Part of the series Accessing the Most Powerful Version of You

Are you burnt out and exhausted from trying to "have it all?"

Over the past decade, there has been a great deal of discussion and debate over the question, Can women have it all? Ive read hundreds of responses to this question, and Ive also explored it with my coaching clients and course members, and in the media. I remember being riveted by Anne Marie Slaughters 2012 article in The Atlantic on Why Women Still Cant Have It All that went hugely viral. I loved her take and for thousands of women, it offered messages that were welcomed and refreshingly honest. Slaughter later shared that her article shifted her life in ways she never expected.

After my 18 years in corporate life and not coming close to having it all, and then shifting to running my own coaching and training firm, I honed my take on this question, which is this: Pursuing having it all tends to end up in the wrong direction of what we truly want because weve defined it in a way that is unobtainable and unsustainable. Our perfectionistic overfunctioning often gets in the way of creating what we really want.

What we need to do instead is focus on what matters most, and thats not everything in the world. Instead, we want to grow our self-authority and empowerment to make the right choices that will allow us to prioritize what is meaningful and fulfilling, to attend to what will bring our lives and careers the greatest joy, satisfaction, fulfillment, meaning, and success. We want to pursue these priorities openly and honestly, and live in an authentic way where we can be true to ourselves, without shame, guilt or fear. And we want to be able to get to the end of our lives without the deep regret and remorse that comes from living someone elses life, not our own. (Heres more about the top 5 regrets of the dying and how to live without regret.)

To explore this question anew, I was excited to catch up with Romi Neustadt, a former corporate lawyer then PR executive who traded in the billable hour to become a successful entrepreneur. Shes passionate about helping other women experience success on their own terms, and her first book, Get Over Your Damn Self: The No-BS Blueprint to Building a Life-Changing Business, earned a Gold Award from the Nonfiction Authors Association. Her latest book, You Can Have It All, Just Not at the Same Damn Time, shares Neustadts insights and strategies around how to stop trying to do it all so you can finally build a life filled with what you really want.

Heres what Neustadt shares:

Kathy Caprino: You say that women arent achieving their dreams because they confusehaving it allwithdoing it all. What do you mean by that?

Romi Neustadt: Women are suffering from unrealistic expectationswho were supposed to be, how much were supposed to accomplish and how were supposed to look while were doing it. Were trying to be all things to all people, and our to-do lists keep growing as we add things that we think we should do. This should-ing all over the place is making us stressed and exhausted and feeling like a failure, so were not getting to the things we really want to do. But the great news is theres a fix. If we want to have it all, we have to stop doing it all.

Caprino: You stopped doing it all and say that you now have a life filled with all you want and coach other women to do the same. What approach to success have you engaged in that eludes many other women?

Neustadt: It took me having a minor breakdown to admit that my life was running me (instead of the other way around), and I needed to fix it so I could actually fill my life with what was really important to me and enjoy my precious time on earth. So I gave myself the gift of a couple days of me time in a hotel room, and it turned out to be a life-changing gift. Armed with some books, my laptop and a journal, I started searching. I stumbled upon the concept of picking one wordthis was long before it was popularand I loved the idea of adopting a mantra to guide me through the upcoming year. And while it was an empowering starting point, I realized declaring a word wouldnt be enough by itself to have a transformative impact on my life.

I kept reading and searching, and then it dawned on me. Throughout my entire goal-oriented life, I never once figured out what my priorities were. I thought all the goals Id been setting all these years were priorities. It was in that hotel room that I established my One Word Process that I take myself through every year, along with my sales organization and readers of my blog. Its been life-changing because it forces you to figure out what you really want your life to look likeand what youre willing to do to make it happen.

Caprino: So how does your process work exactly and why do you find it so effective?

Neustadt: First, you establish three priorities that serve your one wordthe things that are important and non-negotiable in your life right now. I dont think its possible to have more than three at any one time. And then you set goals that serve your prioritiesnot ones that you think you should be going after, but what you want to accomplish. And our goals must align with our priorities or we feel scattered and unfulfilled, and thats because were living inauthentic lives. This process offers a road map of where to focus your time, attention, and energy. And it gives you permission to let go of everything else.

This enabled me to start to build a life filled with my all.

Caprino: So once women determine what they want, how can they find or create more time for those things?

Neustadt: I suggest doing what I call relentlessly editing your life. You make a list of everything you do in a week and how long you spend doing it. And then you label each activity.

Its in the list of things marked H and S that you find what you should be delegating or deletingwhich frees up your time and energy to focus on the things that serve your priorities and goals. I personally revisit this invaluable exercise once a quarter or any time that I start to feel overwhelmed or scattered. I go back to my priorities and goals and make sure every single thing Im doing serves them.

Caprino: In my work with professional women, Ive seen that one of the hardest parts of staying focused for women can be setting boundaries. How can they do that more effectively

Neustadt: Women need to get really good at saying No, and saying it often in an authentic and gracious way. No keeps you from committing to things you really dont want to do.

Here are a couple of examples.

Its doable, and you get to say it without apology and without guilt.And the more you say it, the easier it gets.

Caprino: You speak and coach a great deal around authenticity. What does authenticity mean to you and how do you make living an authentic life non-negotiable?

Neustadt: To me, authenticity is showing up as the real you in all parts of your life, every single day. Not the you that you think youre supposed to be or who others expect you to be. When you do that, youre able to be honest with yourself about what you really want, what your all is. Every woman has their own allyours likely looks different from mine. The point is to figure out what you want and then make it happen. And if each of us were living our truth, there would be a lot less judging each other and playing the comparison game, and a lot more supporting and inspiring each other.

Caprino: You say that fear is the core reason women arent living the lives they really want. Among the women youve met, what are their most common fears and how can they overcome them?

Neustadt: Ive mentored tens of thousands of women, and like me, they have a lot of fears. Were afraid of failure, afraid of success, afraid to be judged, afraid were not enough, and afraid were going to live our lives and not get to the things we really want. And all these fears can paralyze us and annihilate our focus. I coach three steps to deal with fear that I use myself nearly every day.

