Twenty Years with Close To My Heart!



Card from CTMH

Today is a landmark day for me...it's my 20th anniversary with Close To My Heart!!!!!  I have been reflecting back on the past 20 years and I am so thankful for the many blessing that being a part of CTMH have brought me.  I am perhaps a minority in that I joined for the business opportunity and by diligently working my business, the financial rewards have far exceeded my expectations.  But more importantly, the amazing relationships both new and lasting that I have with the people in our company and the customers I have met are what have sustained me during the ups and downs. 

I am thankful for great leadership from Jeanette and her management team and my wonderful upline, Karen Morris without whom I can't imagine not sharing the past 20 years.   I never dreamed we would have something as awesome and fun as Studio J and I look forward to the next 20 years to see what innovations lay in-store for us.  Thank you to my team for allowing me to be a part of your life.

Dana Swadling sent me this article and she said it made her think of me.  She's right, it spoke to me and how I've tried to approach leadership.  Please, please if you are in need of assistance with your CTMH business in whatever your vision of success is, whether is be as a casual seasonal seller or a career business person, give a call or email, I'd love to help you!

What Every Leader Needs…

 by Fish! Philosophy on April 11, 2011

Rob Gregory, owner of Rochester Ford Toyota, tells of a mentor of his who told him, “When things go incorrectly, do you know where you should start? There’s a nice big mirror in the men’s room, go down and take a look there first.” Rob continues, “Oh, he used to make me angry! I would say, ‘That’s not the problem, it’s them!’”
He realized, though, that he didn’t really have any control over anyone, “but at least sometimes, I stand a chance with me. And that’s where it starts.”

Leadership Tip…

As leaders it is very easy to assume the role of Mr./Mrs. Fix It (leadership tip). It is so easy to see the faults of everyone around us and it is a place that is very normal for us to go. Just watch one episode of American Idol and you will, temporarily at least, see yourself as one of America’s top talent critics.
Left unchecked, we do the same thing with our families and especially in the workplace. If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard the phrases, “If they would just…”, “What were they thinking?”, or “If I were in charge…”.
The problem with this approach as a leader is that, even though it is easy to see what needs to be fixed in them (them being your team)…IT IS NOT ABOUT THEM!
Sorry for shouting but let’s get this straight once and for all, they are what they are and do what they do in large part because they have the leader they have. If you want to affect them, then get to the closest mirror and take a look.
Leadership starts with you.

Leading From the Front

If you ever want to experience a living example of this, go witness, or better yet attempt to herd sheep. If you try to push sheep they are very slow to respond and will eventually scatter.

You have to step up and be accountable for the integrity you expect from them, the honesty you expect from them and the commitment you expect from them.

However, if you get out in front of them and lead them they may follow. I say “may follow” because sheep won’t just follow anyone. They depend on their instincts in order to know when it is safe to follow you. Once they trust you they will follow you wherever you go. Just walk out front and here they come. Sound familiar?
I am not inferring that your team is a bunch of sheep, but this shows us a very important aspect about leadership. You must go first. You will be infinitely more successful in achieving the team goals if you are “being” what you would like them to “be”. This concept has been around a while, Socrates said it this way, “Let him that would move the world, first move himself.”

Knowing Is Not Enough

It is not enough to “know” this. If you want to have the team you’ve always dreamed of and the results you know are possible, then you have to weave this idea into your actions. You have to step up and be accountable for the integrity you expect from them, the honesty you expect from them and the commitment you expect from them. Every day, every meeting, every phone call, create the standard through your behaviors and they will follow you.
Now you’re leading.

Shout-Outs:
I'd like to extend a heartfelt WELCOME to the following ladies who are now part of my 1st Downline.
Debbi Bussell, Tindy Hunter, Glenda Maxwell, Casey Hoke, Christina Gyetvai, Becky Martin, Laura Andrade and Adina Godin.

CONGRATULATIONS to the following Leaders for their Promotions in March - Awesome job of growing your teams!
  * are my first downline

Consultant Name	Previous Title	New Title
Betsy Gully *	Manager	Executive Manager
Irene Gingerich *	Manager	Executive Manager
Robin Charvet *	Consultant	Supervisor
Katrina Anderson *	Consultant	Supervisor
Tracey Raczkowski *	Consultant	Supervisor
Joyce Houck	Executive Manager	Senior Executive Manager
Patricia Ervin	Consultant	Supervisor
Karen Taylor	Consultant	Supervisor
Janis Purves	Consultant	Supervisor
Diana Rogers	Consultant	Supervisor
Tina Shelly	Consultant	Supervisor
Rayna Martin	Consultant	Supervisor
Pamela Royster	Consultant	Supervisor
Janet Mills	Consultant	Supervisor
Shelly Edwards	Consultant	Supervisor
Michon Benic	Consultant	Supervisor
Melody Paulishak	Consultant	Supervisor
Kimberly Derico	Consultant	Supervisor
Koni Dotson	Consultant	Supervisor
Amy Raftery	Executive Manager	Senior Executive Manager
Karen Pepe	Consultant	Supervisor
Sarita Schraeder	Manager	Executive Manager
Janice Franceschi	Supervisor	Manager
Sarah McLean	Consultant	Supervisor
LINDA COUTURE	Consultant	Supervisor
Keri Churchwell	Consultant	Supervisor
Charity Lazore	Consultant	Supervisor
Ronda Knapp	Consultant	Supervisor

Creative Corner:

Are you ever at a loss of what to say on the inside of a card or don't have just the right stamp for the outside?  I found this great magazine that can help.  I love the one on the bottom right of the cover!

 

This is the award Layout I received at Karen's Leadershare for Top Team Sales for 4th Quarter 2010 - It really belongs to the entire Connected Hearts Team. Congratulations everyone!



My award for 2nd place Personal Sales for 4th Qtr 2010
The CTMH art department did a wonderful job.  I love the layouts!

 Next week I will have LOTS of art to share from the Oregon Team meeting.  Stay tuned....

Quote of the week: I thought this quote went well with my article

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

                                               - Serenity Prayer