Secrets of Inspiring Leaders Exposed!

When I was growing up I heard somewhere that there are two ways to live your life: the first is through ‘trial and error’ and the second is through ‘other people’s experience’. At the time I dismissed it as just another one of those sayings that sounds good, but doesn’t make much sense. Then, like most teenagers I finished school with stars in my eyes thinking, ‘This is great! My education is over – no more books, no more lectures, no more people telling me what to do’. How wrong I was. After a few months of bouncing around, not quite sure of what to do next, I stumbled across the idea of personal development and started to hear concepts such as:

• Formal education will earn you a living, but self-education will make you a fortune.

• Work harder on yourself than you do on your job.

• You will be the same person five years from now, except for the people you meet and the books you read.

• Don’t wish that your job were easier, wish that you were better.

• You are your own greatest asset, so you must invest in yourself.

Since November 2000, I have been totally committed to becoming my own most valuable asset. After attending hundreds of seminars, listening to thousands of hours of CDs and reading shelves of books, I have discovered that the people who truly succeed aren’t any smarter, better looking or harder working than anyone else – they just think differently and have learnt to incorporate different values into their lives.

I am now in the very fortunate position of being able to travel internationally to present personal development seminars to teenagers and I am often asked, ‘What is the one thing you need to know to be successful?’ My answer is always the same: ‘The one thing that you need to know is that there is not one thing that you need to know to be successful’. I’ve learnt that success is multifaceted and that mastering one principle of success or area of your life isn’t going to take you to the top – the more you master, the more successful you will become. But if I did have to identify one of the most important success strategies, it would be this: ‘Find out what successful people do and do the same thing until you get the same results’.

That’s what this book is all about. The only difference is, instead of you going out and finding successful people, we’ve brought them to you.

You see, whatever you want in life, whatever you are shooting for, chances are that someone else is already living it. They have already invested years of their life and probably hundreds of thousands of dollars, they’ve made lots of mistakes, learnt from them and eventually succeeded. So why would you want to waste your own time, money and effort through ‘trial and error’ when you can fast-track your success by learning from ‘someone else’s experience’? As Sir Isaac Newton said, ‘If I have seen further it is because I have been standing on the shoulders of giants’.

Every time you pick up a book, attend a seminar or interview a successful person, you are compressing years of life experience into a few hours. With any of the ‘Secrets Exposed’ books, you can multiply that by between twelve and seventeen people and you’re looking at around 250+ years of experience and wisdom ready and waiting for you. It won’t prevent you from making mistakes of your own, far from it, but it will help you to make more calculated and purposeful decisions, rather than big, misguided and ignorant ones.

There is no shortage of information about how to achieve proficiency or even greatness in any area of life these days. Go to any bookstore or library and you’ll find the shelves sagging with titles from experts, all with their own theories and ways of doing things. But what I have discovered is lacking in almost all of these books is INSPIRATION. What’s missing is role models and mentors – the stories of people we can all look up to. People who started out exactly like you – with a dream in their hearts and with all the same fears and insecurities. Given the choice between reading a textbook or a dozen success stories about people who have actually done something, I’d take the success stories any day of the week. I’m not saying that theoretical information isn’t important, of course it is, but having presented hundreds of talks to all different types of audiences, I can confidently say that it’s always the stories that move people. It’s the whole, If he or she did it, then so can I that gets inside people’s hearts. When we’re inspired we get motivated and then we take positive action which leads to results.

The ‘Secrets Exposed’ books are not intended to be a one-stop-shop. They are an introduction to the wealth of knowledge available to you and to some of the real success stories of people who have reached the top in their chosen field of endeavour. That’s why at the back of each book you will find most of the contributors’ contact details and some of their other products and services that are available to help you continue your journey.

So, how did the whole idea for the ‘Secrets Exposed’ books come about?

Well, in 1998, when I was around seventeen, my nan gave me a copy of a book titled Collective Wisdom, by Brett Kelly. In it were transcripts of face-to-face interviews with a whole lot of prominent Australian personalities. And it was a fantastic read. Since then I have seen a handful of random ‘success story’ books, but the challenge I find with most of them is that they are either transcripts of interviews, that never really make complete sense in the printed form, or they are written by writers who paraphrase someone else’s story. The result tends to be a diluted message that doesn’t really allow you to get a sense of the individual’s personality or character.