The three steps are:

#1: Acknowledge when fear is rearing its ugly head and name it. Youve got to confront fear to move past it.

#2: Ask yourself, whats the worst that could really happen? Not a hypothetical, but what are the facts that you know to be true? Most of the time, the reality is much less dire than we imagine it to be.

#3: Finally, adopt a mantra to tell yourself to declare that youre not going to let fear win, that youre going to act in spite of it. Try F-FEAR. For you the F might mean Fight. For me it means something saltier. This is more than a clever hashtag to use on Instagram. Its a battle cry that says you have the power.

This can be a powerful tool for our kids too. Ive walked our kids through this process to deal with the various fears they face in their tween and teenage lives. I especially love it when they declare F-FEAR to do what scares them.

I want women to understand that it is possible to have it all, if they give themselves the permission to define what their unique all looks like and to unapologetically let go of everything else. Its the only way to live a fulfilled and authentic life, which is what we all deserve.

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Yes, You Can Have It AllBut Not If You Define 'All' Incorrectly - Forbes

And as we head into the 2020 Guinness Six Nations, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on those players who have had the biggest impact on the last two decades.

In the build-up to the opening Saturday and Grand Slam champions Wales clash with Italy, we are counting down some of the best players to have graced the Championship.

Today we take a look at the wingers who have left their mark on the competition. With their fast feet on the flanks and tendency for game-changing magic, here are some of the wonderful wide men to grace the Championship stage.

Shane Williams (Wales)

We couldnt start anywhere else could we?

There cant be too many sights as synonymous with the Championship as Shane Williams darting down the touchline and crossing the line with a roaring Welsh crowd as a backdrop.

In fact, the former Ospreys man leads the way in try-scoring from the wing, with 22 scores in his 41 appearances in the competition, including a six-try haul in the 2008 Championship as Wales secured a tenth Grand Slam.

It was one to remember on a personal note for Williams as well, after being named Player of the Championship, with a slaloming run through the Italian defence to score one of the highlights of the tournament.

Since making his Championship bow in 2000 to his last appearance in 2011, Williams was a constant menace for the opposition, from Rome to Edinburgh and Twickenham to Paris, the Swansea-born wing could always be relied on to provide some magic.

Ben Cohen (England)

When it came to scoring in the Championship, Ben Cohen wasted no time in getting started.

The Northampton Saint came flying out the blocks on his England debut as a sprightly 21-year-old against Ireland in 2000, grabbing himself a pair of tries in the process, and there was no looking back after that.

Cohens contributions were pivotal in an era of dominance for the English side in the competition.

In his 29 matches he only tasted defeat eight times, as the Red Rose emerged victorious in three out of the four Championships to start the millennium, winning the Grand Slam in 2003.

And even in the one year they didnt claim the title in 2002, Cohen still left his mark on the competition. The winger was on hand to finish off an extraordinary English move that saw them go the length of the pitch in 30 seconds, as they powered past Ireland 45-11 at Twickenham.

Tommy Bowe (Ireland)

If you were to search for the best Guinness Six Nations tries there is little doubt that Tommy Bowe will make the list, probably more than once.

The Irish winger was known for being able to produce magical moments throughout his glittering career, and he seemed to save his best for the Championship.

2009 is a prime example, where his collection of Ronan OGaras chip against Wales saw him finish with aplomb, using his speed to devastating effect.

In 2012 he went one better against France; picking the ball up in his own half, the former Ospreys and Ulster man dinked a kick over the defender himself, before collecting and touching down.

These are just two examples of the quality Bowe possessed, he managed to cross 14 times in total in his Championship career, helping his country to lift the trophy twice in that time including a first Grand Slam in 61 years in 2009.

Vincent Clerc (France)

You could say Vincent Clerc was the man who won the 2007 Championship.

With the clock ticking down in the first match at Croke Park, it looked like a Ronan OGara kicking masterclass was going to edge Ireland to victory over France as they led by four points with 60 seconds remaining, but then the ball found its way to the winger on the Irish 22.

Utilising the poise and grace that became such a trademark of his game, the former Toulouse man danced past two defenders to touch down and give the visitors the victory in the most dramatic circumstances.

That proved to be crucial in the final standings, as the French topped the table by on points difference after five matches to secure back-to-back triumphs.

The Frenchman would go on to touch down 11 times in 31 Championship appearances, including a hat-trick against Ireland a year later in Paris. The winger, who also scored two tries against Ireland in the 2007 World Cup, saved his best performances for the men in green.

With four titles under his belt, including a fleeting appearance in Frances 2010 Grand Slam, Clerc remains one of the most successful Frenchman of the Six Nations era.

Sean Lamont (Scotland)

The 21st century not always been a successful era for Scottish rugby in this competition, but thanks to Sean Lamont, they certainly had a campaign to remember in 2006.

France entered the competition that year hoping for a Grand Slam, but were put firmly back in their place by the former Glasgow Warriors double as the two sides met on the opening weekend. A drop of the shoulder left the visitors defence for dead for his first, before touching down at the back of a remarkable rolling maul to secure a 20-16 victory.

Successes over England and Italy followed, as Scotland eventually finished third that year, but that France win is one that will live long in the memory for Scottish rugby fans.

In terms of outright longevity, no other wing comes close to the Perth man either. His 105 total appearances, with 45 of those coming in the Championship, is testament to the high standards he maintained throughout his career.

Kaine Robertson (Italy)

Italy entered the Championship in 2000, marking their arrival with a win over Scotland in their opening match. However they had to wait until 2007 for their first away victory.

The 2007 campaign marked the first time they had managed more than one win a single Championship, and Kaine Robertson was crucial to their success, scoring in both of those wins.

His part in the first away win was crucial as he ran in an interception from halfway in a 37-17 triumph over Scotland at Murrayfield.

The second was a quality piece of quick-thinking in a 23-20 victory against Wales, as he kicked downfield with no-one at home, before scampering to the loose ball and touching down.

While Italy were not always a major attacking force during Robertsons time on the international stage, the winger was clinical when chances came his way.

George North (Wales)

Its hard to believe George North is still only 27. The Welsh wizard on the wing seems to have been tormenting defences for a lifetime, and could surpass Williams try-scoring record in the not too distant future.

