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A man was walking through the forest and saw a fox that had lost its legs. He couldn’t help wondering how it was able to survive.

A few minutes later he saw a tiger come by with some game in its mouth.

The tiger sat down to eat his game. Then, when he was full, he left the rest of his game for the fox.

The next day, and the day after, the same thing happened. The tiger brought his catch, had his share, and left the remainder for the fox.

The man began to wonder Why do I need to work so hard? Why not just sit back and trust that everything I need will come to me?Ìý Why don’t I live like the fox and trust that my needs will be taken care of?

And so the next day, the man came back to the forest and sat himself down at the trunk of a tree and did nothing.Ìý He placed all his trust in the fact that his needs would be met.

But as days went by, nothing happened—except that the man grew weaker and weaker.

By the end of the week he was near death, and in his delirium he heard a clear voice:

Why did you choose to imitate the disabled fox and not follow the lead of the tiger?

So many times in life and leadership we want to take the easy road. We feel entitled; we believe that good things should come our way whether or not we earn them.

But leadership is not about entitlement but hard work. To be our most effective, we should follow the lead of the tiger in the gifts we bring to those around us.

Tigers are a symbol of strength and power—courageous, active, and self-assured.

Lead with strength and self-assurance and you will bring the gift of fervent inspiration.

Tigers are fearless—they disregard danger and rush in where more cautious individuals would fear to tread.

Lead without fear and you will bring the gift of forceful courage.

Tigers are dynamic. Their energy and vitality are boundless.

Lead with enthusiasm and you will bring the gifts of intense creativity.

Tigers are independent, unconventional, and optimistic, daring fighters who are willing to stand up for what they think is right.

Lead with independence and tenderhearted tenacity and you will bring the gift of fierce commitment.

We always have a choice: we can sit idly by and wait for someone else’s leftovers, or we can go out and lead.

Lead From Within: No single trait of your leadership will be guaranteed to change the trajectory of your followers or company or relationships, but your leadership—in the sum of all its parts—will make a difference one person at a time. So make it as fierce as a tiger.

Lolly Daskal is the president and founder of Lead From Within a coaching and consultant firm that manages large scale corporate coaching and custom made leadership programs. Connect with

© 2013 Lolly Daskal. All rights reserved.

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In business today, every leader, every boss, every chief executive officer, wants their company to be successful and so they advocate for tough-minded attitudes and strong-willed personalities.

And in doing so, they sometimes miss the mark of creating the success they are after. They forget that for leadership to work, for business to excel, you need a balance. It takes not only tough-mindedness but also tenderheartedness to make a business succeed and grow.

A great leader partners a tough mind with a tender heart.

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A tough-minded leader needs to also advocate for tenderhearted skills.

To do so, you need to lead with these attributes:

Tough-minded on focus and tenderhearted in flexibility.ÌýGreat leaders need focus to gain success, but they must be flexible and agile in all circumstances to be truly successful.

Tough-minded on values and tenderhearted in appreciation. Great leaders understand that their values are the stamp of their leadership, but they will go out of their way to show appreciation for others; for who they are and what matters to them.

Tough-minded about creativity and tenderhearted in imagination. Great leaders know that creativity is the essence of innovation, but they must be soft-hearted enough to engage and embrace the imagination of others if they want to fuel innovation.

Tough-minded toward vision and tenderhearted in valor. Great leaders know to be successful they must have a clear and succinct vision so others know the direction, but they must also encourage acts of courage, flexibility, and boldness to ensure that their vision is successfully achieved.

Tough-minded on standards and tenderhearted about purpose. Great leaders understand you must not compromise on standards, but they also recognize that each person has their own purpose, and they allow others to express their meaning.

Tough-minded on accountability and tenderhearted in admiration. Great leaders knows they must show results and be responsible, but an important aspect of their success is acknowledging and appreciating those who have helped them secure those results.

When we have confidence in our people,and we treat them with a tender heart, they trust us with the tough decisions and stick with us through even the toughest times.

Do not mistake a tender heart for a weakened mind, and do not confuse a tough mind for a heartless soul.

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If you want to excel in business and transcend in leadership, allow your tough mind and tender heart to integrate.



Lead From Within: We must remember we cannot be too much of one thing and not enough of its complement. We must find the equilibrium in everything—in our personal life, in business, and especially in effective leadership.

Photo Art: In Japanese, kanji “kokoroâ€� can also be pronounced as â€�shin“~Ìý Shin means “heartâ€� and can also mean â€�³¾¾±²Ô»å.â€�

We need the integration of heart and mind to make us whole.

