The FRONT: A Leadership Podcast

I just wanted to share the three things I am thankful for, my three kids: Colin, Carter, and Emersyn. And here are a few notes on what I am most proud of from each of them. https://youtu.be/5ejjUHqJb1A

1. Colin
   • His character, he has a very strong moral compass, at 17 we trust him beyond measure to make good decisions.
   • Integrity and honesty, he is always direct and straightforward.
   • Work ethic, in everything he does, he pours himself into it; from school work to athletics.
2. Shawn Carter
   • Integrity, Carter is legit. If you ask him something you can expect the honest answer.
   • His Intelligence, he works to expand his intelligence daily and is always trying to figure out how things work.
   • Confidence, especially as he heads into his teenage years. He is really coming out of his shell.
   • His desire to improve, in athletics for example, right now he requested to go to the gym and work on his skills five days a week, to get better and advance.
3. Emersyn
   • Her caring. She is such a loving little girl. She just lets her emotions be her guide. She wants everyone to be happy and included.
   • Her work ethic. We see this in school and in her gymnastics. She puts in a lot of effort.
   • Her fortitude. You may think it is silly to describe a little girl with fortitude. But, man, when she locks onto something there is no question figure it out and get what she wants.

So again, Happy Father’s Day to you if you are a dad, or a granddad, or an acting dad! You rock!

If today is just “Sunday” to you, or any other day, if you happen to be catching this later; I hope you make today amazing!

What are some things you are thankful for, or most proud of? I would love for you to share in the comments below, and let’s carry on the conversation!

Have a great day and a Fantastic Father’s Day everyone! Talk to you soon!

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My channel for leadership and motivation is http://www.LeadTheTeam.TV and please check out the shop for great gear at http://www.LeadTheTeam.net/shop

You can connect with Mark on his website at Tewart.com.

Mark is known nationally for his leadership and sales performance both inside and out of the Automotive Industry!

What an amazing interview. Great insight, genuinely caring. Mark Tewart was such a fantastic way to start out the "Live Leadership Lesson Series"

This show is great! It is a MUST watch episode for sure!

https://youtu.be/-woFMKFww74

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"Live Leadership Lessons from The FRONT" are live interviews with people that are known for their performance, work ethic, character, integrity, business skillsets, and of course their leadership skills.

These are the experts to tune in and learn from! We hope you've enjoyed the show! Each podcast is a 15-30 minute live interview.

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AND please SUBSCRIBE and you can tune in to the replay on http://www.LeadTheTeam.TV

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Download This Episode Now! 

My channel for leadership and motivation is http://www.LeadTheTeam.TV and please check out the shop for great gear at http://www.LeadTheTeam.net/shop

I often think about what are our biggest opportunities to learn, and to grow, and to be further forward tomorrow than where we are at today. I think one of the most important traits that allows for efficient growth and human potential is open-mindedness.

https://youtu.be/d75rCK9q4IY

First, let’s define what open-minded is. Open-minded is being willing to consider new ideas. It’s being unprejudiced to how your current state is. AND here is a big one, it is caring enough about yourself to listen to others, even when the advice isn’t something you want to hear.

Here is why I am sharing that. Often, we may ask others for advice but then, fail to accept what it is that they have to offer, especially if it doesn’t coincide with what we think we want. And sometimes, it isn’t that we are asking for advice, but for reinforcement of what we are already doing. Meaning, we want the other party to simply tell us we are doing great – so we can feel reinforced that what we have done up to this point is the right thing or is good enough.

Just keep in mind the people that care about us the most, and care about their integrity, to be honest, are the ones that will be honest. They will tell us the truth – good, bad, or ugly. And sometimes, that opens our eyes, but only if we approach this with an open mind up front.

We must be willing to at least genuinely consider and play through what the potential outcomes are if we do things some way that is not the way we are considering doing them … right now.

For example – if you ask a best friend, or a spouse, “What is it that I do that annoys you?” You better be prepared mentally and emotionally for the answer. Because they know the answer. And probably you know the answer… but you have to be asking the question from a place that truly has you willing to grow… or you will reject whatever answer that is given.

And I’ll give you a tip – it won’t change anyway. It already annoys them now… they just feel that you can’t handle the truth. So we stay cordial and polite.

So if you want to grow… Come from a place of confidence and ask really good questions. You just have to accept when you receive really good answers.  