Wales domination of the Championship near the start of the last decade was very much underpinned by some dazzling performances by the thrice-capped British and Irish Lion.

A last-minute score against Ireland in the 2012 opener gave Wales a crucial 23-21 win in Dublin, which paved the way for eventual Grand Slam success.

As the years have passed, North continues to deliver on the highest stage with 11 tries in 17 appearances since 2016, including a crucial double in last years opener against France, arguably his favourite opponent.

The late, crucial tries seem to be something North specialises in, and we could be treated to more brilliance this time around, with Wales starting their campaign at home to Italy in two weeks time.

Keith Earls (Ireland)

We all know what were going to get when Keith Earls steps on to the pitch, but stopping him from dazzling his way to the try-line is another matter.

The hot-stepping, hard-running wing has bamboozled all-comers, with his powerful surges from the flanks often proving too much for his opponents.

Three tries in last years Championship prove that fact, with the 32-year-old chiming in with performances just as influential as when he made his bow in the competition nine years ago.

The Munster man isnt afraid to do the dirty work for his country either, with his strong tackling and defensive capabilities part of the reason why he started his career in the midfield.

After being included in Andy Farrells 35-man squad for the upcoming campaign, the Aviva Stadium is just waiting for Earls to illuminate it once again.

Jonny May (England)

It took 12 Championship matches for Jonny May to get off the mark for England, but once he got his first he could not stop scoring.

The Leicester Tiger had endured three scoreless campaigns before 2018, but two tries in a 12-6 victory over Wales was a sliding doors moment for the winger, as he began to produce the sort of rugby we have come to expect from the 29-year-old these days.

Two more scores followed in 2018, before a six-try haul in 2019 cemented his status as one of the best around in his position.

The speed of the former Gloucester man is something that is feared throughout the rugby world, and he will be looking to extend that record this time around.

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Great wingers of the Six Nations era - Six Nations Rugby

Six of the world's best golfers on Tuesday predicted how the game of golf could change dramatically over the next ten years including an increase in the speed of play, as the European Tour season kicks into gear at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA.

Long established as the jewel in the crown of Middle Eastern golf, the tournament combines a world-class field with a track record for golfing innovation, according to a press release.

In the past the tournament has innovated with players seen wear shorts during their practice rounds, testing new motorised 'Golf Boards' to reduce slow play and having music on the range.

At the start of a new decade, with the eyes of the golfing world on how the sport might change over the next ten years, long-time title partner HSBC continued its commitment to exploring innovations that support the growth of golf by bringing together six world-class players to share their ideas about where the sport could and should go over the next decade.

HSBC took world No.1 Brooks Koepka, defending champion Shane Lowry, two-time Abu Dhabi winner Tommy Fleetwood, 2017 Masters winner Sergio Garcia, five-time PGA Tour winner Bryson DeChambeau and two-time PGA Tour winner Patrick Cantlay to the home of innovation in Abu Dhabi - Masdar City. Standing in front of the Knowledge Centre, the players discussed the changes that could help golf thrive in the long-term.

The players made some striking predictions on topics including the pace of play. According to the six, a round of golf should take no longer than three hours 20 minutes, with Bryson DeChambeau stating tournament rounds should take 3hours 30 minutes maximum. Five of the players also stated that beyond their own personal success, they believe Rory McIlroy will win more majors this decade than any other player.

Only Tommy Fleetwood had a different forecast, believing Tiger Woods would win more majors than anyone else on tour during the next ten years.

The players were joined by members of HSBC Future Falcons Junior Golf Programme.

Defending champion Shane Lowry said: "This is a special tournament for me. Last year, this is where my fortunes on the course really turned around. Winning gave me great confidence which stuck with me all the way to success at The Open. We may have been having a bit of fun today, but the field here is incredibly strong, and come the opening round they will all be putting up a huge challenge to make retaining my title as tough as possible. I can't wait to get started."

Four-time Major winner Brooks Koepka added: "We all love the game of golf and there are things it can do to improve. It was great to be asked here today to give my perspective on where the sport could and should go over the next decade, and I hope to see some of those predictions start to come true."

Tommy Fleetwood, two-time Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA winner, said: "Masdar City is a really exciting and innovative place. Many of the ideas around technology and innovation in urban environments are ones that golf would do well to pay attention to, and so this was a really interesting way to start a new golfing decade."

Bryson DeChambeau, added: "Since I'm already known as 'The Scientist', I felt right at home today at Masdar City. The ability to innovate and use science to create new ways of getting around eighteen holes as quickly as possible has always fascinated me, and so it was cool to see this city of the future in Abu Dhabi and to give some predictions on the future of golf."

Abdulfattah Sharaf, CEO UAE & Head of International Markets at HSBC Bank Middle East, said: "We're in for yet another thrilling week of golf, as we start a new decade with some of the best golfers on the planet competing for the prestigious Falcon Trophy.

"Working alongside our partners - the European Tour and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council - we have always been committed to supporting the growth of golf to ensure that the sport thrives in the long-term. It was wonderful to see some of the best players in the world making their own voices heard in predicting the future of the sport, alongside members of our HSBC Future Falcons Junior Golf programme. It truly represented the present and the future of this sport we love so much."

Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, added, "With the tee time of the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship presented by EGA only a few days away, we look forward to starting the New Year's sporting calendar in spectacular fashion. This Championship has always attracted the best golfers since its inception and this year is no different, as we continue our journey to establish Abu Dhabi as a global capital for sports. We believe in the power of golf to bring people together, and so it was fantastic to see Brooks, Shane, Tommy, Sergio, Bryson and Patrick spend time with the HSBC Future Falcons, making predictions about the future of golf over the next 10 years. Alongside HSBC, we are passionate about driving golf's growth in the UAE, and I am personally very excited to see how the game develops over the course of the decade. I would like to wish this year's competitors good luck and hope players and fans alike enjoy a truly memorable week."

First staged in 2006, The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship Presented by EGA - taking place from January 16-19 - is being hosted at the iconic Abu Dhabi Golf Club for the 15th consecutive year.