In around 2001 I read my first Chicken Soup for the Soul book and realised that there were dozens and dozens of related titles designed to meet the needs of different people’s areas of interest. I thought that was pretty neat.

It wasn’t until January 2004 that the ‘Secrets Exposed’ idea boiled over. I was in my hotel room in Singapore relaxing after six straight days of presenting to hundreds of teenagers. I was reflecting on the ideas that had been shared with them. One of the most important was to seek out those who have already achieved what you want and ask them lots of questions. I was plagued by the thought that only a small percentage would act on that very valuable advice and that most would never take the step due to a lack of confidence, fear of rejection or an inability to contact the people they needed.

That’s when it hit me...‘What if I could find the people and put together a number of books covering a range of different areas?’ I knew it would take a lot of effort, so for the next three days, I sat in my hotel room and developed the basis of an entire system to make it happen.

Based on my experience with other books, I decided that these books had to be non-time specific and be written (not spoken) by the people themselves. This way the answers would be planned and well thought-out, providing richer content and more interesting reading. I also wanted to make sure that there was an even balance between practical ‘how to’ information and inspirational stories that gave an insight into the highs and lows of people’s real journeys. I also wanted to ensure that a percentage of every book sold was donated to a charity relating to the nature of that particular book.

When I arrived home I got into action. However, between working out of a tiny one-bedroom flat and trying to manage two other demanding businesses, my plans were a little slow in the beginning and I had to be resourceful. So I bought a plastic tub and turned the boot of my car into a mobile office! Anytime I could find a spare hour or two, I’d park myself at the gym or a nearby coffee shop and make calls from my mobile phone.

Putting these books together has been both time-consuming and demanding, but it has also been a real privilege for me to have the opportunity to work with each of the people involved in the various books. Thank you, to each of you, for making it possible!

Well, I think you’ve heard enough from me. Now it’s time for you to discover for yourself the wonderful wisdom contained in these pages. I hope that you enjoy the read as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it together. And who knows, maybe one day we will be reading your story?

Dream Big!

Dale Beaumont

Creator of the ‘Secrets Exposed’ Series

Sydney, Australia

Download Your Free Audio Gift

Exclusive to readers of the ‘Secrets Exposed’ series...

In this 1 hour 43 minute recorded interview, author Dale Beaumont intimately shares the inner workings of the ‘Secrets Exposed’ series. Discover in greater details how he came up with the idea, how he managed to secure personal interviews with over 200 of the countries most successful people and what he believes are some of the most important business and life principles from each of the books in the series.

Simply visit the web page below and follow the directions to listen to or download the entire interview direct to your Notebook or PC.

www.SecretsExposed.com.au

Foreword

At last count, estimates say there are now 6.5 billion people on the planet. This mass of humanity is facing an unprecedented change. The world has always gone through change, however, this current change is happening faster and with greater impact on how we live and work than ever before.

The change can be seen in discussions on global warming and best-selling books on ‘blinking instead of thinking’. The Dalai Lama now runs events that look, feel and operate like a motivational speaker’s rally. The world has changed.

Leadership is one of the few keys to making our new reality one where we experience peace, hope and prosperity, and where fear and confusion fade away.

The role of leaders has changed in parallel with this massive global shift. Consultative leadership styles are replacing authoritarian ones. Workplaces are installing cafés and more and more people are blending work and life. Young workers are demanding flexible hours, greater pay and a sense of amazing fulfilment. And so they should.

This fabulous book is a must-read for everyone who wants to contribute positively to the transformational planetary change that anyone with an awareness can feel is happening.

In my capacity as a personal leadership expert, I see the need for everyone on the planet to take responsibility for leadership – not just those who run companies, organisations or countries. This book is for everyone!

As CEO of Thought Leaders, a talent management company, I read this book and find daily inspiration through the stories and perspectives of the authors. Read the Secrets of Inspiring Leaders and expose yourself to the secret leader who resides in each of us. This, above all things will stop wars, make money and create happiness and fulfilment for all. You are the leader of your life.

Matt Church

CEO Thought Leaders

www.thoughtleaders.com.au

Best-selling author High Life 24/7

www.mattchurch.com.au

Introduction

Of all the titles in the ‘Secrets Exposed!’ series, perhaps none is tougher to define and categorise, yet at the same time what could be more important to your future success than leadership?

Just as surely as the tides rise and fall by the gravitational pull of the moon, everything in life rises and falls on leadership.