Lolly Daskal is the president and founder of Lead From Within a coaching and consultant firm that manages large scale corporate coaching and custom made leadership programs. Connect with

© 2013 Lolly Daskal. All rights reserved.

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The biggest fallacy that some leaders subscribe to is that intimacy has no place in leadership or business. They subscribe to this fallacy out of fear and a need to protect themselves.

They fear that if they become intimate—that is, if they allow their true selves to be revealed to others—they might lose respect, lose their importance, and lose their power.

The fallacy of intimacy is that if you don’t engage you won’t get hurt.

But life has a way of exposing us, even if we don’t want to be revealed.

Every day, in a thousand ways, we disclose ourselves to the people around us—in our teams and organizations, among our peers, and even with our partners.

Everything we say and everything we do reveals something about who we are. Even the things we don’t say and the things we don’t do tell others something about us.

If you are the kind of leader who is busy building walls and hiding behind masks so you can feel protected, your thinking has one terrible flaw: the things that you feel will protect � will also be what walls you off.

Any leader who has not had their heart touched is leading from a hidden heart.

To bring intimacy into your leadership, you have to be:

Aware. When we allow ourselves to be aware, we have no need to look to others to validate our feelings. We are the first to listen to our heart, then our leadership becomes anchored in self appreciation.

Vulnerable. When we allow others to see our vulnerability we are accepting all of who we are, our entire selves, then our leadership becomes more truthful.

Committed. When we allow others to see what we are committed to, we show them what is deeply important to us, then our leadership becomes more responsible.

Honest. When we speak from the truth, and we say only what we mean andÌý keep our actions aligned with our words then our leadership becomes deeply rooted in integrity.

Connected. When we allow others to see who we are really are, we can connect on a deeper level, and our leadership becomes focused on people and relationships—then our leadership becomes one of loyalty.

Trustworthy. When we allow others to see our authentic selves, we become trustworthy. Trust then allows our leadership to be honest about ourselves even if it makes us uncomfortable.

Only after we open ourselves can we intimately lead others.

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The truth about intimacy is that it allows others to relate to us on a more worthwhile level. It gives us permission to care more, it entitles us to be more,Ìý it grows more connections and deeper relationships, it builds more resilient teams, it fosters a positive culture in our business, and it leads to a more purposeful leadership.

Lead From Within: Intimacy is not a leadership responsibility. But it should be. And when you treat it as a responsibility, it benefits everyone.

Lolly Daskal is the president and founder of Lead From Within a coaching and consultant firm that manages large scale corporate coaching and custom made leadership programs. Connect with

© 2013 Lolly Daskal. All rights reserved.

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Reputation is the basis of leadership, no matter the job. It is built over many years, one word at a time, one action at a time, one deed at time. In leadership, few things matter more.

Reputation is among the most treasured and powerful assets. It is what others think of us, and it’s at the foundation of how we distinguish ourselves.

Our reputation is ours, very personal but also very easy to lose.

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Reputations are earned slowly and are lost quickly.

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We must guard our reputation like a precious gift; we must nurture it and nourish it daily.

Character. The key goal in shaping your reputation by having your personal character stand as a driving force for everything you do and say. If you want to discover the true reputation of a person, you have only to observe what their character is all about.

Code. To make the right decisions you need the right moral compass and the right grounding to tell you what is right and what is important. At times, it may take every fiber of determination to behave in keeping with the values you hold dear, but doing so will allow your moral code to reveal itself in your actions.

Connection. Every person you encounter is looking to see if you are genuine, if you’re in sync, if you’re open to connection. Your reputation grows best among people you have seen, heard, and valued.

Communication. When you communicate, your goal should always be the alignment of perception and reality. Your reputation stems from what you say as well as what you do.

Caring. When you care you make people feel respected and valued. Caring is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of strength. It is the framework of your leadership, and it develops your thinking, being and doing.

Commitment. Reputation is created through a sense of ownership and accountability. You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do, but you can build a solid reputation on doing what you say you will do.

Credibility. There is a strong link between credibility and a great reputation. We know that the presence of trust leads to a strong reputation. You always want to be proud of what you do and make sure it reflects your values and principles. To be credible you want must be true to yourself and others at all times.

Sad but true, reputation boils down to what others think of us and how they judge us. If we get caught up with everyone, we will lose out on everything.Ìý We will miss out on what we are here to achieve, and what we want to accomplish.

It will be our character demonstrated over and over again, that will let others know who we are. And how our skills to our responsibilities and our passions for excellence leads in everything we do.

At the end of the day, we serve our reputation best by leading with our best self and letting our character speak for itself.