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Top golfers make bold predictions about the future of the sport - Khaleej Times

The best ways to react when your team members seem uninspired and unmotivated.

January 17, 2020 9 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Every small business owner aspires to grow, but that process involves challenges that are not easily fixed just by talking about goals, budgets and weekly tasks. Sometimes, a subculture of dissatisfaction creeps in, and employees start to feel uninspired and unmotivated.Conflicts start to arise, and your team feels divided and uncommunicative, especially during times when you are struggling with cash flow, capacity and the realities of growing a small business.

So you decide to put your leader hat on because you know that your employees are the lifeblood of your company and try to take action by re-engaging your troops. You hold meetingafter meeting to promote teamwork, encourage cooperationand talk about what you are all trying to accomplish together. Still, in the end, you aren't getting the results and collaboration you know everyone is capable of achieving with the right communication. What next?

Related:3 Types of Leadership Strategies That Distinguish Outstanding Entrepreneurs

It's time to make some improvements and change the status quo. Improving team performance will takededication, determination, and leadership from both you and your team. Here are a few tips to continuously implement to achieve a more productive team performance and hit your overall company goals.

High performing small business leaders stay on message all the time. They reaffirm why their work matters, the positive impact they are making in their customer's livesandcontinuously relaythe company's vision and how everyone's role is crucial in getting there.Employees will show a higher degree of commitment if they feel like their work is instrumental in achieving the company's vision and mission.

If everyone shows up at work just to work, it's easy for them to get lost in the daily operations and forget why they joined the company in the first place. When you lead with your vision and make the mission tangible, your employees will unite and work hard to achieve the common goal. Make them feel like they are working towards something big and exciting.

Related:8 Smart Leadership Strategies Most CEOs Forget to Use

Make sure to keep your team in the loop and encourage cross-team communication so everyone understands how their work impacts the company's success as a whole. Beextremely clear about what the final destination looks like, even if you don't necessarily know what the road ahead looks like yet.By doing so, you will give your employees a purpose, a desire to get involved, figure things outand drive results. However, remember to speak from the heart. Your role as a leader is to make your team feel that passion and claim it as their own. Don't be afraid to be a broken record; keep everyone's attention on the bigger picture and lead with your vision.

The simple truth is that there will always be more things to check off the task list, more people to call, more meetings to hold and more issues to address. However, burning out your employees by setting unrealistic goals and deadlines and not giving them enough time to recharge their batteries is counterproductive and creates an environment of resentment. If their loved ones complain that they work too much and at workthey hear that they need to get things done, work harder and achieve greater results, it can lead to feelings of inadequacy. Negativity will slowly creep in and affect your employees' focus and productivity. They will start feeling like they are failing everyone around them, including themselves.

Your office policies should be fair, encourage loyaltyand reward employees for their contribution and hard work. By giving everyone time to be with their loved ones, assigning mandatory scheduled time for self-careor giving a few extra days off after a challenging project to rest and recharge, you are telling them that their wellbeing matters and that you care about them as fellow humans.

Related:The Strengths and Weaknesses of 4 Distinct Leadership Strategies

It's also important to give time to your employees to gel and get to know each other on a personal level. When we know someone on a deeper level, we are more inclined to support and go the extra mile for that person, collaborate and be part of a team. Scheduling team-building exercises, encouraging after-hours get-togethersand taking the time to ask about a person's personal life and challengeswill build trust and loyalty. Make sure to create an environment where encouragement and positivity thrive and refrain from passing judgments. Remember that the people on your team are humans with their own set of problems, familiesand limitations.

As a small business owner, you usually have a limited number of employees, and you end up wearing many managerial hats. Have some of your employees ever said that they couldn't finish a task because they were waiting on your approval? Do you always feel the need to review and approve your employee's work? Do they hesitate to make moves because historically, you end up changing a lot of their work, making them doubt their abilities?

It's worth mentioning here that what you know or the way you do things might not always be the only way or even the best way to get to the desired result. By continually stepping in, you are fostering a culture of self-doubt and inaction. Instead, try to educate, be open to new ideas, motivate and inspire them to take ownership, step outand praise them for taking action on their own. Before long, your employees will be empowered, and instead of taking a backseat always awaiting direction and approvals, they will start driving the business forward alongside you. Consider specific areas of your business where you should completely step out and let others step in. Give your employees the power and self-confidence to act on their own.

Related:5 Strategies for Franchise Leadership Development

Apart from delegating more responsibilities, consider dropping the labels to foster a more positive atmosphere of mutual support, gratitudeand motivation. People like to be treated as equals and have their ideas heard and respected. Employees want to work for individuals they trust and respect. Respect is earned by what you donot what you think you're going to do. Make sure that you are not continually reinforcing your title and position as a way to get your way with employees.

In many cases, employees regard their leaders as role models and expect to learn from them through insights, shared knowledgeand expertise. If you don't take the time to transfer your accumulated knowledge and support your employee's learning journey, they might end up feeling like they are not important enough to merit the extra effort or attention. It is crucial that you make time to train your employees properly, encourage and support self-development, and acknowledgethe extra effort they are making to grow. In the end, it is all in the name of becoming a better support system for you and their colleagues.

Don't be shy to acknowledge that you don't have all the answers and encourage cross-learning at all levels and among all departments.Everybody has something to contribute, and when everyone is open to learning from each other regardless of their standing in the company, a greater sense of purpose and collaboration will develop team-wide. Always encourage your employees to take extra classes, develop additional skills and bring their learnings back into the company.

Related:22 Qualities That Make a Great Leader

Most importantly, make sure that everyone understands that their development is a crucial part of the company's overall success and that as a leader, you are there to support them in their knowledge journey and vice versa. They can sense in your daily interactions if your commitment to their growth and development is as important to you as your own. As a leader, continually invest time in your own professional growth, and in doing so, your employees will notice and follow suit.

Who doesn't like to get noticed and appreciated for their efforts and hard work?Studies have shownthat even though only 60 percentof adults in the workplace agreed that personal recognition was vital to them, over 96 percent of respondents felt that personal recognition inspired and motivated them to get more involved and do more work.

