Banana trees, struggle as the night, will never, ever produce oranges! E V E R ! Why?!? Because the fruit comes from the root!

Banana roots. Banana fruits. Angry roots. Angry fruits. Dead roots. Dead fruit.

I train people in leadership communication with an intentional focus on storytelling. Most people see this as a “speech coach” or a “branding coach” because their understanding leads them to see STORY only as a mechanism for connecting with others for the purpose of a sale or transaction.

Let me drop a truth bomb in your lap. The single most important story you will ever tell, the story which will lead to your success or demise, the story which will LITERALLY define you is NOT your “elevator pitch” it’s not your “best speech story” it’s not even the public presentation of your “rags to riches” story of personal transformation. No!! Emphatically NO!

The most important story you will ever utter will be the one bouncing around in your mind. The collection of your memories which you choose to recall and the ideas you TELL YOURSELF!

Choosing the RIGHT, TRUE and accurate story is a practice of good mental health which will lead to success.

Trying to become someone else, imitating their successes, telling their story, faking it until you make it, is poor mental health which will lead to your demise.

That’s why I teach, train and insist: The message and the messenger are inseparable. Pineapples will not produce ketchup.

Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash

Copyright 2019 Tell It Like It Is, Inc. All rights reserved.

Insecure leaders have a hard time promoting others for fear they will lose their position of authority or next promotion. Ask me how I know...

Pride is a tragic result of insecurity. Not the good kind of pride which comes from genuine and well deserved confidence, but the bad kind of pride which is often simply over inflated ego.

This kind of pride and arrogance often leads us down a path to self destruct because it is driven by the need for the approval of others. The unspoken hope rests in the desire to be secure in ourselves when others speak well of us. We seek validation from peers, strangers and even subordinates.

Can you see the vicious cycle? An insecure leader cannot promote or even praise a subordinate for fear of loss, but simultaneously they are bound in their own success by the need to be liked and approved of by those they lead.

Ya. Been there. Done that. Glad to be in a place where I can see the signs and crush them when they come up.

Closing the deal... When is the right time to ask without being pushy?

What are the “buying signals” you look for?

How do you know when to ask for the sale?

Tell It Like It Is TV with J Loren Norris providing daily leadership video lessons for faith, family and freedom.

Blog & Online Courses - www.jlorennorris.com

Copyright 2019 Tell It Like It Is, Inc. All rights reserved.

Who is your avatar? Did they self select? What difference does it make toward YOUR success?

I have heard people when starting a business claim, “I just want to help people.” Those people often end up broke and back at a job soon.

I have heard people when starting a business claim, “I just want to do the work I love.” Many of these people will also be back at a job soon doing work for someone else... work which the absolutely loathe.

I have heard people when starting a business claim, “I tried doing ONLY the work I love, I have tried HELPING people and both of them pay the same, NOT WORTH A FLIP!”

Ok. I must confess, I was among the many who said all three of these statements.

Finally there are those who when starting a business say, “I will only pursue potential customers who I already know to have money. I will shape my products, services, pricing and branding to appeal to them and that will make me rich.”

Yet, there is another category of mindset I believe entrepreneurs should consider... WATCH THE VIDEO to learn about “self selecting avatars.”

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-toughest-leadership-question-ever-part-2-tickets-58582377468

Tell It Like It Is TV with J Loren Norris providing daily leadership video lessons for faith, family and freedom.

Blog & Online Courses - www.jlorennorris.com

Copyright 2019 Tell It Like It Is, Inc. All rights reserved.

Many things have changed since I was a fifth grader. Some good, some great some mind boggling. I don’t remember THIS ever happening when I was in 5th grade.

Tell It Like It Is TV with J Loren Norris providing daily leadership video lessons promoting faith, family and freedom.

Blog & Online Courses - www.jlorennorris.com

Copyright 2019 Tell It Like It Is, Inc. All rights reserved.

What’s stopping you? Reasons or excuses? Are you being held back or drawn back? Are you losing momentum or harnessing thrust?

Most people look at their current circumstances as a means of measuring their future chances for success. STOP THAT!!

If you want to move forward toward your goals and dreams you must let go of the past and use today’s troubles as adoring board or stepping stone to reach up.

There will never be another you. Only you can live like you, laugh like you, love like you. You are the best you ever made. Live like it is true because it is!

https://www.jlorennorris.com/live.html

Tell It Like It Is TV with J Loren Norris providing daily leadership video lessons for faith, family and freedom.

Blog & Online Courses - www.learntoroar.com

Video Collections - www.tellitlikeitis.tv

Copyright 2018 Tell It Like It Is, Inc. All rights reserved.

“Be a river, not a reservoir!” JOHN MAXWELL

How does that apply to YOU and YOUR LEADERSHIP?

If you gather, collect, amass, horde you are a reservoir.

