Colleyville Beauty Consultant Nina Cox is an Independent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay. Nina promotes success through leadership.
My name is Nina Cox and I’m an Independent Sales Director and Beauty Consultant for Mary Kay. I have learned so much while being in Mary Kay; it has really been a great self-improvement course as well as a business. Have you ever wanted success in business or to be a leader in your field? Mary Kay has taught me that there are several basic principles to leadership and if I follow these, success is assured. So first, let’s define leadership and success, and then let’s discuss the twelve principles of leadership that lead to it.
Conrad Hilton, the hotel executive, said: “Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.”
So I believe success can be defined as the achievement of something desired, something planned, or something attempted; the gaining of fame or prosperity; or it can be the measurement of such gain. So you can be successful in business and that is usually measured by money, power or status or all three. You can be successful in a relationship, like a marriage or friendship. You can be successful in reaching a goal, even small goals count. The main thing is to set yourself up for success by having a well thought out plan, and lead yourself and others into the success you desire by action.
Success and leadership come hand in hand. A leader is a person of accomplishment or success. Leadership is about getting things done, walking the walk not just talking the talk. Leaders keep projects on or ahead of schedule, set new visions and timetables for accomplishments and make things happen. A leader is never satisfied with his or her level of leadership because they know anything that grows will require new and different leadership skills. A successful leader emulates other great leaders. They attend workshops, symposiums and conferences on leadership. Mary Kay says: “Education is never out for the pro”. I love to teach leadership to my followers because what you teach, you become.
Now that we’ve defined success and what it means to be a leader, let’s discuss the twelve principles of successful leadership. In my opinion, success is value-based. Staying true to your values will bring you extraordinary success and is the cornerstone of all you are to achieve in the future. Dedication, Inspiration, Respect, Enthusiasm, Character, Tradition, Obligation, Resiliency, Stewardship, Humility, Integrity and Pride are the principles that Mary Kay set forth for the leaders of her company. OK, let’s discuss these value-based principles one at a time and how you follow them.
- Dedication. The definition of dedication is this: it is a solemn appropriation of something or someone or the condition of being Selflessly devoted to something. It may be expressed or implied. Like dedicating a church to God’s work or dedicating yourself to your mission in life. Mary Kay says put God first, family second and career third and with that we are balanced. Dedicating yourself to those priorities at work can be difficult as time goes on. When others, like your boss, begin to impose their values or money becomes involved, dedication to your values may be compromised. Remain dedicated to these values and philosophies in fulfilling your leadership role. Such dedication is the foundation upon which a successful future is assured.
- Inspiration. Inspiration stimulates the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity, it can move the intellect to prompt action or invention, it can guide or influence directly on the mind and soul. Your words and actions make you the inspiration for those around you. Take care what you say or do because someone is always watching. Are you a positive or negative influence on others? Take pride in being the source of other people’s inspiration and help them become role models for others.
- Respect. Respect means to feel or show deferential regard for someone or something; give esteem or give polite expressions of consideration or deference. Respect starts within you and respect for yourself is the fundamental key for enhancing your self-worth. You must have self-worth to be successful. Respect for those around you elevates everyone’s sense of self-worth.
- Enthusiasm. Great excitement for or interest in a subject or cause is recognized as enthusiasm. You must realize that your enthusiasm is infectious. Nurture it and let it grow. Spread it throughout your world and watch as eagerness, activity and passion begin to bloom.
- Character. Character in regards to leadership and success is defined as moral or ethical strength, given as a description of a person’s attributes, traits, or abilities and often becomes a statement as to the competency and dependability of a person, like a recommendation. It can also be used as a public estimation of someone, like his or her reputation. Know that as a role model, you must be unbending in your ethical and moral beliefs. As a leader, your behavior and reputation must be above reproach.
- Tradition. Tradition is so often overlooked in our modern, fast-paced society, but tradition is so important to success and leadership. Tradition passes down elements of our culture to the next generation, time-honored practices that work no matter how modern we become. My favorite is the Golden Rule. It says: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Isn’t this the essence of customer service? Isn’t this also what makes a great marriage? Help others get what they want and you will receive returns many times over. Embrace these unique long-established traditions. Realize your responsibility in passing these beliefs and practices to each new generation.
