Recently, I worked with a successful business woman who is desperately seeking to implement procedures in her office that will help her to spend less time solving the problems that her staff is constantly running into. She had come to the point where she would constantly keep her office door closed, so she would not be disturbed. She said, “I can never get my work done, or have the opportunity to bring in new business, because I am constantly solving their problems.” So I asked her to repeat that statement again, but asked her to listen to what she had just said.
As repeating it, her eyes opened up wide and she screeched, “Why did I hire them in the first place!” That’s right. Why did you hire these people? You are a leader, not a problem solver; that is why you had hired them. Granted, a few leaders enjoy being known as the problem solver, it gives them an air of importance; but believe me, this process is only encouraging co-dependency relationships and we all know that is not a healthy place to be. Business owners are the leaders of their organization, the visionary whose main mission in the office is to fulfill that vision and expand the business.
If you are constantly solving everyone else’s problem, then who is solving yours?? Good leaders come to realise that their most able resource in any problem situation is the people around them. Just as problems do not occur in the vacuum, neither do solutions appear from thin air. It is a mistake for leaders to think that they must solve every problem by themselves. Problem solving, like leadership in general, requires participation of others. Input is needed from all those involved (clients, staff, vendors) before a leader can make hard decisions and set direction for an organization.
There are concrete steps that leaders can take to address problems. Effective leaders are not only proficient in solving problems; they are also skilled in perceiving issues before they become problems.
In this case, the client had two choices: either fire the problem staff or re-interview them and in definite terms make clear what you expect from them. Be sure to inform them, that the next time they come to you with a problem; they need to think of at least two possible solutions – if one of them fits into your decision making process, then that’s the one you will go with. This process will guide them to open up their minds to possibilities, to explore the situation at hand, and personally seek out solutions. And as you confirm the process with them, slowly they begin to expand their confidence level and begin to make firm decisions on their own.
This method can easily apply in your home life; do your kids or spouse constantly come to you with problems, looking for you to solve them. Perhaps it’s time for you to change the process and include them in the decision making process.
This will not only benefit you, but you’ll also be helping them become more responsible and solution oriented thinkers… and heaven knows we could use more of that in our society!
There is nothing better than doing what you love to do! Period. Teaching the kids how to do that is magic!
Spent the last 2 days speaking at Teen Success event in Los Angeles and it was exhilarating. Sharing with teens, parents and teachers the power of the T.E.A.R Formula to success instantly gave me the affirmation that doing what you love to do, and make a difference in other people’s lives is the best way to live. Within minutes I heard such uplifting responses, and I was encouraged to meet so many amazing students who truly have good head on their shoulders, just looking for guidance towards fulfilling their dreams.
I met Stephanie, 9 years old going on 20. Talented singer who stared very young and has a clear vision of where she is going in life. 9 years old. And if that wasn’t enough to excite you, her brother Michael who is 15 told his mom at the ripe age of 4, he wanted to play the piano! And he played it masterfully. There was Max, who constantly raised his hand to answers the questions that I through out from the podium, and had smart answers. He wasn’t short on other talents also. Soon you will be hearing from these amazing kids.
These kids are lucky to have amazing parents who listened and watched their children’s inner talents and encouraged them to follow their dreams. Bravo. I am sure that, many parents out there would love to be the position to do that, but they either lack the finances or more importantly, the art of knowing their children. Here is a tip.
The most effective and valuable energy that you can put into raising your children is, listen to their hearts, believe in them and encourage them to seek out the ways to fulfill their dreams. In time, you or they will find the way to make it come true. Gangofhope.com is one way that I hope to empower many kids and parents in this journey, and we have many other experts and mentors who share the same dream.
It has been a while since I last wrote, but I’ve been busy with, finishing my documentary “Broken Promises” , completing my “Jump-Start Your Student’s Life®” book together with the “Jump-Start Your Teacher’s Life®” books, and producing 2 new gang of hope videos for this site, and soon will announce our “Teen Talent” contest. As you seen most of my work has been student related. When I first began my life development journey, I thought that it was just personal, my own life, little did I realize it would soon turn into a full time business. It’s true that, “what you focus on multiplies” and I learned that the hard way. Being an ADD personality, I tend to have 2 or 3 ..4 things going at the same time, but when I look back at my life and examine the times that I was most successful, it was when I was focusing on just one things.
Lately when I hear so much bad news in the media about teenagers killing one another, bullying, abusing, hurting children and animals, I just can’t stand by and shake my head in disgust and not do something about it. Kids are looking for guidance, I know I use to be once, some may still think that I still am, but in my heart I can relate to these kids and we need to make an extra effort in our education system to connect and ignite passion back into their lives. I know that teachers are overwhelmed with all that they have been assigned to do, but it doesn’t take much to turn your teaching course into a fun and engaging learning experience. In my 2 new books, I share tools and steps for teachers and students that can turn life around in the classroom and at home. Today, kids are far more savvy about technology than most teachers, their attention span is like 59 seconds, so it’s important to connect the classroom lesson to their future goals.
Here I am, hours away from closing 2009 and I find myself, yet again asking, where did the year go? Life seems to be moving so fast. I don’t think that I am alone in feeling this way, especially when you’ve had a roller coaster type of a year. I am grateful to so many people, events and opportunities that crossed my path this year. There were also few things that I could have done without, as I am sure many out there would agree with me. Yes, they are meant to shape our future; Yes they are meant to help us affirm our intentions, test our passion…But …can we now just focus on manifesting the intentions!