If we have character, our reputation will take care of itself.

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Lead from Within: Reputation matters, but character will always lead the way.



Lolly Daskal is the president and founder of Lead From Within a coaching and consultant firm that manages large scale corporate coaching and custom made leadership programs. Connect with

© 2013 Lolly Daskal. All rights reserved.

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I wear many hats, and one of them is being a motivational speaker. I love that part of my work, but when I get hired, without fail, the client always asks, “Can you really get them motivated? Can you really give them drive?�

And I always reply with utter confidence, “Yes, I can.� Because I know the motivation they’re seeking really starts from within.

Motivation is an individual response to an unfolding of pattern of inner needs, ranging from respect to recognition to relevance.

Motivation answers the basic question of why people do what they do and why they behave in a certain way. So if I can address people from within, I know they will be motivated.

Motivational drivers are different for everyone. They are as unique as we are.

To understand motivation we must know what drives us.

Here are a few motivators:Ìý â€�



Recognition. The need to be recognized is a significant motivator. We all want to know that we are appreciated. We seek validation from external sources. Feeling undervalued or unappreciated usually ends up as a lack of motivation.

Freedom. The need to have freedom is an important motivator. Freedom activates our own self-empowerment. Freedom prompts us to make decisions, to take ownership, to be responsible, to make plans, to dream big

Impact. The urge to have an impact is powerful motivator. People who have influence chance things. They get things done and they attain respect.Ìý The idea of having impact motivates us to think deeper about how we can use our talent and influence.

Service. The urge to be of service is one of our strongest motivators; it comes not from our ego, but from our heart. It is based not in personal gain but in making a difference in people’s lives.

Passion. The power of our passion is a profound motivator. The desire to get things done, to excel, to give of ourselves—those are all grounded in passion, the powerful feeling of enthusiasm that we all have inside of us.

Meaning. The desire for meaning is a revealing motivator, because one of the things we all share is a desire for a higher purpose, a yearning to be part of something bigger than ourselves. It is meaning that makes our lives into a calling.

The specificÌý motivators are different for each person, but we can find ours by addressing our value system. That means the most reliable source of motivation will come from one person, and that person is you.

Motivators compel you into action. Values are principles that guide your actions.

ÌýMotivation stirs the heart; it is the driving force of our achievements.

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There are many ways to motivate others, but first you must know what motivates you. Only a motivated leader motivates others.

Motivation is caught, not taught.

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Lead From Within: To find your motivation, you must constantly make anÌý effort to understand yourself and provide yourself with the means of addressing your own drivers.

Lolly Daskal is the president and founder of Lead From Within a coaching and consultant firm that manages large scale corporate coaching and custom made leadership programs. Connect with

© 2013 Lolly Daskal. All rights reserved.

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Everyone has the potential to be a leader, regardless of title or position.

But many people give themselves the title of leader, and expect others to think of them as a leader without actually understanding the meaning of leadership.

There are also those who have been positioned as a leader by others. They may be ranked at the top of a hierarchy and hold an important position, but who fail us when we need them.

Whether we are granted the title of leader by others or take it upon ourselves, we must remember that leadership is an honor and aÌýprivilege and something that must be earned—because others are counting on us and they are placing their trust in us.

Leadership, regardless of labels, must be earned.

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In short, you earn leadership by knowing what matters.

Behavior matters. It doesn’t matter what your rank or role may be, where you come from, or if your title sounds impressive, you are not leader if your behaviors don’t demonstrate the integrity of doing the right thing.

Trust matters. Leaders must earn trust. You must set the example, know that you are setting the example, and have a deep understanding that trustworthiness takes character. To be trusting requires values, to be trusted requires earning the privilege.

Service matters. True leaders understand: Leadership is not about you but about those you serve. It is not about ennobling yourself but bringing others up. The best way to earn your leadership is to lose yourself in the service of elevating others.

Influence matters. Leadership is neither a title nor a position, it is a demonstration of character that is worthy of imitation, emulation and inspiration.

“Why� matters. When you dig deep into an organization and employees can tell you the deeper purpose and the mission of their organization, you will discover strong leadership there. Leadership means knowing how to manage and empower every level of your organization.

Listen to learn. Learn to earn.Ìý Earn to lead.

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Earning the title of leader does not depend on how many diplomas we have received, or which corner office we have, or how much money we make, or what title we decide to give ourselves.

Leaders in all realms of life and leadership know that the power they have come to hold exists because they have earned the responsibility of serving the many. Leadership is ultimately a position of service, trust, and character

Lead From Within: Leadership is not patronage, power and position. It is about the service you give to show you care, the trust you bestow to show your integrity, the character you embody.Ìý It’s more about reaching out instead of climbing up.

