Extraordinary Leadership

I have been intensely studying what makes people with extraordinary leadership quality and ability tick for much of my life. And through this pursuit to unravel and dissect the art of personal greatness, I have read countless books and listened to countless audiotape programs as well. I have a passion for studying about Extraordinary Leadership. I am truly inspired by boldness, greatness, and honorable, noble character wherever I come across it. I believe we are all inspired by those who demonstrate extraordinary qualities of the human spirit. It is hard not to look up to and admire someone of remarkable caliber, just like it is impossible to stand beneath a 300 foot redwood tree, or next to a towering mountain, or the ocean, and not admire their beauty, strength, presence and power.

Some of the key role models who have undoubtedly influenced my life in a remarkably, positive way and whom I feel have demonstrated, or who currently demonstrate Extraordinary Leadership are: John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, Vince Lombardi, Nelson Mandela, Zig Ziglar, Anthony Robbins and Oprah Winfrey. Through studying these remarkable souls lives, beliefs and teachings, I have come across a lot of similar core traits they all seem to possess and demonstrate. I believe all of these great leaders and all other extraordinary leaders for that matter, possess these core traits and habits, which we can all model and incorporate. I will call them:

11 Traits for Personal Greatness and Extraordinary Leadership


1) Personal Responsibility and Self Discipline

-Taking responsibility for yourself in all areas (mind,body, spirit), being assertive, taking charge for what is in your realm to accomplish and being disciplined in thoughts, actions and beliefs

2) Inner Motivation

-Finding within yourself the will to achieve, to stay positive, the strength and desire to keep improving, to keep challenging yourself to grow and become better day by day

3) A Vision For Life

-Having a vision for where you're going and holding to that vision even when it is stormy outside, or when others may be trying to discourage you, or put out your fire

4) Service Mentality

-Understanding that being service minded is a key value, a strong asset to any team, corporation, or organization and truly giving of yourself and your talents whenever possible

5) Passion and Love for What You are Doing

-Following your bliss, exercising your authentic gifts and passions, radiating joy in your work and your dharma, spreading a little sunshine from your soul

6) Respect and Compassion for others

-Giving recognition and praise where it is due, truly operating for the good of all, understanding the interconnected web of all existence, the value of all life, and coming from a place of love in all you say and do

7) Priority Driven Mentality

-Ability to stay in focus, see the job or task through to completion, taking care of first things first, ability to start and finish tasks begun in a timely manner

8) Commitment to Excellence

-Constantly improving yourself and holding yourself and others around you to a higher standard (more of an attitude than anything), maintaining absolute commitment and dedication to self mastery and life mastery

9) Trustworthiness and Integrity

-Always being dependable, demonstrating predictable behavior, promoting trust to peers, family and friends, and demonstrating true character in EVERY possible situation

10) Action Oriented With an Assertive Will

-Getting the job done, taking responsibility for creating the life you want to create and experience, exercising total self confidence and self belief, and not being afraid to walk your own path, or blaze your own trail

11) Optimistic and Have a Winners Mentality

-Keeping yourself in resourceful states at all times, always finding a way to stand out, excel in any crowd, in any group, ability to stay positive through any situation, and practicing positive mind conditioning

Vince Lombardi once said, "Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile." Leadership is not just about ability, but always taking responsibility, always exceeding others expectations and coming from a true place of service, always looking for ways to give more of yourself. A true leader doesn't glory in making followers out of others, he or she glories in making leaders out of everyone around them. That is the true mark of greatness. Aristotle said, " Excellence is not an act, but a habit." Our habits either make or break our lives. Great habits can and will establish great character. Exemplifying all of the 11 Traits for Personal Greatness and Extraordinary Leadership, you are sure to be well on your way up toward Extraordinary Leadership.


Copyright Justin Topik 2009

You Are Beautiful

I don't know you specifically, individually, whoever you are, but I know one thing-You Are Beautiful. And how do I know this you might ask? The answer is simple, because you are a child of a phenomenal, amazing creator, a creator who doesn't make anything that isn't intrinsically good. You were created by divine light, and you are sustained and maintained by divine light. And along with that, there are gifts and talents inside of you that no one can replicate anywhere in the whole world. You have a unique expression of your talents. You have a sacred calling, or purpose (dharma) that is yours and yours only.

Sometimes though, it seems we live in a world where there is just not a lot of encouragement. Doesn't it seem that others try harder to discourage us, more often than they try and build us up? I know for me personally, my own family has not been so encouraging of my writing and supportive of me following my passions in life. You may feel the same, or maybe you have a great support system? But, no matter who has, or who hasn't supported, or encouraged you in your past, I want you to know that I believe in you and your dreams, your passions, and your greatness, so I want to encourage you. And God/spirit also supports and believes in you. You deserve to be loved and supported for what you have to offer/contribute to this world. And even if you can't see it right now, I know there is something, some force hiding inside of you, right at this very moment just waiting, maybe even screaming at you to unleash it, a force or passion that can ultimately transform your experience of life for good.

I want you to think about 3 people in your life who have been encouraging. If you are lucky, you can hopefully name at least 3. And think just how much these people have influenced, or have helped shape the person you are today. I remember when I lived in Nashville, Tennessee for many years, while I was actively pursuing my writing and songwriting, one day, I was introduced to this highly famous producer/musician named Tom Roady. I asked him to listen to a few of my songs. To my amazement, he said sure. He came over to my house and gave me an hour of his time. I was blown away. He didn't know me from Adam. A few weeks later, he asked me to come to his studio to do some recording. He told me he really believed in my talent and wanted to help me record some of my music. I was beyond moved by his gesture of kindness. He helped me produce some very nice music. His kindness and generosity and his encouragement made me believe I could be successful as a singer/songwriter in the music business. The point is, all he did was give me a little bit of his time, and offered some hope and encouragement to me, and it changed my world.

So, I would like to do that for you right now as well. If you have a dream, you need to pursue it. If you have passions, you need to express them. You are truly beautiful in the eyes of the creator who created you. And he desires only the best for you. He desires you to be full of his glory and to have a rich and abundant life, not just materially, but spiritually as well. Please believe me even if this is hard for you! Spirits are also constantly around you offering encouragement. You just have to learn to listen! I work very hard at having a close connection to spirit. I feel spirits presence strongly encouraging me to be who I am and to do what I am passionate about. In fact, this very website came about because of an idea during a meditation that I felt spirit was whispering in my ear, encouraging me to share a bit of the gold that is within me, to others. You too have a bit of gold within you as well, and You Are Beautiful especially when you are doing your bliss, when you are sharing what it is you have within you to share. Let your beauty manifest itself in the physical world. Be the beautiful creation you were meant to be!

Copyright Justin Topik 2009