Are You Managing or Leading?

Instead of asking "Why can't my distributors get going?" you should find ways to lead them to want to do it.

When deadlines are pressing and every one's whining, when you've reminded someone of a special that's valid just for this month for the umpteenth time, or when you've seen the usual suspects drag in late to meetings, conference calls, or not grow their business have you ever said in frustration, "Why can't they just do what I'm doing?" Welcome to the club!

At the end of the day, it feels like being an upline is like being a glorified babysitter. The duties are the same but the shoe sizes are bigger. You spend your time chasing your distributors around and reminding them of what they are supposed to do and not do.

There has to be a better way, right?

It's called leadership. When you lead, you create an environment where people decide to follow, to take responsibility, and to beheld accountable. When you manage, you tell people what to do, monitor the progress, and make adjustments. Network Marketing is not about 'managing' your 'employees'. You have no employees. You have distributors. You shouldn't press them to do what they don't want to do; the more you lead and the less you manage, the more successful both you and your distributors will be.

Explain How They Fit in the Bigger Picture

The first step in leadership is determining where you are going. How can people grow their own business if they don't know their purpose? How does their participation in their own business fit in the big picture or even the next cog in the wheel? If they don't know what that next level in the company is, they won't see the big picture. If they don't know what bringing in 10 additional people to their business means for them, they won't do it. People take responsibility more easily when they know what they're responsible for.

The second step is gaining commitment. Make sure you have clearly communicated what it takes to grow their business and that you've provided some sort of training, because if you haven't been specific, you are going to get mixed results.

Then make sure they understand why the system exists and ask them to identify any obstacles that keep them from achieving the system.

As an upline, your job is to provide resources and remove obstacles. When commitment wanes, as it will when the going gets tough, remind people about the importance of their commitment to the big picture. Not your big picture... but what the big picture is for them.

The third step is inviting people to improve the process. Get them watching for ways to continually do things better. Do some role playing. Have a mock presentation. Have a conference call and invite people in your group to discuss what's holding them back. Susie in Maine could have just the answer that Jeff in Texas is looking for.

If you want to challenge your very best distributors to stay engaged, ask for and reward innovative thinking. Encourage people to use "alien eyes" when they do their prospecting. That means to prospect with an outside perspective and ask, "Why do we do it this way?"

Leading Means Caring

The fourth step is showing you care. The old saying goes, "They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."

If you often find yourself saying, "Why can't they just sponsor more people" or "Why can't they just sell more, they'd make so much money for themselves if they did", look at your own attitude.

Have you been empathetic and caring about what is going on with them?

All of our lives are divided into segments. It is unrealistic to believe people can leave the rest of their lives outside the door when they are prospecting. Taking an interest in people and their lives will earn their caring toward you, as well. People enjoy working with and giving to people they care about. People are loyal to people they care about.

The fifth step is helping people find the right fit. Sometimes we put a round peg in a square hole and wonder why it doesn't work. It's really hard to be successful if you don't have the knowledge, skill, or talent. Does your company have online training? Does your company have business aids that would really help your downline? Did you read a book recently that helped you in your business? Do you have a mentor? Do you have a marketing plan?

Lead them in the right direction. If they are serious about building their business, they will take action. If they aren't serious about building their business, they'll keep doing what they're doing to not grow their business. How much of your time do you want to take up with someone who's not serious? You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.

So, the next time you're pulling your hair out asking "Why can't they just sponsor and sell more?" ask yourself, "Am I doing everything I can do as a leader to help them succeed?" You have to lead by creating an environment where they both want to be and can be successful.

Lana Robinson
Home Business Repair Consultant
205-919-9561
lanadtm@gmail.com
http://www.growmymlmtoday.com/