Lolly Daskal is the president and founder of Lead From Within a coaching and consultant firm that manages large scale corporate coaching and custom made leadership programs. Connect with

© 2013 Lolly Daskal. All rights reserved.

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When things get messed up—and they do—some people respond with lying, denying or minimizing their own responsibility.

Leaders know that to be respected or trusted they must be accountable. They must be willing to beÌýresponsibleÌýeven before they know how things will turn out.

If it is to be, it’s up to me:

Accountability starts with you. It means you are responsible. It’s not so much a way of thinking as a way of being, and it starts from within.

Accountability is about being reliable. Ask yourself “Can people count on me to do what I say I’ll do, as I said I would do it?� You must always keep your word.

AccountabilityÌýis ownership. It’s the willingness to hold yourself to account, it means taking totally ownership no matter the mess up

Accountability is about creating clarity. When you are accountable you clear up the gaps and voids of expectations and what you are going to be doing.

Accountability is about trustworthiness. When you are responsible and you make a commitment, you hold yourself to a high standard where others know and can trust in you.

Accountability is a partnership. Partnerships are about support and mutual accountability; when you are held accountable by a partner, it’s important to recognize and respect the power of their intention and respond with appreciation rather than anger.

Successful leaders front load accountability into their leadership development.

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Being accountable begins with accepting responsibility and leading from a place of action.
Choices + Behaviors + Actions = Accountability

I am accountable means you are able to count on me: if it is to be, it’s up to me.

Great leaders who are bound by their word are liberated by their accountability.

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Lead From Within: You are the leader of your life. Consider the importance of accountability and work to incorporate it in every area you influence.

Lolly Daskal is the president and founder of Lead From Within a coaching and consultant firm that manages large scale corporate coaching and custom made leadership programs. Connect with

© 2013 Lolly Daskal. All rights reserved.

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Life is always telling us what we need to START doing. But it does not concentrate as much on the things we need to STOP doing.

We use all kinds of strategies to stop our life, love, and leadership and we have all kinds of mechanisms that we have cultivated in order to stop moving forward.

There are people who will laugh just so they can stop their tears.

There are people who will be center of attention just so they can stop feeling lonely.

There are people who will pretend to be happy just so they can stop their sadness.

What we don’t realize is that sometimes our behaviors keep us hidden from our greatness.

If we are to be successful this year in our life, leadership, and loving, we might need to put a stop to a few things

I have put together a short STOP list. Feel free to add your own items.




LIFE:

Stop being late.

Stop being so sad.

Stop bragging.

Stop doubting yourself.

Stop being so anxious.

Stop thinking you are the only one suffering.

Stop complaining.

Stop being so dramatic.

Stop being a martyr.

Stop being so ashamed.

Stop doing things you don’t believe in.

Stop thinking you are not worthy.

Stop being so angry.

Stop lying.

Stop wondering “what if.�




LEADERSHIP:

Stop interrupting.

Stop over scheduling.

Stop being bossy.

Stop being afraid of success.

Stop working so hard for so little.

Stop being a perfectionist.

Stop being judgmental.

Stop sabotaging yourself.

Stop being hypocritical.

Stop being narcissistic.

Stop criticizing others.

Stop having an affair.

Stop being an enabler.

Stop being a cliche.

Stop craving public attention.




LOVING:

Stop settling.

Stop being mean.

Stop arguing.

Stop being unhappy.

Stop looking over your shoulder for better.

Stop being moody.

Stop running from relationships.

Stop blaming yourself.

Stop being selfish.

Stop apologizing for yourself.

Stop being rude.

Stop philandering.

Stop being down on yourself.

Stop being spoiled.

Stop being afraid of commitment.

To stop is to change and to change is to transform.

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What we have been doing does not have to become our fate. We can always choose to stop:

Stop impacting our lives in negatives ways.

Stop defining our moments by the behaviors of the past.

Stop reliving our habits that don’t work for us.

And, most of all stop apologizing for who we are.

Life is about learning, growing, and constantly developing.

We have starting many things, we are learning many things, and sometimes we have to stop many things.

You can’t stop the future or rewind the past, but you can stop what is not working in the present.

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The time to stop is now because everything we want to achieve, to learn, to share can begin right now. If we don’t live within our best, if we don’t love with all our heart, if we don’t lead with compassion, then when will we?

Lead From Within: be the kind of leader who stops competing, stops judging, stops comparing, stops blaming and become a better you. For who? For you. When? Now!