As leaders, we should never underestimate the power of giving praise when praise iswarranted, especially when one of your employees deliver exceptional results, outstanding workor even steps into leadership to encourage and listen to others. You have to take a moment to acknowledge them and their commitment to excellence. By doing so, you will empower the individual to continue in this direction and reinforce their commitment to the vision, mission and company goals.

Even better, when you, as a leader, start recognizing others' work, a culture of gratitude for others' work will begin to shine through. Not only will they start encouraging each other internally, but this will also be reflected in the service they provide to your customers. This sense of community will motivate everyone to perform at their highest level and come together as a team.

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5 Leadership Strategies to Improve Team Performance and Grow Your Small Business - Entrepreneur

Aaron Kirman knows how to close a deal: He's sold roughly $6 billion worth of real estate over his 25-year career, making him the No. 1 agent in Los Angeles and among the top in the country.

Aaron routinely sells multimillion-dollar properties, including one estate for a whopping $65 million, and on his new CNBC show, "Listing Impossible," he helps homeowners sell their luxury real estate. He also runs the Aaron Kirman Group (AKG), a real estate team he started in 2017 that's grown from seven agents at its inception to nearly 70 today.

As a top realtor, Aaron makes seven figures, but not all real estate agents earn a ton of money and that's one of the biggest misconceptions of the job. Most bring home less than $50,000 a year, Aaron estimates, while a top producer will make between $200,000 and $500,000. "Then you have the very, very, very top a select few who make more than a million," he says, adding: "And then there's one level up, which is big, mega brokers. I'm pretty lucky to consider myself one of those."

To experience a sliver of what it's like to be the top realtor in the City of Angels, I spent a day with Aaron, meeting clients and looking at listings in some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in LA.

The author and Aaron, in front of a $65 million home

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It's a brisk Monday in October. I leave my apartment around 6 a.m. to give myself plenty of time to navigate LA traffic and make it to Aaron's home in Beverly Hills on time. His two dogs, Jack and Lucy, greet me at the front door.

Aaron just moved in three weeks ago, but you can't tell. The three-bedroom home is immaculate. It has a mid-century vibe, tons of natural light and the walls are covered in funky art pieces.

"There is no typical day in real estate," he warns me when I arrive. "When we think we have a schedule, it changes. At the level that we do, people need you when they need you and they want you when they want you."

True to his word, our schedule changes multiple times over the next 12 hours. Here's how the day unfolds.

Aaron can't function without his Starbucks. "It's my addiction," he tells me. "No matter where I am, in any given city, I can't get up without it."

By the time I show up, he already has a triple soy cappuccino his typical order in hand. His personal assistant picked it up on her way to his house.

Aaron and his go-to order: a triple soy cappuccino

Most days, like this one, start between 7 and 7:30 a.m. "A lot of people start at like 5 or 6 it's just not in my nature to do that," he says. A later start does typically means a longer day: "We sometimes work until 10 p.m. When I don't have dinners or events, it's more like 8:30 to 9."

Aaron has a detailed and time-consuming morning routine that, even on the busiest days, he refuses to cut short. "I'm very careful with self-care," he says. "I notice if I don't take care of myself in the morning, I'm in a bad mood. I'm crotchety."

After his coffee, he meditates for five to six minutes by his outdoor pool. For him, that's a long time: "In the past, meditation was almost impossible for me. I move really fast, so I've had to work on that part of me. But I've noticed that I'm now much more creative, innovative, calm and centered."

Not a bad place to meditate

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He then swims a few laps and reads the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal to catch up on the news before getting ready for the day. He throws on some exercise clothes and packs his work outfit, as he won't come back home after going to the gym.

He used to get dressed up, but now that he's established himself, he can get away with a more casual look. Plus, he's learned that "the more comfortable you are in life, the better you'll do. My competition gets dressed to the nines. They wear suits, they wear ties, they wear $5,000 clothes every day. I'm a T-shirt and jeans guy."

The more comfortable you are in life, the better you'll do.

Aaron Kirman

real estate agent, star of CNBC's "Listing Impossible"

He hasn't yet eaten "breakfast is not my meal," he tells me but grabs a protein shake for the road.

Just before 10 a.m., we head to the gym. Today, we're taking Aaron's Bentley instead of his Porsche.

Since we're already behind schedule, he does an efficient, 20-minute circuit with one of his personal trainers (he has two). He aims to exercise at least 40 minutes a day on a jam-packed day like today, he'll do the second half of his workout at night.

His morning routine pushes back the start of his work day quite a bit, something he's fully aware of: "Our schedule is insane, and it doesn't help that I have this morning routine that probably drives everyone crazy.

"My staff is like, Would you mind skipping the gym? Would you mind not swimming? Would you mind not meditating? And my answer is, no. I have to protect my time. My performance is much better when I'm happy, healthy and living the way I choose to, which means being semi-selfish in the morning."

Aaron works out every day with one of his two trainers

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While our work day doesn't officially start until 11 a.m., Aaron has been taking phone calls all morning, from home and the car.

Most of the calls concern a listing party he's hosting tonight at a $65 million mansion. His team has put a lot of time and money into the event and 200 people are expected to come, but there's a fire in the area that's already closed down major roads. Aaron's trying to decide whether it's appropriate to host the party and is having his team monitor the situation throughout the morning so he can make a final call by 1 p.m.

He puts the decision on hold during his appointments. The first is with a property developer who's interested in hiring Aaron to sell a multimillion-dollar home he and his brother built. It's their first time meeting and they'll have a few more walk-throughs before deciding whether to move forward.

The first property we visit is a $15.5 million home in the heart of the Beverly Hills flats

Juwan Li / Marc Angeles

Aaron has a lot of meetings like this, in which sellers are "interviewing" him to sell their property. It's a two-way street, though: Aaron is also interviewing the seller to make sure they'll be a good match.

We're already running late for several appointments, but it doesn't phase Aaron. He simply makes a few phone calls to his assistants, who will push back his schedule.

Our next two meetings are with clients whose homes are nearly ready to put on the market one will be listed for about $20 million and the other for about $33 million. Aaron does a walk-through of both to assess the staging.