It has been my yearly tradition to start the New Year in Sydney, Australia, spending it with my family including my nephew Anthony 11, and my niece Larissa, who is 10. They have been my inspiration for all the kids training programs and the upcoming books and gangofhope.com. They are the voices for the Jake and Natalie characters. Watching them grow has also given me a great deal of insight about the development of a child, their habits, character and personality. Through observing them I have come to closely see how much of a sponge they really are. They absorb everything that we adults say and do around them. In my next blog I will share with you my experiences with them on a recent shopping trip.. talk about developing habits and taste.. you know what I mean.
Now, getting back to the start of the new decade, I am very excited as it holds much hope for my passionate dreams. The release of my new documentary, more videos for gang of hope, the launch of PDFS gang of hope for adults, and most importantly, working with women and kids through my workshops and community center. Exciting times indeed!
Happy New Year everyone, remember to release the Genie within, and allow her/him to guide you through your journey to success. Would love to hear some of year passionate dreams for 2010..
Barbara Holliday and Dave Reinitz donated the night of comedy and talent to the foundation. The host Joel Bryant was smooth and well prepared, kept the audience rolling in laughter. His act with his wife Devon, could have caused an uproar with Judy and Bill, but they played along and involved everyone in the act. Dave Reinitz, Michael Rayner and Diane Kawasaki followed one another, keeping us all in stitches. This was definitely a better way to raise funds…laugh all the way to the bank.
Last Saturday I attended the star studded red carpet event by BraveHeart Women, and what an amazing night it was. Marla Maples, Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith of Agape and his wife Rickie, Courtney Cox and many more..
I was so inspired by hearing women from all walks of life, passionately express in their own words how they deal with their everyday challenges and the ways they wish and do make a difference in someone else’s life. Hearing Delta Burke, one of the stars of “Designing Women” television show, painfully talk about her battle with depression and her weight while on the show. Maya Angelou share words of wisdom, the talented and energized Carol Channing with her husband, an Armenian at that.. Harry Kullijian express deep concerns about our education system, the lack of art programs and creativity. A topic near and dear to my heart, we instantly connected and vowed to make a difference.
Overall, connected with like-mined people is what encourages our dreams, giving it that fire to keep going. Each one us can make a difference, in someone’s life, in our own way…
Helen Keller once said, ”I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do.”
What is the one thing that you can do??
Last night I reconnected back with my 2nd home town, Sydney, Australia via another fabulous event by Advance Australia. Honoring the legendary NFL’s Hall of Fame Ron Barassi . What a trooper he was, having just checked out of Cedar Sini Hospital with Phenomena. Games ON!
Also there was the Architect of the West Hollywood’s Ramada Plaza Hotel, Allan, Abe Land the Mayor of West Hollywood with a great sense of humor, Hon. Chris De Cure -The Consulate General of Australia, Mr. Gary Manuel-Development Manager of Vaustralia part of Virgin Airlines.
Continuing on the nostalgia journey, in the room adjoining the bar there was a gigantic painting of Australian talent/media personalities featuring people like, Paul Hogan, Johnny Farnham, Molly Meldrum, Don Lane, Kate Blanchet, Olivia Newtown John, Hugh Jack man and so many more..it was good playing “Who is that” oh yes..
See how many faces you recognize???
No Aussie event would be perfect, especially related to footies without having meat pies there..now, not being mostly vegetarian, I did manage to eat few of the little ones with couple of glasses of white wine , it triggered an avalanche of my school day memories through my mind.. those were the days..Westfield High School.
A couple months ago I blogged about getting to meet the inspiring author Don Miguel Ruiz. Now, just a short time later, I am happy to say that Don Miguel Ruiz has joined the gang! Dreams do come true.
We’ve been working closely together and are preparing to launch a national one dollar campaign to help Adopt-A-School in need. The one dollar campaign is so important especially now that there are continuous budget cuts for the education system. Each one dollar will move us towards providing schools with onsite and online training and will help to Jump-Start local students and teachers lifestyles and change the world. It’s all being launched very soon so be sure to check back and see when I’ll be appearing in your city!
Last night at a special event by Advance I heard CNN’s journalist Michael Ware talk about his incredible journey from Brisbane to Baghdad. He has lived the ‘War on Terror’ since 9/11, first in Afghanistan, then spending six years in Iraq as a front line journalist. Having a family myself in Baghdad, I was floored when I heard some of the horror stories and what is planned next for Iraq.
He talked about:
It was obvious to see how his up-front and personal experiences in these troubled regions have immensely carved him up to be one of the best journalists out there. It was refreshing to see him laugh, (see photo).
*Being kidnapped by Al Qaeda and surviving
*Dodging death every day
*Living in Baghdad near-continuously since before the American invasion
”When I look at a child's face, I see HOPE! Hope for tomorrow, hope for society and hope for mankind. Today we can do something towards making a better tomorrow!- Silva Mirzoian
About Silva - Successful Real estate broker/developer turned producer of Multi-Media Jump Start Your Life programs, Author of "Jump-Start Your Life" - 7 steps to waking up from "The Sleep-Walking Mode.", Producer of gangofhope.com and Founder of Passions & dreams Funding, Inc. - a non profit 501 (c)3 public foundation dedicated to influencing positive change in the lives of women and children at risk through education and safe housing.
Recently she launched her "Power of Femininity Forum" bringing together, inspired, passionate and powerful women, all focused on making a difference in society! “
ever get my work done, or have the opportunity to bring in new business, because I am constantly solving their problems.” So I asked her to repeat that statement again, but asked her to listen to what she had just said.
