things."
Four simple words. Powerful message.
Leaders concentrate on doing the "right" things.
Managers work on doing things the "right" way.
Both skills are necessary for success.
Years ago, a talented sales manager worked with us.
Once, I marked ads in a competitor’s newspaper with a note:
"Why didn’t we get these ads, Bert?"
Bert didn’t get angry or defensive.
All he said was, "I feel like you’re trying to manage me."
It wasn’t a compliment.
Bert taught me an important lesson that day.
Leaders say, "Let’s do it together".
Not "You go do it and report back to me."
It’s powerful when a leader says "Let’s do it together".
Similar lessons are in my book:
"Lead People, Manage Things".
It’s at http://www.jerrybellune.com/books.htm