to a leadership role. If someone wants a leadership position as a result of tenure, my advice is that they go to work for the federal government. They will be in good company. All we have to do is consider the U.S. Postal Service to discover where “birthright leadership” gets an organization—bloated and bankrupt.

with your thoughts on what leadership vulnerable, while bringing to maintain success in IS and is NOT. business and in culture. It strength to instill drive and allows you to get outside hunger within their team. David Lykken is president of mortgage This is the type of person your own four walls and strategies and managing partner with who adds tremendous see what others are Mortgage Banking Solutions. He has more value to creating and leaddoing. You can then borthan 35 years of industry experience and ing a purposeful culture. row those best practices has garnered a national reputation, and has and it gives leadership a I’ve been asked, “Are become a frequent guest on FOX Business leaders born or are they different lens to view As I close out this month’s article, I leave News with Neil Cavuto, Stuart Varney, Liz taught?” The answer is, they their world. you with one of my favorite Peter Drucker Claman and Dave Asman with additional evolve through seeing more quotes: “Management is doing things right. guest appearances on the CBS Evening and feeling more. At some Leaders must hold Leadership is doing the right things.” News, Bloomberg TV and radio. He may be point in our lives, most of us strongly to the things they “You become a real I’ll be back next month with more on reached by phone at (512) 977-9900, ext. 10, begin to have compassion do uniquely well and outleader when you are this important topic. Remember to e- or e-mail dlykken@mortgagebankingsolu- for others. We begin to think source or empower others more focused on mail me at DLykken@MBS-Team.com tions.com or dlykken@mbs-team.com. to lead the other tasks. Just more in-depth about our others—when you’re legacy and it stops being willing to make their like a kite, you let the string out and bring it back in at about us and more about needs your needs.” times. If performed correctmaking an impact on the ly, the result is you get lift. There is an art in lives of others. When I was 28-years-old, someone asked when to let go and knowing when to reel it me what is my legacy going to be? In think- back in and have conversations to make sure ing about it, I wondered how I made my the team continues to fly straight. The balwork matter to really make a positive differ- ance is empowering a leadership team to By Hayes Barnard ence. How do I focus my efforts to live a ful- gain autonomy so they can make key decifilled purpose-driven life as a leader? I have sions to grow the business while knowing Through growth, adversity and achieve- team and the employees. What drives them? seen people in their 60s and 70s and they when to reel everyone in to ensure that ment, entrepreneurs wear many hats. To What is their big “why?” Why do they come still don’t get it. You become a real leader the vision and direction are aligned. successfully scale a company, business to work? Why do they do what they do? Our when you are more focused on others— There are moments when you realize leaders need to make the transition from leaders are taught to go “three deep” by ask- when you’re willing to make their needs there are too many initiatives going on “entrepreneur” to “professional,” and from ing the questions that delve through the lay- your needs. This breakthrough typically and it becomes highly distracting. In an entrepreneurial company to a profes- ers of what motivates them by asking each happens depending on your own maturity, the theory of “you can do anything, but sional company. Often, a singular leader person individually “Why?” Why they do wisdom and level of awareness. When a not everything” or “often those who try leads in a singular fashion and it’s all about what they do? This allows for deep emo- person’s efforts are focused on doing good to do too much achieve too little,” you one person’s goals. As a leader of a grow- tional connections and creates loyalty. We and contributing to the greater good of oth- must learn to guide a team to accoming group of talented individuals, I have want to hire leaders who are willing to cre- ers, you have the foundation of a leader. plish specific goals and remain aligned discovered the value of thinking and lead- ate meaningful work with their team. We to effectively achieve successful results. ing more globally. There’s a saying: look for those that are willing to go three The keys to successful A successful leader has a mindset that “Human beings hallucinate when not deep and discover in their own teams what leadership sets the stage for others to follow. Your communicated to.” As a company grows, a really drives their people.  Design strategies and recipes for success: energy is their energy. Your passion is leader needs to, early and often, address Good leaders understand how to balCreate rituals and a culture of inspiring their passion. If you have no energy or any undertones or rumblings that take ance passion with pragmatic, professional fun, as well as company achievements. passion, then the organization has no place culturally within an organization. and well-thought-out business fundamenFocus on replicating things that work. To energy or passion. My constant goal is to Our leadership team developed a weekly tals. But to become an outstanding leader scale a company forward, you have to inspire people to do what they love to do, company-wide, interactive video confer- in our organization, we are searching for find the strategies that allow successful to help them find meaning or a purpose ence to connect the hearts of our team. We someone fulfilled by contribution. Most people to be successful. that motivates them to succeed in life. talk about what’s working, share informa- leaders have learned the value of leading Effective leaders enable others to discovtion and ideas, and address challenges to with integrity and hard work. Along with  Be transparent and genuine: Share er themselves and what they contribute gain genuine perspective and rapport. It’s those valuable principles, we look for leadaccurate perspectives of the company … both to their own lives and the lives of a time to ask transparent questions and it ers that are driven by love and growth. and its future. For a team to make edu- others. I am inspired by the energy and allows the organization to be authentic. Those two driving forces have the purposecated decisions they have to be aware enthusiasm that our team brings to the This provides the whole group access to ful depth to really touch the hearts of our of what’s going on. communities in which we serve. Now leaders and creates trust. It reminds every team and ignite true passion. more than ever, our leadership team valone of our company’s purpose and the As an example, sales leaders can be self-  Find your personal best and design ues the importance of giving back and principles that enable our customers to ish with a “What have you done for me incentives for others to find their best the power of connecting the hearts of enjoy doing business with us. lately?” mentality. We want leaders on our selves: It takes competition off the others to change people’s lives in a posiThe world and corporate America want team to come from a mindset that includes table and allows employees to design a tive way. us to treat employees like numbers, to fit teaching, coaching, inspiration and love. path to their own personal best goals. them in a box and define rigid lines. Leaders They know how to show others how to be Hayes Barnard is president of Sacramento, are faced with balancing people with prof- successful, find purpose and gratitude in  Borrow best practices from other suc- Calif.-based Paramount Equity. He may be its and social value with economic value. My helping propel others forward. They have cessful companies: Engage in site visits reached by phone at (877) 290-9991 or visit mentality is to dig deep with my leadership discovered the art of being humble and and learn what other organizations do ParamountEquity.com.

Leadership: Igniting Extraordinary Results Through Passion, Purpose and Love

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WISCONSIN MORTGAGE PROFESSIONAL MAGAZINE  APRIL 2012