The second property we visit, a 6-bed, 9.5 bath listed for $19.995 million

Matthew Momberger

He's very pleased with some design aspects and highly unimpressed with others and he doesn't hold back when offering feedback. His commentary ranges from "Love, love, love, love." to "Hate the chandelier. We gotta get this down." to "Everything is disgusting," which was his gut reaction to one particular home theater.

The third home we visit is an 8-bed, 12-bath listed for $33.4 million

Juwan Li

Besides helping stage the home, another important part of his job is advising the seller on how to pick a fair price for the property.

"In today's market, we really want to price houses exactly where they should be because that's how we get the highest number," he tells me. "If a seller prices too high, it sits on the market and we have to go to them and ask for a reduction. We don't want that. We want to sell the house for what it's worth and get them on their way."

While Aaron can make price suggestions, at the end of the day, it's the seller who makes the final call.

Between meetings, we're in the car, which acts as Aaron's second office. "My car time is my work time," he tells me. "It's the only time we can really catch up on phone calls because we're usually so back-to-back on appointments."

Our final two appointments are in Bel Air specifically, at the Bel Air Golf Club. "This is where the big money LA is," Aaron tells me. "Houses are huge. The biggest sales we have in LA are here."

We spend just 20 minutes at the first property. It's still under construction and the seller has a lot of work to do, but just seeing the view from the infinity pool is enough to tell that this home will eventually come with a fat sticker price.

This particular property still has a lot of work to be done, but the infinity pool is in nice shape

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The last appointment of the day is with a potential buyer: He's a billionaire interested in a $65 million mansion. It's the home where Aaron's listing party was supposed to take place. He made the decision to cancel it because he felt it would be insensitive to host a fun event while neighboring communities were dealing with a destructive fire. Additionally, the theme of the event was fire and water and there were supposed to be fire dancers performing. "That would have been a PR nightmare," he says. "In real estate, when you're at the top of the game like we are, people like to talk and read and write and so we have to be very cautious with our approach. Anything we do can make the news."

Working with the super rich is part of Aaron's day-to-day. Surprisingly, they're also some of his more frugal clients, he tells me: "Ironically, I've noticed that sometimes the more money people have, the less they want to spend it, so getting these deals through can be a challenge."

I can't tag along to meet the billionaire buyer because NDAs have been signed, but Aaron shows me the property after they chat. It's a 28,000-square-foot masterpiece with nine beds, 17 baths, a moat and 160-foot swimming pool.

The last property we see is a resort-like oasis

Juwan Li / Marc Angeles

It even has a full-service hair and nail salon in the master suite.

Features in this $65 million mansion include a hair and nail salon

Juwan Li / Marc Angeles

Our last stop of the day is Aaron's office, where his entire AKG team is based. It's in Beverly Hills, not too far from his home where we began the day. "The secret of Los Angeles is working close to where you live," he tells me. "That way you're not stuck in traffic for hours and hours."

He has a brief moment to eat his first real meal of the day (pasta and chicken) before stepping into a tech meeting. Finally, around 5:30 p.m., he can check in face-to-face with his assistants and office manager, who help run his business and life.

"People don't realize that behind every person who's very successful there's a team of people who drive that support system," he tells me. "I wouldn't survive day in and day out if I didn't have somebody doing my emails, my calendar, my marketing, my advertising, my technology."

People don't realize that behind every person who's very successful there's a team of people who drive that support system.

Aaron Kirman

real estate agent, star of CNBC's "Listing Impossible"

Aaron has a personal assistant, whose day starts when his does. After delivering his morning coffee to his home, she'll do everything from feeding and walking his dogs to restocking his fridge to filling up his gas tank. Other assistants handle the phone calls that come into his office, the hundreds of emails he gets a day and all of his schedule changes.

It's already been a full day, but he hasn't done any "actual work," he says.

"This is where the business is actually going to get done," Aaron tells me from his corner office. Before diving into the financials of the company and other business tasks with his office manager, he grabs a bag of Pirate's Booty for a snack. An assistant brings him an English tea, which is a new part of his evening routine. "At the end of the day my voice sounds like my Grandma and it sounds like I have nodules even though I don't," says Aaron. He's hoping the tea helps with that.

Aaron heads home around 7 p.m., which is earlier than expected because the party was canceled. Most days end between 9 and 10 p.m.

He doesn't mind the long hours, though. For one, "I don't sit at a desk or in an office. I'm out and about."

Second, to reach his level of success in the real estate world, you have to put in the work, he says. It also takes "patience, innovation, creativity and a lot of understanding of what people want," he adds. "My secret has always been to connect to my clients, understand what it is that they want and what they don't want.

"I consider myself to be a master salesman, but that doesn't mean I sell it just means I know human character, and understanding human character usually leads to success."

"Listing Impossible" premieres on CNBC tonight at 10 p.m. ET

Don't miss: A day in the life of a NYC food truck owner who's up at 12:30 a.m. to park and sleeps in the driver's seat overnight

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A day in the life of the top real estate agent in LA, who makes millions selling luxury properties to the super rich - CNBC

On Friday, Sydney-based personal trainer Jono Castano Acero posted a photo with the Australian actress, saying he was proud of Wilson for sticking to it.

"Friday vibes, but @rebelwilson has been putting in the yards 7 days a week! Proud of you gurl," he wrote.

"I put on the athleisure and went out for a walk, deliberately hydrating on the couch right now and trying to avoid the sugar and junk food which is going to be hard after the holidays I've just had but I'm going to do it!" she wrote. "Who's with me in making some positive changes this year?"

"These people are like, the best dancers in the whole world, so they can't cool their muscles down or they could get an injury and they'd be out of the film ... So, they'd heat up the set like a sauna so we would never cool down, but made it pretty uncomfortable," Wilson said in the interview.

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Rebel Wilson shows off her weight loss in new Instagram post, after calling 2020 'The Year of Health' - CNN

Does your business occupy a crowded niche? If so, you'll need to stand out to survive.

