Leaders spy opportunity where others see obstacles. They plow ahead and pull themselves up by their bootstraps. They share traits that make them leaders in their fields, winners in their circle. Here are ten principles from AQHA Judge Stephanie Lynn that leaders prescribe to for success:
1. Keep your eyes ahead.
Look up – forward on the road to success, the path that will take you where you want to be. Be fearless, relentless in your search. Grab your goals and go for it. When confronted with what initially appears to be a setback, find the silver lining and turn it into a chance for you to grow. You cannot learn to pick up the correct diagonal without looking without picking up the wrong one first.
2. Never say no.
Take on challenges, volunteer, help others reach their goals and you will achieve your goals more quickly. The more people you help, the more doors you will see opening for you. Clear the path for opportunity – push the guy ahead of you and he will pull you up with him by nature.
3. Be the go-to type.
You want to be the go-to type, the one that everyone goes to for answers, help and ideas. This is how you become so important to a project that it cannot be done without you. You will not be left behind, you will see your visions come to fruition and you will meet your goals. Volunteer to serve on the show committee, to raise funds for your team or rally riders around a new class.
4. Deliver results.
If you want to be the go-to person, the one with answers and ideas, the leader, you MUST deliver results. Do not worry about what you will get in return. Instead, concentrate on your contribution. Clean the tack without being asked, saddle another horse for your trainer, clean stalls, sweep the alley, focus on being the best you can be. You will receive accolades only after you have honed your skills, done your homework and put in the time time required to be proficient. There are no short cuts.
5. Take the high road.
Every setback has a way forward. By staying optimistic, the reason for the setback will be made clear. Think, speak and act out of the positive side. Nothing good will ever come from being pessimistic. Understand the problem, figure out why it happened, take the lesson and carry on. Winners look at failure and think “well, I am going to have to try harder next time.” Don’t make excuses. Own up to mistakes and make it right.
6. Leverage your best skills.
Do not waste time thinking about all of the things that could go wrong. Spend your time honing your skills, being the best you can be at one thing at a time. Concentrate on your strengths, build on your assets, your weaknesses will inherently diminish. Continue to ride without your stirrups if Equitation is your best class, perfect your lead change if that is your horse’s best asset.
7. When in doubt, ask for help.
Do not be afraid to ask for assistance. No one has all of the answers, including you. Seek the support, aid, of those in your trust. If you have consistently done number two above, support surrounds you. You are not the first to have dealt with the choices before you. Others have been there, done that and can save you heartache, headache and time. Use your circle, that is the very reason you have invested in developing a circle of advisors.
8. Get over yourself.
Fear, ego and pride can prevent you from seeking advice. Better to swallow those emotions, no matter how bitter, and get to the solution. Do not worry about who gets credit – just get it done. Results….
9. Avoid ruts.
Be careful of the rut on the rail – it is easy to get stuck in it. Get off the rail and test your ability. Do not think that there is only one way to turn the cow. There are always multiple solutions to any problem. Find the one that works bests for you and get it done. Just because one method worked the last three shows, does not mean that it will continue to work in the future. Remember, with horses, you are dealing with more than one living creature, like life, there are multiple moving parts.
10. Want to get ahead quickly?
Acknowledge the areas of trouble and share it with a team member or ask for professional advice. You can almost always tell which one of your friends cuts their own hair…. Seek the advice of a professional. Take your own business as seriously and seek the advice of counsel. By following the above steps, you should have a broad circle from which to choose. If you feel the advice is wrong, get a second opinion but do not hunt for affirmation from friends, seek truth instead.
These are time honored traditional elements that make up the creed for success. As always, your comments are welcome. Contact stephanie@stephanielynn.net for answers to your questions
About Stephanie Lynn: Professional Horseman Stephanie Lynn coached her first AQHA World Champion in 1988. She has since coached, trained and shown World, Congress and Honor Roll horses across disciplines. She is a judge for AQHA, NSBA and APHA and has judged World Championship shows for each association. Most recently, Stephanie is the author of The Good Rider Series and A Lifetime Affair: Lessons Learned Living My Passion. The Good Rider Series is a library of resource material that is both practical and applicable in the barn and show ring for riders. Stephanie can always be reached through her website: http://www.stephanielynn.net to answer your questions, schedule a clinic or lesson.
