We have tried various ways with each of our children to make them champions. The following ten keys apply to making champions of the people you employ, manage or lead.First, work to build self-esteem.
Express confidence in them and in their potential...try not to compare them with each other or with other people.
Second, encourage primary greatness.
Teach them that there are two kinds of greatness: primary greatness -- which is the principle-centered character -- and secondary greatness, which is the greatness that the world acknowledges. Try to inspire them to go primary greatness first and to compensate for character weakness by substituting or borrowing strength from secondary sources (popularity, reputation, possessions, natural talents, and so on).
Third, encourage them to develop their own interest.
When we detect real talent in our children, we encourage them to develop it.
Fourth, try to create an enjoyable culture.
There should be no feeling of limitation, no feeling that you can't do something.
Fifth, plan ahead.
Plan several major team events at least six month in advance.
Sixth, try to set an example of excellence.
We all try to excel in what we do so that excellent becomes an unspoken, unwritten norm. We have never had to tell our kids to study and do their homework, perhaps because they constantly sense the value or reading and learning.
Seventh, teach to visualize to help them realize their own potential.
World-class athletes are almost all visualizers; they literally experience their victories in their minds long before they experience them in fact.
Eighth, adopt their friends.
Any time something gets out of alignment -- when there's a problem with a peer, for example -- we just adopt the peer. It's better than trying to get them to drop the peer.
Ninth, teach them to have faith, to believe and trust others, and to affirm, build, bless and serve others.
If you're going to build champions, you've got to take an interest in people, especially the downcast and outcast. The key to the ninety-nine is the one...People become great if you treat them in terms of their potential. They key to success with people is to believe in them, to affirm them.
Tenth, provide support, resources, and feedback.
We rely on each other for honest feedback, as good feedback is essential to growth.
Building champions requires constant effort. We strive endlessly and find the need to return to the basics often.
Stephen R. Covey
From "Principle-Centered Leadership"