January 15, 2020 4 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

These days, its increasingly difficult for an entrepreneurs business to stand out. Extreme competition has led to consumers having high expectations. Oftentimes, simply offering above-average quality products wont cut it. Business owners need to reject the dangerous idea that differentiation is about what their company does uniquely in terms of process, packaging, delivery, marketing, etc. Its all about what the customer gets out of a product, whether by way of greater utility, better features, lower cost or other impactful benefits.

Asmanagement guru Peter Druckerfamously stated,A product is not quality because it is hard to make and costs a lot of money, as manufacturers typically believe. This is incompetence. Customers pay only for what is of use to them and gives them value. Nothing else constitutes quality.

Competitive advantage, as Jeff Bezos likes to say, is about customer obsessiveness -- providinguses and advantages that make consumers happy and inspire them to re-order from the business again and again. Here are three credos businesses should keep in mind whenseeking a competitive edge over rivals.

Related: 4 Ways to Protect Your Company's Online Reputation

As Drucker says, quality should be looked upon from the customers perspective,not the suppliers. More specifically, itshould meet or exceed the buyers expectations when it comes toreliability and durability, safety and security, efficiency,user experience andcustomer service.

High quality alsoleads to potentially millions of dollars in free publicity. A recent example is Teslas Cybertruck. Its 2019 unveiling generated extreme worldwide buzz and rave reviews from auto experts. Elon Musks company subsequently received a quarter of a million pre-orders in less than a week. And while most companies cant match Musks bold vision and designs, let alone resources, Tesla can serveas an inspiration to entrepreneurs who strive for superiorquality and long-term, loyal customers.

Another example is Tael, whose anti-counterfeiting tech allows consumers to verify product authenticity with their mobile phone. The company evenbuilt a whole ecosystem of quality around its users, who are rewarded with tokens that can be used for high-quality goods and carefully selected services.

Speed doesn't mean what it used to. People arent easily impressed when Apple, Google and Amazon are spoiling them with superb devices and services delivered virtually in real time. Speed now means instant transactions, immediate customer service and one-day shipping or same-day, door-to-door delivery.

In the blockchain industry, speed is essential for mass adoption. Transactions can be slow and, depending on the network, can take over an hour to settle. That kind of cycle time is unimpressive for a payment system. Speed is also essential in the food sector. Multiple studies show that diners get exponentially angry if they wait more than 20 minutes for food.

Speed and quality are reasons why Instant Pot is the No. 1 selling product on Amazon. In the late 2000s, founder Robert Wangbet his savings that a multi-purpose pot that cooks fast would be well-received by busy moms and professionals. As forhis continuing success, Wang invokes Drucker's principle, readingallnegative reviews and improving the manufacturing process based on negative customer feedback.

Revelations of Google and Facebook'sdata-mining practices are making people concerned about the use of personal information. Legislation that would classify personal data as private property has stalled in Congress, but technologists wont and shouldn'twait for Washington, ascompanies can earn consumertrust by implementing user-friendly privacy policies and innovations.

Take ARPA, a blockchain venture that enables organizations to collaborate and share computational data without compromising privacy or data security. The firm uses privacy-smart contractsand enables participants to communicate via a trustless network, protecting sensitive info from hackers with a propietary method that includes message-authentication codes andsecret-sharing.

Related: To Beat the Competition, Become the Most Convenient Option

Without recurring sales, a business slowly dies, and happy customers are what drives recurring sales. That's why it's crucial to keep in mind that quality, speed and privacy can give any businesses an edge in todays competitive marketplace.

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3 Ways to Differentiate Your Business in a Competitive Market - Entrepreneur

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Im a fan of reading inspirational and motivational quotes. I often find a great quote and share it with my team at Shepard Presentations, and sometimes with the readers of this column as well.

That brings me to Dan Sullivan, creator of the Strategic Coach program. Dan is a great coach who is full of great sayings. When I first met him, I asked why I should pay to be coached by him or one of his trainers. He gave me the same answer hes given to thousands of others, which, in a way, makes it a quote. But instead, Ill call it his brand promise. Its simple. Dan said, I want to help you grow your business 10 times and take off 150 days a year.

Ive been a part of the Strategic Coach program for more than 20 years now. Ive learned quite a bit. Ive grown my business and I take more time off than ever, although some years Im better at it than others. The point is, Im experiencing his promise first-hand.

Dan is a content machine, producing new material every few months to share with the thousands of clients he coaches. He comes up with sayings and phrases that make great sense. At our last coaching session, we were given a book, The Best Of: The Always Quotable Dan Sullivan. And today I want to share with you three of my favorite Dan Sullivan quotes:

1.There are two kinds of people: Batteries Included and Batteries Not Included.

I have a lot of energy. People often say Im like the Energizer BunnyI just keep going and going. As I read that quote, I recognized myself in those words. Im a Batteries Included kind of guy. And, I like hanging around people who are also Batteries Included. Those people are positive, energetic and motivated; they take charge and embrace challenges. They move in a positive direction. Batteries Not Included people are negative, cant see opportunity, complain a lot and dont take initiative. Who would you rather be around? Who would you want to work with? Who would you want as the leader of your organization? My answer (and probably yours, too) is a Batteries Included leader.

2.Sometimes growing pains can feel like failureand sometimes failure is part of the growth.

Failing isnt fun. There are many different types of failure: business, relationship, financial, athletic, personal, professional the list can go on and on. One thing Ive learned is that all failure leads to a lesson. This is something Dan teaches. Sometimes you may feel like youre failing when youre actually moving closer to growth and success. If you follow Dans methodology, youll realize success doesnt happen by accident. So, when you set out to do something new, first identify the best and worst possible outcomes. By identifying the worst in advance, you can recognize obstacles and find ways to lessen the likelihood of failure. Yet as carefully as you plan, remember that the best laid plans dont always result in success. Everyone is allowed to feel sorry for themselvesbut not for long. You must, metaphorically, get up and dust yourself off. Understanding what went wrong is crucial to avoiding it in the future. Failure is part of growth. Sounds like common sense, doesnt it? Well, unfortunately, its not so common. The best people will analyze both wins and losses/failuresand learn from both.

3.For a company to grow 10x, it doesnt need your managing, it needs self-managing.

