I've known businesspeople who were not realistic thinkers. Here's the good news: they were very positive and had a high degree of hope for their business. Here's the bad news: hope is not a strategy.

Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them.

Real leadership is being the person others will gladly and confidently follow.

If you want to tap into your discernment potential, work in your areas of strength.

Opportunity doesn't come to the door knocking. You've got to go out and look for it.

If you're in the habit of listening only to the facts and not the person who expresses them, change your focus - and really listen.

If you don't already have a mentor, go out and find one. If you can't get someone to help you in person, begin the process by reading books. That's where I got started. The main thing is to get the process under way.

He that thinketh he leadeth and hath no one following him is only taking a walk.

The bottom line in managing your emotions is that you should put others – not yourself – first in how you handle and process them. Whether you delay or display your emotions should not be for your own gratification. You should ask yourself, What does the team need? Not, What will make me feel better?