Many people ask me for leadership tips using NLP, so here are 10 tips. Rather than focusing on specific tools or techniques, this article covers the spirit of NLP, and those who have taken NLP training will know exactly which tools to apply.

1. You propel yourself into movement!
It is not about setting a goal (well formed outcome,) it is about doing the action to actually reach it. This is how you become a true leader, and others will rally behind you. There is nothing that gets off the ground unless you move!

2. Understand failure is feedback
You understand that the presuppositions of NLP are correct! The ultimate rejection from my previous employer, because inherently my body rejected my own life style, could have been my greatest failure. However, it was the greatest feedback of my life, propelling me into a different leadership role and finding my purpose. As a leader, you understand that the process that led towards failure is one that is worth your while. This is where you learn. Failure is merely a stepping stone to achieve greatness.

3. Leaders aren’t victims
It’s about switching from unresourceful states to more resourceful ones. The make-up of a leader isn’t one of victimhood or entitlement! Focusing on what other people have done to you, or the fact that you feel someone owes you something, is paving your way to stuckness. Leaders have the mentality of a survivor, even a hero, in other people’s eyes. A true leader has the ability to crawl out of a hole, and climb a mountain right after. “Wear a mouth guard,” is what Walt Disney once said in regards to building your own dream. No one cares, unless they have reason to.

4. Ideas are mere thoughts; it’s creation that is relevant
Dream of this, think of that, brain storm some more, and then on to the next idea, right? Wrong! Ideas are absolutely worthless, unless they come with action: with the execution of the idea. A painter isn’t an artist, unless they create a painting! Figure out your strategies to push yourself forward into creation.

5. Humility
Humility should be an important value to you. Spend some time in downtime; thinking about those things you are grateful for. Truly see, hear and feel it. It is all about what you do have, not about what you don’t have. That’s what you need to start coding for, you associate into what you do have, you dissociate from what you don’t.

6. The only thing you have to fear is fear itself!
(As former president Roosevelt once said.) A leader doesn’t crawl under the blankets and run for the hills at first sight. You work hard, stepping into a place of excellence or dissociate from fear. This isn’t an invitation to be reckless; it is an invitation to not let fear drive your bus!

7. Your behavior reveals your beliefs, not who you are!
People aren’t their behaviors, but our behaviors are the only information that others see. If you spend your day immobilized and nagging, that says a lot about what you think you should settle for. Jump to action, to create the perfect life, body, or job … and that will reveal your beliefs! Words are just words. What does your behavior display? What do you want to believe?

8. A leader always keeps learning!
One of my mentors once told me that she reads 50 pages a day! A wise lesson I learned at 23. At present time I spend 20-40 minutes a day studying, reading, and learning. And that’s excluding the things I learn while doing or experiencing life. I examine my life and those around me, from a perspective of what there is to learn. I grew and continue to grow my professional skill set through doing, while being a coach, trainer, and all the different hats I wear as an entrepreneur. Do your work!

9. Persevere!
Perseverance is what sets a great leader apart from someone who is not a leader. Often it is the only difference.

10. Leaders Grow More Leaders
Leaders step into the shoes of others, and teach them how to be great leaders! Leaders grow leaders. But beware: once you discover someone doesn’t possess the qualities above, you have to have the courage to let them go (wear a mouthguard.)