Lolly Daskal is the president and founder of Lead From Within a coaching and consultant firm that manages large scale corporate coaching and custom made leadership programs. Connect with

© 2013 Lolly Daskal. All rights reserved.

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As one year comes to close and another begins, we are drawn to making new plans, setting new goals, and assessing whether we have made a difference.

For many of us, that assessment begins with questioning everything that we have done, everything we are about to do, and everything we might do.

It’s a rare thing to have great questions, let alone great answers.

But when we can ask ourselves the rightÌýquestions, they can lead us to insightful answers.

The following questions can make a difference in your life:

What am I most passionate about? What do you love with all your heart?ÌýWhat do you feel strongly about? Ask yourself, are you living a life of passion?

Who can I encourage?ÌýWe all (myself included) need encouragement from time to time. Who do you know who may be struggling and in need of help?

What do I need to let go of?ÌýÌý Let go of baggage.You know the people you need to forgive, relationships that need to end. Let go and lighten your load for your journey. How will you open your heart and allow yourself to let go?

What am I grateful for? To be grateful is to acknowledge all that is good in your life. It is the foundation of abundance. What are you grateful for and who do you need to thank?

How can I add value to others?ÌýLife is about service to others, and there are many opportunities to serve and to make a difference. Where and how will you add value?

Who do I love and what am I doing about it?ÌýWe can get so caught up in our day-to-day stresses that we lose our connection, our desire to be loved and loving. Where can you focus on love?

What am I pretending not to know?ÌýAll possibilities open up when we stop deceiving ourselves. If you stop pretending, life can be easier to face.

What would I do if fear was not an option? We have assigned immense power to our fears. How can we liberate ourselves from our fear and allow our heart to set us free? Think of that one thing, that scares you and go out and do it today!

How do I want the world to be different because I lived in it?ÌýWe each have a purpose and we create ourÌýlivesÌýby living our passion and we make a difference by sharing our heart. What mark are you leaving on this world and how will you be remembered?Ìý

At the end of the day, let there be no excuses, no explanations, no regrets.

By asking ourselves questions that force us to think, feel, and look within ourselves, we can confront what is important to us.

Questions are an invitation to learn more about what we value most.

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Many of us look at our problems and challenges and try to find ways to solve them andÌýwhen we know our values our decisions become easier.

Living is an art of expression; reasoning is an art of thought.

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Do not allow your reasoning to get in the way of your living. Approach all that you do with the right questions and then make the time to live with what matters most to you.

Lead From Within:ÌýIf you want to make a difference in your life and your leadership, you must begin by asking yourself questions that provoke thought, focus and action that leads to a life of more meaning and more substance.

Lolly Daskal is the president and founder of Lead From Within a coaching and consultant firm that manages large scale corporate coaching and custom made leadership programs. Connect with

© 2013 Lolly Daskal. All rights reserved.

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When it comes to giving gifts, we all think about things we can purchase or make. But to give a gift whose value endures, give it from your heart.

ÌýThe best gifts are given from the heart.

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A gift that is given from the heart, given to the right person at the right time and place, given with expectation of nothing in return, is a gift that will keep on giving.

In the language of the heart, giving translates as offering a part of yourself to someone who, at that moment, needs it more than you do.

So give from the heart to those who need to receive the most:

To those who feel betrayed, give the gift of loyalty.

To those who feel anxious, give the gift of tranquility.

To those who feel isolated, give the gift of belonging.

To those who feel ambiguity,Ìýgive the gift of certainty.

To those who feel pain, give the gift of comfort.

To those who feel vulnerable, give the gift of safety.

To those who feel insecure, give the gift of confidence.

To those who feel lost, give the gift of guidance.

To those who feel dissatisfied, give the gift of contentment.

To those who feel envious, give the gift of worthiness.

To those who feel empty, give the gift of admiration.

To those who feel distressed, give the gift ofÌýcalmness.

To those who feel unheard, give the gift of listening.

To those who feel angry, give the gift ofÌý love.

The most meaningful gifts are often the ones that come from the heart and are given in compassion and love.

Giving is a way of filling your own heart, but the true gift will be in the receiving.

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As we look beyond the gifts we have been given to those we are receiving, know that there is a plan and purpose in these gifts, just as there is a plan and purpose within each new challenge and adventure.

Lead From Within: By giving from the heart you not only honor others, you also honor yourself because you are allowing your heart to do what it was made to do � give and receive.

Lolly Daskal is the president and founder of Lead From Within a coaching and consultant firm that manages large scale corporate coaching and custom made leadership programs. Connect with

© 2013 Lolly Daskal. All rights reserved.

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