Today's Leadership Insight - Relentless Preparation

August 26th, 2009

Part 4 of Rudy Giuliani's Six Leadership Principles Explained.

#4 of 6 - Prepare Relentlessly

Have you ever seen an NFL quarterback throw for 300 yards and four touchdowns in a single game without preparing for the opposing defense all six days prior to the matchup?

Have you ever seen a professional golfer set course records without hours spent on the driving range and putting green, working on every mechanic of their physical and mental game?

Have you ever seen a presentation given that wasn't preceded by weeks, even months of research to ensure every important point was covered in detail?

The answer to all these questions is no. The results these professionals earn are the direct result of the time they put into preparation.

Even the simplest things in life can go array without proper preparation. I'm sure you've been to a wedding reception where the best man felt he could wing his speech, then ends up stammering over his words as he nervously tries to assemble a coherent thought.

Preparation can help you overcome fear. Everyone has been in a situation where they've had to give a presentation they felt nervous about. This could've happened at any age level, and if you're saying you've never been nervous about giving a speech, you're lying to yourself.

There's nothing wrong with fear. A life lived without fear is a life not lived (see Part 3 of Giuliani's Leadership Principles).

But if you prepared for that speech and put relentless effort into absorbing the words you needed to say, chances are it went smoothly, despite any fear you may have had.

Preparation starts the moment you wake up. The thoughts that run through your mind will dictate the direction you take for the rest of the day.

As a leader, you must prepare yourself for everything. Certain obstacles, struggles, and triumphs are going to come at you from all angles, and you must be ready to handle each situation with confidence. A leader is able to take the good with the bad and find the positive in even the worst of negatives.

Today, prepare yourself for the best. Get yourself ready for the life of success you desire by envisioning your goals and plotting a course that allows you to achieve them. Study what it's going to take to accomplish greatness, then apply it to everything you do.

"Failing to prepare is preparing to fail..."