What did he say that was profound?
Co-founder, John Nicholas, and I were discussing examples of the Law of the Slight Edge when he said, "The number one free style swimmer gets gold, while the number four gets nothing, zero, zilch, nada (maybe glory). Yet the difference is often just 10ths of a second. You don't have to be twice as good to be twice as successful. All it takes is just the power of a slight edge. Successful leadership is a lot like that."

How can that work in your favor?
Is it fair that someone only slightly better can get ahead twice as far? Maybe not, but often life situations like that bring opportunity. Why shouldn't that someone be you?

All you need is a slight edge. Leverage your leadership skills and you're headed for the gold or at least the bronze. In any event, you're on the platform being recognized. Your self-talk should be:

"A SLIGHT EDGE = MY SUCCESS!"

Is saving time important to you?
Learn from people who have "been there, done that." Start at square five instead of square one and avoid the bruises and scars that we had to experience. Benefit from that!

Sure, we made mistakes (lot's of 'em)...and learned from them. Having paid those dues we can save you valuable time and energy by being able to advise you what to do and what not to do

The old saying is true, "It's wise to learn from your own experience, but even wiser to learn from the experiences of others." That's how you gain the edge.

Isn't job proficiency enough to get ahead?
Regardless of educational level or years of experience, lack of leadership skills holds more people back, no matter how good they are at their jobs.

In most advancement situations, all other things being equal, the better leader gets the nod. There is a great need for improving leadership skills in all types of organizations.

Are we alone in that observation?
Warren Bennis, leadership professor and renown author on the subject, believes American corporations are over manged and under led.

In his Leader to Leader article of Spring 1999 he stated, "For all the ink it gets in scholarly, business and popular journals, leadership remains an elusive concept...However, whether or not leadership is well understood, its impact on the bottom line is dramatic..."

Rice University, in a survey of CEOs of companies hiring recent MBA graduates (from many different schools), found that leadership skills were lacking.

What does this mean to you?
If major advancement is important to you, then it would benefit you to include ongoing leadership skills development in your life plan (you do have one, don't you?).

Does a poet's warning mean anything to you?
Think long and hard about the most famous line from the 1856 poem Maud Muller by John Greenleaf Whittier: "For all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'"

In years to come that needn't be your lament. You now have a source of key steps, directions and guidance to propel you ahead of where you might have been otherwise. (I would love to use the phrase "life changing" here, but that might be a bit dramatic, even though true.)

When do you plan to start?
How about right now by subscribing to our FREE leadership information source that gives you directions you can apply immediately that gains you the leadership edge. Then add your own diligence and motivation to make it happen.

What does a highly succcessful leader have to say?

Upon subscribing you'll immediately get access to your FREE bonus report and will also receive the first leadership article in your email box titled, "The Best Kept Secret for the Fastest Way to Gain Visibility and Recognition."             

What is the value to you?
Imagine having a leadership mentor visit with you every week providing vital leadership tips and proven techniques that you can review in less than 5 minutes and put to use immediately for results. Sounds like a good idea, doesn't it? The benefits could be crucial to your career and lead to:

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• Major Advancements
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"In the October 2004 issue of the Harvard Business Review there's an article covering how unprepared CEOs were to assume their new roles. That applies to almost every level of management and leadership. Gaining The Edge provides a solid foundation from which to grow and move ahead...especially the way it's presented in a simple common sense format."

Carl G. Schneider, Major General, USAF (Ret.) Scottsdale, AZ