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Lessons of Limelight

One thing we can thank all politicians for is their willingness to be served up as lessons when their quest for the spotlight melts them down to dust.  Lesson in point: The tragic demise of New York' s Eliot Spitzer.  

Leaders -- self-proclaimed, anointed, or aspiring -- must play by the same rules of engagement as everyone else in order to stay in the game. 

There are three basic rules here:

First, you can't lead without committed followers.

Second, you can't keep the job without other leaders watching your back. 

Third, to have any  longevity as a leader, you must cherish your relationships more than your results.

The last point is where most mere mortals crash and burn.  Results alone won't protect you from the reality of business cycles.  Relationships, on the other hand, are what you can count on when the inevitable pendulum doesn't swing your way.

In THE ZONE, we call them Strategic Witnesses, people of value who value you and are willing to stand by you when you need them - and you will. 

In the case of Mr. Spitzer, the silence created by not one colleague showing up to remind the world of any worthwhile thing he had done as Governor was deafening. It was also the most telling clue as to the certainty of his demise.

Simply put, your "kingdom" will always be as big as the influence of the people willing to stand with you when the bright lights are angled to make you sweat.   

It doesn't have to be lonely at the top if you:

• Create enduring relationships with Strategic Witnesses at every step along the way: They will stand by you without being asked
  
  
• Share credit for Success: Stealing the spotlight electrifies meltdowns
  
  
• Be Deliberate: Everything you do and say tells others what to expect of you going forward.
  
  
• Watch Your Language: The words you use to describe yourself will come back to haunt you if you don't live by them.

  If you're going to make news, make it good news!

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