- Obligation. Obligation is number seven and is defined as a social, legal, or moral requirement, such as a duty, contract, or promise that compels you to either follow or avoid a particular course of action. As a leader, you have business practices that carry out your responsibilities. Be a person of your word. If you say, I will be at a particular place at a particular time, then do it with enthusiasm and preparedness. This sense of duty needs a bond of honor and commitment to these practices.
- Resiliency. Resiliency is the physical property of a material that means it can return to its original shape or position after being twisted, stretched or deformed. A buoyant spirit, a spirit that does not exceed its elastic limit, a resilient nature allows you to bounce back from adversity. I love the picture of the kitten that hangs on to the branch by its paws! That always reminds me of being stretched to the limit, but never giving up. Become a natural leader and understand the benefits of tenacity and determination. Hold onto your ideals, remain clearly focused on the future and learn to “fail” forward to success.
- Stewardship. This is an interesting concept or value. It usually describes one who manages another’s property, finances, or other affairs or one who is in charge of the household affairs of a large estate, club, hotel, or resort. In this case, however is refers to mentoring. You must be a guide and mentor to those around you. If you are to lead yourself and others into success you become a teacher, friend, motivator and shoulder to cry on. You are in charge of yourself and others as a leader, and under your stewardship others will become the very best they can be.
- Humility. Humility is the lack of false pride. It does not mean be a doormat or constantly putting yourself down to make others feel better! Humility is a prominent Christian grace, a state of mind well pleasing to God. It preserves the soul in tranquility and makes us patient under trials. It is a great paradox in Christianity that it makes humility the avenue to glory. Great leaders, regardless of their achievement, remain humble. Learn that hard work and the grace of God have brought you success. Use this success to motivate and inspire others to excellence. A humble person relies on others for council, knowledge, and guidance. It is displaying meekness at all times. Meekness is strength under control. It means not being a dictator. A leader will never take authority for granted or abuse power for selfish gain.
- Integrity. Integrity is the steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code, the state of being unimpaired or having soundness, and the quality or condition of being whole or undivided and having completeness. Honesty comes into play under integrity. Honesty is not just the best policy, it is the only policy. Your soundness of judgment in all matters preserves your integrity. Your unimpaired vision of right and wrong is the building block on which your success is founded. A leader has high moral standards. What is a good measurement to set the standard? Simply put, the Ten Commandments. Do not lie. Do not cheat. Do not steal. Do not be unfaithful. Honor God. Do what is right. A leader knows the value of setting a good example. Everyone makes mistakes and things do not always turn out as promised. But when things fall short, a great leader accepts the responsibility of the mistake and never blames others or makes excuses. Of course, the next step is to correct the mistake regardless of the cost. This honesty builds credibility with yourself and those being led.
- Pride. Pride in this area is a sense of your own proper dignity or value and self-respect. It also is taking pleasure or satisfaction in an achievement or association. I am so proud to be associated with Mary Kay. In 1963, Mary Kay Ash founded a company on the principles of God first, family second and career third. This was unheard of in business at that time and she ran into all sorts of ridicule. Looking back now, I carry this philosophy as a badge of pride.
So in the end what is a successful leader? There are so many books and articles written on leadership and success and many more on great leaders. I agree with John Maxwell who believes that leadership is being a hero and everyone loves a hero. I have several heroes in my life, personal ones are my Grandmother, my mother and Dad, and those I didn’t know personally are Mother Teresa and Mary Kay. Who are the heroes in your life?
Nina’s Nugget: Look at the heroes in your life. Name a few for yourself. And then, who looks up to you as a hero?
My name is Nina Cox, a Colleyville Beauty Consultant and an Independent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay. I have been building my Mary Kay business for over 10 years now and have become quite successful, wining many awards. Please call me at 817-996-6586 or email me at ninacox@marykay.com for questions or assistance.