The Guardian: You’re In Charge-Take Charge Becoming an Absolute Advantage September 18, 2007

1. The Guardian: You’re In Charge-Take Charge Becomingan Absolute Advantage September 18, 2007 Edith C. Varley

2. Markets, much like people, sometimes need a good squeeze.”….. In orderto get inSHAPE!

3. “Every thing in this world can be copied imitated and commoditized except you.” ECV You Are Unique • How do I leverage this fact? • How do I become an absolute advantage?

4. Continuous Learning Think Globally Act Locally Ask yourself….. Where am I on the curve of value relevance? What can I contribute that will significantly affect business outcomes? World-Class

5. First Step Make A Greater Individual CommitmentCount

6. Make A Greater Individual Commitment Count • Pledge to use your • Gifts/Talents • Strengths • Core Competencies • In order toadd-value and • Live up to the fullness of your Promise.

7. Second Step • Assess • Create • Execute

8. Assess: What SHAPE are you in? • S Strength, Skills, Strategy, Service • H Heart, Head, Hands, Health • AAttitude, Ability, Accountability, Accessibility • PPersonality, Passion, Purpose, Performance • EExperience, Expertise, Energy, Enthusiasm

9. Create a plan • Ask the boss the two most important business outcomes he or she wants to improveand why they are so important to improve • Focus on how you and your staff can contribute to those improvements • Consistently work toward those outcomes • Discuss your progress with the boss (monthly) • Remember you Add-value by growing and sharing • Your knowledge (books, articles) • Your relational networks (people) • Showing your compassion on the Job

10. Execute the plan • Play to your strengths • Deliveron your promises • Serve those you lead • Live with intent and on purpose

11. Third Step Ask for constructive feedback Hold yourself accountable Answer thisquestiondaily “Where am I on the curve of value relevance ?” “What can I contribute that will significantly affect the performance and the results of the people I serve and the business we try to build?”

12. Integrator Leadership Model Awareness Relationships Knowledge/Skills Compassion Where Are You

13. Smart Starts Summary Keep and value your word Put your name on your work Hold yourself accountable (It builds trust) Credibility

14. Smart Starts Summary Communication Listen to all voices Turn “bad guys” into allies Modeling speaks volumes (It instills trust)

15. Smart Starts Summary Smile Improves face value First Impression First Expression (Invitation to trust)

16. The Most Valuable Renewable Resource in the World is the… HUMAN SPIRIT Vital Essence

17. Resource Reading Now, Discover Your Strenghts, Buckingham, Clifton The Essential Drucker, P.F. Drucker Soar With Your Strengths, Clifton, Nelson The Art of Possibility, Zander and Zander Good to Great, Jim Collins Built to Last, Collins/Porras First Break All the Rules, Buckingham/Coffman Getting Past No, William Ury Execution, Bossidy/Charan Where Have All The Leaders Gone? Iaccoca Love Is The Killer APP, T. Sanders Emotional Intelligence, D. Goleman The Art of War, Sun Tzu Nuts, Herb Kelleher Leadership and Self-Deception, The Arbinger Institue Primal Leadership, Boyatzis, McKee, Goleman, Winning, Jack Welch and Suzie Welch Trusted Advisor, D.H. Maister Psycho-Cybernetics and Self-Fulfillment, M. Maltz M.D. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, P.Lencioni The Leadership Challenge, Kouzes, Posner The Wisdom of Listening, Brady The Emotionally Intelligent Manager, Salovey, Caruso

18. The Varley Group, Inc. outcome-based mission is to transform human potential into constructive contribution. The focus is teaching Emotional Intelligence leadership skills, advising executives in order to enhance their personal effectiveness and speaking to inspire individuals to live up to the fullness of their promise. We grow our business by word of mouth referral, letters of value and delivering on our promise. Edith C. Varley 636.225.9211