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My channel for leadership and motivation is http://www.LeadTheTeam.TVand please check out the shop for great gear at http://www.LeadTheTeam.net/shop

Today on the FRONT I am talking about my upcoming series. https://youtu.be/Kq-lUvFY-UM

1. Beginning next week – the Wednesday shows will be live on Facebook and will be interview style shows that run from 15-30 minutes (I am starting this on my personal Facebook Page and will distribute to The FRONT with Mike Phillips Facebook page)
2. Sunday shows will be the traditional episodes of THE FRONT. Some may be live, some pre-recorded content and shared beginning on my YouTube and The FRONT Facebook Page (http://facebook.com/TheFRONTwithMikePhillips)
3. If you are in leadership or know someone in leadership that would be a good fit for the show and to do an interview! Let me know! AND you can sign up on my website at http://www.leadtheteam.net/about/guest-booking-for-the-front/

1. Sales Training – for every industry. People are people. And salespeople’s prospective clients are people.
2. Motivational Content - Motivation is ultimately a need or want. What are people passionate about and gets them fired up. I want to keep things positive and upbeat.
3. Leadership – This is what the Live Leadership Lessons series will focus on. The people that fearlessly get out front and make things happen. They’re the ones cut the path.

1. Because success leaves clues. So the people I want to talk to (mostly automotive based). I hope to have conversations as to how they go to where they are and more importantly, what can you do to follow in their footsteps.
2. Collaboration is powerful. The act of working together with someone. Can create greatness! You have heard the saying… Two heads are better than… ? (You said one.. didn’t you??) So I want to bring in people that have been there and collaborate with them.
3. Impact other people for good, and greatness. I want to have an awesome off-the-cuff library of people that have character, integrity, solid work ethic. The ones that fought fear and have been in FRONT more than once!

Thanks for joining, watching, liking, sharing and SUBSCRIBING!   Download This Episode Now! 

My channel for leadership and motivation is http://www.LeadTheTeam.TV and please check out the shop for great gear at http://www.LeadTheTeam.net/shop

RECORDED ON YOUTUBE LIVE!

I was training with some people this past week and this just came out.

“Love the purpose more than the process.” ~ Mike Phillips

https://youtu.be/-KP95JBiHTo

Purpose is the WHY is something getting done. It’s the reason.

Process is HOW. It’s the actual actions and steps to accomplish a task.

Now at the time, we were talking about navigating through a sales call. What is the purpose of the sales call. Ultimately to serve the customer with enough connection and information that they agree to meet – in this case come in and look at a car.

Then I started thinking – that applies to so many other areas of our life as well. So often we fall in love with the process of doing things. The WHY to get it done, rather than the HOW or WHAT needs to get done.

Let’s look at several scenarios.

Youth Sports – I have three kids in athletics. And as a former youth coach myself so often, I became wrapped up in the steps. But… what about the outcome? The outcome to score, or win, or at least progress and propel the rest of the team forward.

Parenting – This one is tricky. In our minds – before we are parents. We love the thought of this perfect process. What your kids will do, what they will be, how they will handle situations. Then there is reality. This one sets in so heavy that the purpose – your kids growing up to be contributing adults and quality members of society, your kids seeing success, doing it better and having it better than what you had… that single thought, what you want for their purpose, trumps any other ideas you thought you had about how you were going to get there.

Sales – For example, we use a five-step sales process – greet, qualify, present, demo, close. Yes. There are a lot of other processes and options that can be inserted. Again… what is your desired outcome? Sell a car. Or sell your product.

Sales calls – it’s the same, what do you truly want the outcome of the call to be. You want to feel as though it is a success and your customer to feel the same. So regardless of what is said, or what should be said. Care. When you care about the person on the other side and their success (in purchasing a product) – the purpose of the call outweighs the process you are supposed to go through.

When you love the purpose, it helps you to easily love the process.  

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My channel for leadership and motivation is http://www.LeadTheTeam.TV and check out http://www.LeadTheTeam.net/shop/ for great gear!

This is straight up having the will, preparedness, desire, and the want to do something.

When you type the word willingness into Google, It’s just a bunch of definitions. There aren’t a plethora of articles, or blogs, or people talking about what it is to be willing… to do something.

https://youtu.be/-4yS41tzI4I

You’ve heard the saying: ready, willing, and able.