But what is leadership? How is it defined? Why is it so important? Is it learnt or gifted at birth? What are its characteristics? Can they be duplicated? And perhaps most importantly, how can a person grow and expand their leadership ability?

The answers to these questions and many others, are the basis of this book.

A great leader was once asked, ‘What is the one thing you need to know to be a leader?’

His answer, ‘The one thing you need to know to be a leader is... there is not just one thing you need to know!’

Leadership is multifaceted and there are many different factors that combine to make a person a successful leader. In other words, mastering just one skill or attribute won’t make you a leader, but like the power of multiplication, the more you master the greater your effectiveness will be.

Of course it will take some time, a little study and most certainly practical application for these skills to integrate and mature. But the rewards to your personal and professional life will be immeasurable.

At a micro level, a person’s family is a great place to start. Leadership qualities and principles practised within your family will be reflected in greater understanding, values and trust. But most importantly, it will instil belief in people to live at their best.

Expanding things further, we enter into the realm of communities, corporations and even countries. Despite the fact that many people think a single person never accomplishes true and lasting impact, think about it and look at the examples you see.

Making a major difference requires money, resources, workers, advocates and lots of encouragement – things that typically don’t just happen or appear on their own. It requires a leader (or many leaders) and many people that see potential in others and inspire them to play their part.

So if you have ambitions to succeed in business or on the sporting field, or if you feel strongly about a community, political or social issue and want to make a real difference, this book is for you.

In Secrets of Inspiring Leaders Exposed! we’ve assembled an amazing group of 13 successful people, all leaders in their respective fields, who are eager to share their experiences and pass on what they’ve learnt. These contributors provide ‘how-to’ advice and loads of inspiration as they reveal insights into their professional and personal journeys.

To further assist you in your own endeavours, a number of contributors have also very generously offered valuable gifts to all of our readers. To receive them, all you need to do is visit the website address provided and follow the steps to download the bonus gifts – absolutely free.

At the back of the book we have included the contact websites of every contributor. You’ll discover that many have their own books or educational materials, which we strongly endorse and encourage you to investigate further.

Finally, remember it’s what you do after you read this book that is going to determine its real value to you. So, go out there, apply what you’ve learnt and when you reach a goal – no matter how big or small – let us know so we can share your success story.

Enjoy!

Dale Beaumont and Stuart Zadel

Email: info@SecretsExposed.com.au

Time To Listen

Avril Henry

I strongly believe in the concept of the ‘Power of One’ and that any one individual can make a difference in life and in the world – it’s a choice you make!

Profile

Avril Henry

Avril Henry was born in Kimberley, South Africa. She grew up in this predominantly Afrikaans mining town with strict parents and in a community that believed apartheid was an acceptable way of life.

At 17, Avril won a university scholarship and moved to Cape Town where she completed a degree in accounting and economics. She began her career in the financial services industry and quickly discovered that apartheid dictated where you could live and whom you could be friends with. In 1980, she decided to immigrate to Australia to start a life that would give her a freedom she would never know in South Africa.

Over the next 20 years, Avril worked in finance, IT, change management and human resources roles in major Australian, European and American companies, discovering a passion for diversity, people and performance strategies, and developing leadership capability. She began her own company in 2003 focusing on these key areas. In 2006, she completed a ministerial review – the Henry Report – for the Minister of Defence into recruitment and retention practices in the armed forces.

In 2006, Avril won the prestigious Lifetime Achievement in Human Resources Award at the Australian HR Awards. She has been a finalist in the Best HR Director and Sydney Business Review Businesswoman of the Year awards, and nominated for Telstra Business Woman of the Year on four occasions.

A respected and sought-after speaker and author, Avril has featured in dozens of newspaper and business magazine articles. She lives in Sydney, and when she isn’t speaking and writing, you will find her training for the 2007 New York Marathon, mentoring Generation Y entrepreneurs, or spending time with her children, friends and beloved dogs, enjoying fine food and good champagne.

What is your definition of leadership?

Leadership is about creating an environment where people can be the best they can be by removing the obstacles that stand in their way and leading by example. This means that you should never ask anyone who works for you to do something you have not already done or are not willing to do yourself. It also requires that you coach and develop people so they can succeed. As a leader, this requires accepting that you don’t know all the answers and that leadership is a journey of ongoing self-discovery and self-development – it is not a destination!

What made you decide to move from South Africa to Australia?