If you share, give, donate, pass on, distribute you are a river.

I am not a fan of “re-distribution of wealth” philosophies, as in taking from those who have earned and giving to those who won’t earn, but I am a strong believer that good people are givers where there is a genuine need.

If you have sufficient resources to survive, you have enough to share. This applies to time, talent, treasure and attention. Don’t think writing a check or making a financial donation is the end of your societal obligation.

Watch the video for more...

Tell It Like It Is TV with J Loren Norris providing daily leadership video lessons for faith, family and freedom.

Blog & Online Courses - www.jlorennorris.com

Copyright 2018 Tell It Like It Is, Inc. All rights reserved.

Self esteem, self love, self confidence - what’s the difference and when does it become self destruction?

IF your belief system is based only on what you are capable of doing all on your own, your capabilities are limited.

If your greatest aspiration is a better version of you, even the “best version of you” your opportunity is also limited.

If your confidence, esteem and love for yourself is based solely on an evaluation of you, they will all be limited OR grossly over exaggerated ie. narcissism.

To have a healthy view of self, humans need a reference point. More than comparing to the past, more than hoping for the future, more than wishes and dreams - humans need a model example.

It’s hard for me to present this leadership lesson without my personal faith being a part of it. The reason is simple.

In my opinion, experience and research, the person who best exemplifies a perfected model human was Jesus of Nazareth. He was balanced in his compassion and authority. He loved everyone He encountered. He gave generously of His time and received graciously from others. He knew what authority He must submit to vs which authority to surrender to vs which authority to resist and challenge. He had a healthy view of himself in context to others and to the Creator of the Universe.

Leaders become narcissistic tyrants when they see themselves as the wish to be and must “lower” others to achieve that status. This “self love practice” can be very dangerous for long term growth and will adversely effect those you lead.

Tell It Like It Is TV with J Loren Norris providing daily leadership video lessons promoting faith, family and freedom.

Blog & Online Courses - www.learntoroar.com

Copyright 2019Tell It Like It Is, Inc. All rights reserved.

“The philosophy of the classroom in this generation will be the philosophy of the government in the next.” Who said it and what impact will it have on you if it’s true?

The quote is most commonly attributed to Thomas Jefferson.

The impact it will have on you is significant. Look at New Zealand - in one weeks time their right to bear arms has gone from nonnegotiable to nonexistent.

I recently heard a decorated war veterans words which were chilling to the core. He said something to the effect of, “Unless you have a son or daughter currently serving in combat - America is NOT AT WAR - it’s at the mall.”

Augmented reality is not just a description of video games. Many young people today live in a “world devoid of reality.” They have notions and perspectives handed to them by social elitists which have been intentionally driven by social and political agendas.

https://www.jlorennorris.com/podcast/lead-the-philosophy-of-the-schoolroom

Just watch the video clip of “Ami on the streets” regarding voter ID laws. The replies are degrading, racists, narrow minded and bigoted at best - sadly, they are the IDEAS WHICH SUPPORT ABOLISHING VOTER ID REQUIREMENTS.

Leaders must be aware of the notions of those they lead. Reinforce truth and legacy in daily conversation.

Tell It Like It Is TV with J Loren Norris providing daily leadership video lessons for faith, family and freedom.

Blog & Online Courses - www.jlorennorris.com

Copyright 2019 Tell It Like It Is, Inc. All rights reserved.

Personal responsibility is the only attitude strong enough to counter entitlement.

Yesterday evening I had the chance to be the proverbial “fly on the wall” in a town hall styled meeting for movers and shakers in a particular political cycle within the African American community.

Consistently I heard things like:

“We need teach our young people the power and freedom of entrepreneurship rather than simply going to school to ‘get a job’.”

“We need to teach about consequences of short and long term decisions.”

“We need men to rise up and be real men in their home and their children’s lives.”

“We need smart, business savvy women from our community to take the reigns in politics who will lead with integrity and compassion for the community not just seeking political power, payola and corruption.”

“We need to stop blaming everyone else for the problems and blight in our community and do something about it ourselves.”

“We need to stop training them to ask for handouts on the street corner cause that’s just training them for the various forms of prostitution.”

As one of a very small handful of Caucasians in the room, I can tell you it was a privilege, and honor and a great encouragement to be surrounded by so many passionate, educated, influential and vocal leaders within the black community. It was invigorating to see them act and hear them with strategic plans which have phenomenal power to transform the community we share. I am excited to see all the good as this “Who Really Cares” campaign continues to grow.

Leaders should get involved in movements which bring power, freedom, healing and hope to their communities, regardless who is leading the charge.

Tell It Like It Is TV with J Loren Norris providing daily leadership video lessons for faith, family and freedom.

Blog & Online Courses - www.jlorennorris.com

Copyright 2019 Tell It Like It Is, Inc. All rights reserved.