Often people get to the point of readiness. They are ready, for example, to take on a new position or opportunity. They think it has become suitable for them and they can obtain that “thing” whatever it may be.

BUT – if they are ready and never willing, that thing will pass them by. That thing will remain undone, or untapped.

Same thing with ability. When people are able to accomplish something. They have the skillset. They have the power, the proficiency, and the intelligence.

BUT again – if someone is not willing, all of the intelligence in the world is no replacement for taking action. Feeding the fire and passion and desire to DO.

So I take you back a few minutes ago to the beginning of this episode today. Willingness is the connector. It connects ready and able. It pushes us to action.

Willingness to do something – take a chance, on a part in a play, or a job, or love; this is what separates the have’s from the have-nots.

So given the choice, be open, be willing, SAY YES!

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My channel for leadership and motivation is http://www.LeadTheTeam.TV and shop the shop at http://www.LeadTheTeam.net/shop

https://youtu.be/dllhy8VEeWE

These three items are things that can work wonders. I remind my kids of these things regularly. Especially my daughter right now, this has been her mantra. We approach this with youth athletics, with our family, and I figured it would also apply to business!

So here they are:

1. Work Hard. - Having a good work ethic is important. When it comes to putting it all out there on a sports field, or in business, it is important to push yourself to work hard on what is right in front of you at the time. This will help get more done, and it will do wonders for your psyche too!
2. Be Awesome! - This is all about how you talk to yourself. Being confident. Being kind when you speak to yourself. It's how we wire ourselves for internal dialogue. The better you treat yourself in your mind, it will display outwardly in your confidence and performance.
3. Do what needs to be done. - Simple and straightforward. When a coach, a peer, a boss, or anyone asks you to accomplish something. Often our first success is in the attempt. Don't hesitate. Just go after what is being asked of you. Often you will accomplish more than you thought possible anyway!

So that's our mantra! Thank you for tuning in and joining us today!

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Check out http://www.LeadTheTeam.TV for more leadership, motivation, and inspiration!

This one is about sales. Whether you are in front line sales, especially auto sales, business development (or BDC), this one is for you.

https://youtu.be/KFlZcaWWWx8

I appreciate that there are options other than just the phone call – there is text, chat, FB Messenger etc. But, as I have said in prior shows, I still love the art of the live phone call. The reason is that to me that is the tipping point – it’s right before you are going to get the meeting, or set the appointment with the customer. It’s the rush, before the real-life meeting.

So here we go. These things are not process driven per se, but things that I see you must execute on during your call to set an appointment.

1. Voice tone and set the tone. This is so critical to convey emotion over the phone – and so often we are simply not good at this part of the conversation.
2. Works towards the next step. Every single thing you do should be to progress to the next step closer to your appointment. If it isn’t moving you closer to the appointment, it’s moving you closer to ending the call.
3. Sell the positives. Be conscious to sell what you CAN do for the customer, rather than what you can’t do. We are often quick to tell a customer, “NO” because we think it allows us to stay in control of what we are offering. Think to yourself, how can I re-work this to tell them what I can do?

So there it is. Also, this works on texting too, or email. You just tweak it a little to quit the medium. i.e. Carefully choose your words, Work towards the next step, Sell what you can do.

Thank you all for tuning in today! Go have an amazing day and rest of your week! Also, check out the LEAD THE TEAM SHOP and get cool shirts and stuff!

http://www.LeadTheTeam.net/SHOP

Download This Episode Now! 

My channel for leadership and motivation is at http://www.LeadTheTeam.TV 

I was walking out of a convenience store the other day, as a man moving slowly with a cane was approaching – my natural thought was then to step out and hold the door for this older gentlemen. That is when I thought of this episode.

https://youtu.be/nC6gxBkuYVQ

You see, some people hurry through the door.  Others hold the door for the people behind them.  What makes you decide to hold the door for the people behind you?

When we hold the door for others, it makes it easier for them to get through. It makes things flow more quickly, not always for you, but for those coming behind you. And in most cases, you get a, “Thank you.” And if there are more people… there are more thank you’s. So… by doing the right thing for someone else, it also makes you feel good, even if only for a moment.

What other interactions take place. How about not holding the door for the next person, why is that? Maybe we are in a hurry to get to where we are going, and it makes the action less significant, and the person behind us not as important as our current mission.