I grew up in South Africa during the apartheid era. From a young age I questioned whether apartheid was right or not, I recall thinking about this for the first time when I was 11 years old. Within educational and religious institutions we were taught that apartheid was based on Christian principles and was about ‘looking after the blacks as they were incapable of taking care of themselves’. Apartheid also utilised a number of bible texts, taken completely out of context, to justify its existence as an appropriate political system. For example, ‘...be ye not unequally yoked...’ I questioned my Sabbath School teacher about this, who was horrified by my suggestion that apartheid might be wrong. It seemed to me that we were all human beings, just different colours! After that incident my teacher promptly spoke to my mother about my questions and attitude, and warned my mother that, ‘This girl is going to be trouble!’

When I went to the University of Cape Town and studied labour economics as one of my electives, I discovered that my suspicions were correct. I learnt about the Job Reservation Act, which protected employment for whites at the expense of blacks, regardless of qualifications and skills; the Group Areas Act, which gave preferential treatment to whites in terms of residential geographic locations; and the Immorality Act, which forbade relationships and marriages across the ‘colour bar’. At university I watched with horror as lecturers, fellow students and friends were detained without trial for their political views. Some returned defiant and determined to continue the fight against apartheid; others were never seen again. We knew they would never return. During our mid-year exams in my final year, the security police tear-gassed our campus to teach us a lesson for protesting against apartheid.

I thought about it long and hard and knew that there were only a few options available to me.

After leaving university I formed many close friendships at work with coloured and Indian colleagues. As a result I was counselled for ‘inappropriate behaviour’ by my boss, who also pointed out that, as one of their most promising graduates, I was damaging my future career prospects. I was told by some of my white colleagues, especially the Afrikaans, that I was a disgrace and an embarrassment to other white people. This situation worsened when I became romantically involved with a coloured man. I was reported to the security police and for the next two years I was regularly harassed and followed by them.

I thought about it long and hard and knew that there were only a few options available to me. I could support the current political regime – put up and shut up – and conform as most people did, I could protest and risk being detained without trial as had happened to others, or I could leave the country and forge a new life with my then-secret fiancé. I decided I would do the latter and determined that in my life and my work I would seek to ensure equality and fairness for myself and others. I arrived in Australia with $500, two suitcases and the dream of living freely and making a difference. Certain family members never forgave me for my political views and chose not to speak to me again, including my paternal grandmother, who believed I had disgraced my family.

I have never for one minute regretted my decision to emigrate to Australia, my ‘spiritual home’, which has afforded me the opportunity to be myself, pursue my dream of living freely and having multiple opportunities to make a difference through my work.

Can you tell us about your early career and the lessons you learnt along the way?

My early career was in the finance industry, working as an accountant in structured finance and then in investment banking. I was young, female, blonde and very enthusiastic. I believed I would be judged on my performance and merit, and was hugely disappointed and surprised when I discovered this was not the case. My first experience with discrimination at work was when two male colleagues were paid more than I was (and one was given a company car), despite the fact that I was already a qualified accountant and they had not yet finished their accounting studies. I was told it was because one of them was married and therefore needed to be paid more! I told my boss that if I didn’t get a pay increase to the same level as my male peers and a company car, then I would resign! I got the salary increase and the company car. From this experience I learnt two things:

1. If you want something badly enough, then ask for it (but make sure you have a sound business case) – I presented a written business case to my boss requesting a salary increase and a company car after I researched what other accountants were being paid in similar industries, coupled with the inside information supplied by my peers.

2. You need to take calculated risks regularly – it was a risk to tell my boss that I was willing to resign, however I was prepared to take that risk and follow through on my ultimatum if I needed to. Taking risks can lead to failure, but it is how you deal with failure that is important. If you see it as a learning opportunity then you will grow and develop as a person. I believe the only difference between successful people and less successful people is that successful people have failed more often, but managed to transform the experience into a lesson. I love the quote by Honda, after failing 167 times before producing the first Honda motorcycle prototype – ‘Success is 99 per cent failure!’

I have also learnt many other lessons throughout my career:

It is important to have mentors throughout your career – find people who you can trust and who you can ask for advice and guidance when the going gets tough. Mentors are more likely to be honest with you and give you constructive feedback. I have often discussed major career decisions with my mentors before making a change.

Seek opportunities to continually build your skill-set and competencies – if you can do this you will be more employable and valuable as an employee, manager and leader. The more diverse your experience and skill-set is, the more innovative you will be when