We studied painting "Ulysses," by Draper ( http://www15.tok2.com/home/dorian/Greek/Sirens/draper.jpg )as an example of Intentionality, an emotional intelligence competency. I ntentionality means doing what needs to be done to accomplish what you set out to do. It's meaning what you say, and saying what you mean, and then taking action steps that will bring intention to fruition.

We focused on sailor at bottom of painting, who's rowing with a Siren right in his face, so to speak. He's a member of crew, a member of team.

To reiterate, this is a painting of adventures of Ulysses. It's his adventure! He's man in charge. When warned of effect of song of Sirens, he put wax in his men's ears, but not in his own. He had himself tied to masthead, and there he is in painting with that crazed look in his eyes.

THE LEADER

Now Siren's Song is a metaphor for "distraction". In this case it's verbal. What's going to stop these men from doing their job (singular, because now we're going to talk about a team on a mission with Ulysses as their leader) is something they will HEAR. So question to ask is - why did Ulysses plug up his men's ears, but leave his own open, while having himself tied to masthead?

I think this painting is a good analogy of workplace. The leader is part of team, but he's also apart from team. Whatever current paradigm is for leadership, one fact remains: leader has authority, and responsibility for whole enterprise.

Whatever leadership style is in fashion, if you've worked on a team project or assignment you know that someone has to be in charge.

A good leader does and is many things, but ultimately definition of position is that he or she is one responsible for making it happen, and to do this, he or she needs as much information about whole picture as possible.

The leader, Ulysses has got to keep BIG picture, WHOLE picture in his head. Different members of team have their own unique missions - in today's world let's say you have marketing person at table, CFO, HR professional and outside Sales Rep. Each of these people has a key piece of information and expertise, but it's only a part of whole, and what they bring to table will be from their point-of-view.

As you know, if you've done committee or team work, this is where clashes occur.

I should really begin this article by explaining my state of mind and state of mind of my husband, prior to joining (COMPANY).

We were like most network marketers. Extremely frustrated. We had tried several network marketing companies with limited success. In about half cases we made a bad decision in choosing company. With other companies, problems within company or particular organization we had joined prompted us to leave company. Nothing seemed to be working! Nothing.

We toyed with idea of getting out of network marketing altogether. We had all disappointments we could stand. We pretty well backed out of industry for several months, although we did roll dice a couple of times on newly launched companies.

Then phone rang. It was an acquaintance from New York I had worked with in a company several years ago. He had just joined (COMPANY) under an organization he felt could give me a great advantage in building a business. He explained that leaders of organization were already top producers and wanted to build a new power leg. He felt I would be perfect for it. I was flattered, but skeptical. My husband, even more-so. But, I set up an appointment for both my husband and I to speak with our acquaintance and one of these leaders on phone for next night.

We listened to what they had to say. When leader got off call, my husband had some pretty strong words for our acquaintance. I quote: "New York is only a 14 hour drive. If you do Brande wrong, I will be there." (I later found out our acquaintance could not understand my husband's strong southern accent. So, he did not know what my husband had told him.)

I faxed in my application that night.

It was a few days before I received my value pack and business kit. In mean time, I was taking care of some other projects to free up my time a little.

It was now about 20th of January. I needed to get busy. My first call was to a very good friend who had worked with me with several companies in past. Sure, she would sign up, but she said she could not until after fifth of following month. I appreciate a sign-up whenever I can get one.. but I was in a hurry to build. So I thanked her, told her that was great, and moved on. I would get back with her after first of month.

I started calling leads I had accumulated over years. My upline was wonderful with three-way calls. They worked with me constantly. I was getting bites, but wasn't landing any fish! All I knew I could do was keep on trying.

My husband has his own business, and did not have time to be of any real help during day. But at night, he was up with me until 3AM most mornings helping put together our web sites, writing promotional materials, and doing whatever he could. But all of this was for future business, I needed sign-ups now!

I dug through my files and found names and telephone numbers of a few people I had worked with, or at least was in same company with, several years ago.

My first call was a success! He said he would sign up, but wanted to wait until end of month. Again, this was wonderful.. but I wanted sign-ups now! I put him on my list to get with after first of month.

I kept making calls and I kept building relationships on-line. I told those I met each day of opportunity I am involved with. I did everything I felt I could do to build a business in a hurry. When I was tired of prospecting, I would do other things to help my business. I set up a toll free number and a 5 minute prospecting message with a local answering service, and I started planning rest of my strategy for off-line building.

Finally, on 22th of month, I had my first actual sign-up! I was dead tired.. not having slept more than three or four hours a night. My husband was tired from working on his end of bargain, and we both were extremely grouchy. But now I was on fire! I decided I wanted to make director by end of month, nine days away!

When I told my husband my goal, he simply rolled his eyes. Don't get me wrong, he has always supported my efforts. But he might of felt my goals were a little lofty. You see, he likes to sleep at night and he hates to sleep alone.

Over next several days I worked extremely hard. I would get what I thought was a great prospect, only to be disappointed that they just would not make a decision. Old teammates were either frustrated at network marketing or were otherwise involved. New introductions to company were slow to make decisions. I was getting frustrated, but not discouraged. So, I kept working.

I made notes of people who were interested, but not yet ready. I scheduled appointments to get back with them. I added their e-mail addresses to my newsletter subscriber list. Essentially, I created a prospect database.

On morning of 29th, I made a list of those who I felt would sign-up and those who I felt I had a chance of getting before first. It was close, REAL close. I started following up with them to make sure they got their paperwork to me. My friend who wanted to wait until 5th decided to go ahead and join that day. But a couple of my other good prospects ran in to problems, and others decided to put off joining until after first of month.

On morning of 30th, I was coming up short! I needed more people and I was feeling a little lost. I had to do something! But all I could do was stick with it. I made calls to new prospects and followed up with old prospects.