Similar interactions take place at elevators, escalators, and in parking lots. People have a split second to make a decision to be courteous, and helpful to the success of others – or they can be short and worried about themselves. And in most cases, when someone is worried about themselves, do they get to the destination any faster… NO! But they end up at the destination at the same time as the person they cut off, just to feel frustrated and sometimes embarrassed – because that person that was in the tail… they are standing next to you – staring at you with a smile. 😊

So this philosophy also relates to success, for yourself and others. When you have people coming to the point that you are at in business, or skillset – “hold the door” for them. Sometimes you start a conversation along the journey – and you make a new friend in the process. You see that they are further along in some areas and can return the favor, and hold the door for you.

Leadership is doing the right things at the front, being courteous, kind, caring, and as much as I say you should be in the front with your people – when it’s the right thing to let them go first – you have to have the wisdom to know that.

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My channel for leadership and motivation is http://www.LeadTheTeam.TVand http://www.LeadTheTeam.net

Today I am going to share my top take away from each speaker at the RockStar Auto Conference in that happened this past weekend in Vegas.

These are not in order of importance, and there was certainly an entire LIST that I could share from each person. This would be an 8-hour show in itself – so let’s get started.

https://youtu.be/8Z426fTjG-I

First, Mat Koenig and Chris Speer – amazing. With everything in the details, from the way the room was set up, to keeping on track, adjusting as needed. Perfect. Really the logistics and flow of the conference, was all there!

The speaker lineup – just fantastic. All very relevant people in automotive. Genuine, real, good human beings. Everyone was outstanding at connecting with the audience, well-prepared – and the content, just really second to none, fresh and engaging. I know I got a lot out of the conference, I feel like so many other people really did. My wife who is NOT in the automotive industry was blown away. She LOVED the show, and the fact that everyone was so positive, and more than just sharing statistics or automotive only tactics – most every session included pieces on faith, motivation, inspiration and how to grow as a person and a professional at the same time.

So here we go with my #1’s for each session!

To start – Mat – Be honest, be open, be present! So often we attend conferences or seminars and we are doing other stuff. When you go somewhere to learn – LEARN! And I think everyone did that!

DAY 1

Coach Sherry Winn - Become a, “Yeah AND…” person.

Frank Lopes – When you get that thing in your belly, the fire or passion in your soul – LISTEN TO IT! DO IT!

Mike Phillips (ME) – I said this one at the very end, and it is one of those things that is just right, but it wasn’t part of the presentation. “As a leader, if you are not constantly replacing yourself… you will constantly be replacing your people!”

Timmy James – He was so calculated. "Video" has not come close yet to hit critical mass. You can do so much with the combination of data and video, it is mind-numbing. Video creates trust – so you should be doing that because people buy from people that they trust.

DAY 2

Tony Dee – Social Marketing is a new and untapped frontier, and so is the regulation of that. Be compliant!

Shawn Hays – There is NO, hiding who you are. It will always come out. So be so straightforward and honest that it beats any unknown to the punch. Exposure is exposure.

Dave Benson – Evolution is not optional it’s necessary. At one point websites had to have all kinds of information, now less is more – funnels create more engagement with less clutter.

Glenn Lundy *BONUS* -  Glenn was asked while he was there to share. I got more out of the way he spoke than the words that he said – and the message was POWERFUL! He was heartfelt when you speak and carry yourself from the heart – you need to backup, no slide deck, no prep. You just are.

Mark Tewart – The best way for you to win is to think for yourself.  For example, what if you did the exact opposite of what you are trained to do? Then you are unique and special. Mark is an extremely powerful speaker.

Joe Cala – Thoughts create feelings. Both good and bad. If you want to change thoughts, or crush thought – SPEAK!

Scott Pechstein – I always enjoy hearing Scott speak. What I got the most out of from Scott, the industry is still moving forward. You MUST move with it. A lot of the stats are the same or similar to what they have been, but the timing in the process has changed. (i.e. used to be on the lot, not people want that on the site)

Anthony Alagona – Practice, drill, rehearse and be excellent at what you do. When you worry about the outcome for the client – you will never have to worry about your income.

Mat made this quite profound comment near the end of day two – “You can’t tell who is the better person (human being) by what vehicle they use to pull onto your lot.”

Overall – great conference. If you are in automotive, or really any sales environment and you get the opportunity to attend one in the future. You should go!

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