Tony on Clear Vision Tips

Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me and I may not remember. Involve me and I’ll understand-Native American Proverb Continue reading →

  • Thoughts from Tony …

    • Clear Vision Leadership Tip #128: A leader's ability to get things done right will largely depend on treating people right
    • The Power of a Journal: Over the course of years working with individuals to improve both their lives, their leadership skills and their companies, I have repeatedly encourag...
    • 7 Practices To Keep Your Team Winning: A winning team is easy to spot. Something about the way they get along with each other, the "swagger" they carry and the way they go about their busin...

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  • Hear from Our Clients …

    I asked Tony to be a guest speaker at the Jefferson City NAIFA June 2011 meeting. Tony agreed and gave an A+ presentation to a local group of insurance agents and financial advisors. Speaking on leadership and business growth, Tony captivated the audience and never lost anyone’s attention. What a great speaker – highly recommended!Rahgy AbidirNAIFA
    Tony does an amazing job at understanding how to make our business more efficient and grow. He is an incredible resource and an excellent teacher. He is able to take the best of the best resources and make the information relevant to our world. What separates Tony from other business consultants is that he is using the practices he advises you to use in his own businesses. Additionally he has so much ownership in our business results it feels like he is part owner! He also excels at develo…Jay Bryant-WimpAccurate Rx
    One of the greatest passions in my life is to help people grow, develop, and reach their dreams.Tony RichardsPresidentColumbia, MOClear Vision Development Group
    Tony was the guest speaker at our Small Business of the Year Awards luncheon. We received great feedback on his leadership topic. He kept the crowd engaged and the guests walked away with a few pearls.Carolyn ParisCallaway Bank
    In the areas of creativity and insight, I have yet to meet Tony’s equal. After spending time with Tony, you’ll have a deeper understanding of not just yourself, but of those around you, of what your business does well, where you need to improve, and in what direction you need to go in order to reach your goals. Whether you hire him as a business consultant or as a speaker in the areas of leadership and business acumen, Tony will leave you with “clearer vision” of what it takes to run a s…Amy McNultyCommerce Bank
    Tony is a top notch strategist and overall person. I have learned a lot from him.DJ DallerOnMedia Corporation
    I highly recommend Tony Richards as your consultant! Basically if you are looking for an expert in growth and a higher knowledge in what the next levels for your company should be, Tony fits the bill to a T. His results are superlative, simply unmatched in creativity. There is absolutely no way to lose when hiring Tony as your consultant, He is the best!Jessica WhiteJW Photography
    I have used Tony for a few years and I have been amazed with the impact he has made on the way we do business. Given today’s business environment and the speed at which things change it becomes necessary for an organization to develop a culture of growth minded employees cable of moving forward in unison. Tony worked with our employees and me to grow individually to where we have learned as we grow so does our company. This has allowed us to become a team of leader who can take on personal acc…Ken ThoenenAction Real Estate
    Under Tony’s leadership, I have been exposed to more professional growth and training than anyone else had ever offered me. I credit a large part of my development to Tony, and still look to him for opportunities and challenges.Anna LawrenceWord Marketing
    For those of us in Columbia, Tony provides a national-level leadership resource right here at home. Tony’s insights and business/life experience make him an effective business coach; add that to his ability as a presenter and you have a powerful combination. Hire Tony as a business coach or as a speaker — you’ll be glad you did.Sean SpenceColumbia, MOMarathon Building Environments

Leadership Language

How a leader communicates is important, but also what they are saying is a an important component.

You may have a lot of potential in your current position, and you may have all the signs of having the ability to be promoted, but as an up-and-comer, if you lack leadership language content, you are not going to make it into key leadership positions.

It doesn’t matter if you deserve a promotion, you’ll get passed over, unless you can talk the talk, you’ll never get the chance to walk the walk. You need results and a high level of communication compentency.

The important thing to balance is to leave a strong impression while striving to not be too dominant or chatty and at the same time, don’t be a “person of few words”.

Here are some specific things to focus on:

1. Knowing the key issues the organization is facing. You need to continually stay on and refer to these big issues, do not get distracted or off-track.

2. You should echo the mission, vision and values of the organization. This is what strong leaders do. Always re-read them, do not allow them to get fuzzy to you because they are fuzzy to everyone else.

3. Always make references to where the organization is going, how it will get there and what people need to be doing to accomplish it.

4. Always build and develop a bond of trust. You must always be asking questions, using empathy skills and being an active listener.

5. Keep facilitating communication among others. Most people around you do not know who to talk to, they talk with their favorites, not the best person to handle whatever issue they may be having.

6. Always let people know why you care and what really matters to you. Your inspiration and enthusiasm is contagious. You can get others as excited as you are about the work the organization is doing.

7. Always talk in concrete terms, not in abstract thoughts. Talk specifics, not intangibles. Talk specific metrics and desired results. People need clarity.

You can’t become a leader who influences people without these communication focus points. These skills can be learned, they are not just automatically in leaders, they take focus and practice to release the leader you have inside you.

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