This is the big secret to the Strategic Coach program. What Dan and his coaches teach is that the best leaders dont manage the company. They manage the process that creates a company that can manage itself. When I attended my first year of coaching sessions, I quickly realized what my talents were and what I needed to delegate. The only way to grow my business was to give it to others to growin other words, delegate and oversee. Ive yet to master this concept, but Im much further along than when I started. Study successful companies and youll discover that their leaders are often people who recognize what theyre good at and then surround themselves with others whose strengths complement their own. That is how you build a great teamand a great company.

There you have it. Three great quotesthree great pieces of advice. Consider how you can apply these quotes to your own lifeboth professional and personal. Look up some more of Dan Sullivans quotes, or find quotes from other thinkers and leaders who inspire you. Share these with your team. Let these nuggets of wisdom inspire and guide you toward success.

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Three Quotes That Inspire Great Leadership And Success - Forbes

ANALYSIS/OPINION:

Coming Home contains truths about the relationship between African-Americans and Donald Trump that will not be reported by the media. Vernon Robinson and Bruce Eberle have broken new ground and explain how this relationship is key to President Trumps reelection. Ken Blackwell, former Ohio secretary of state

What do Kay Coles James, Ben Carson, Star Parker, Candace Owens, Ken Blackwell, Diamond and Silk, and Alveda King have in common?

They are bold, compassionate leaders who believe that every person is created equal by God himself. They understand that every human life has infinite value and limitless potential. They have suffered from some sort of discrimination but are not bitter. Instead, they seek reconciliation, believe in redemption, and work to advance a more just society. They know that hard work, economic freedom, the preservation of the traditional family, and reducing government control are the keys to success.

And they are black Americans who support the policies of President Trump.

If you listen to their personal stories and read their excellent writings, you will understand why they believe that if black Americans or Hispanic, Asian, white or any other Americans are to have a better chance of achieving personal success, then Donald Trump must be reelected president.

Leftists, who seek to enslave minorities and hold them captive to government control, dont want you to read the works of these brave Americans. They use cruel ridicule and slander in an effort to silence them and other heroes from the black community, because they understand that if more people of color knew the truth, they would vote for the freedom policies promoted by Mr. Trump.

We must read and spread their messages so that all Americans can continue to have their lives improved. Read Ms. James brilliant writings at Heritage.org or Mr. Carsons many inspiring speeches at hud.gov. Log on to Ms. Owens BlexitFoundation.org or to Ms. Parkers UrbanCure.org to be inspired. Become educated about the rights of a persecuted people at Ms. Kings CivilRightsForTheUnborn.org.

A fantastic new book by veteran political strategists Vernon Robinson III and Bruce Eberle, titled Coming Home: How Black Americans Will Reelect Trump, explains why black Americans will unleash freedom for all of us as they show up in record numbers to vote for Republican candidates and Mr. Trump.

As the authors point out, all we have to do is cut through the noise and lies and share the truth to the black community about who has their best interest at heart, and they will respond. Available on Amazon.com, Coming Home has lessons that will lead to victory in this election and for years to come as black Americans come to realize in even greater numbers why the GOPs policies of freedom and faith are essential for human thriving.

Mr. Eberle (on whose board I serve) has long known that black Americans embrace the freedom message when they hear it. Hes been active in the battle for equality and liberty longer than just about anyone, and spearheaded information campaigns that provided the margin for victory in the black community that Mr. Trump needed to win in 2016.

And the result? American blacks, Hispanics and Asians are enjoying record low numbers of unemployment. The percentage increase in wages is the highest since 2009, and is growing the fastest for low-income workers.

Mr. Eberle continues to make it his mission to obliterate leftist policies designed to keep minorities in poverty, divide Americans and make us all slaves to government.

America cant afford to be a divided nation. What gives us strength is unity. When we allow others to divide us for political gain, America is weakened, Mr. Eberle says. While Coming Home is the story of black Americans coming home to the party of Lincoln and Trump, its also a rebuttal of the idea that conservatives have a history of racism and that we are today racists.

In reality, conservatives are the champions of the downtrodden and of those who have been betrayed by those on the left. And, the very good news is that the sound economic policies of President Trump have helped those at the bottom of the economic ladder the most. What we are witnessing is a rebirth of the American Dream for all our citizens.

Rebecca Hagelin can be reached at [emailprotected]

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Black Americans are coming home to the GOP - Washington Times

How do you coach your sales teams?

Its a common challenge across sales teams throughout all industries: the natural tendency for many salespeople is to react versus create in the sales situations they find themselves. Like in other aspects of our lives, reacting to a situation as opposed to creatingor being in control ofa situation will not yield the success you want.

The problem is, as it relates to sales, if people arent held accountable, they will look for shortcuts and be reactive rather than creative. Thats where effective leadership comes into play. Salespeople want a leader that they look up to and trust. If you put processes in place that allow them to follow an effective and proven leader, they feel more ownership of their work.

Ive found that all too often, sales leadership will hold people accountable in the wrong way. They use the carrot and the stick approach rather than giving them the tools they need to succeed along the way. Instead, successful organizations focus on coaching, training, and providing the resources needed to create success rather than react to situations they didnt create.

This is why we created The Dakota Way. We believe there are distinct ways of working and doing a job. We aim to avoid shortcuts and focus on doing business in what we consider to be the right way. By right way, we mean doing the things other people don't want to do. Sales is hard; rejection is hard. But it's not personal. If you have a high-quality product, there are people who want to hear about it.

As a leadership team, we created a sales approach that defines how to sell an investment strategy to a professional buyer of investment strategies. Our goal has been to put an extreme amount of detail around the sales process so everyone on our team knows what works, how it works, and how to follow it. The buck stops with the leadership team. The tough reality about sales is this: most salespeople, without proper sales leadership, will do things that avoid doing what's most important because it's not easy.

Your goal as a sales leader is to hold people accountable for doing what is most important. However, before you can do that, leaders need to take responsibility for how they engage and interact with their teams. For me, I focus on my people personally and how to help them grow individually.

Its safe to always assume that your salespeople dont know what is needed to succeed, that they want to be led and shown how to succeed. As leaders, its your responsibility to help develop them according to your best practices. Ensure there is a high level of interaction with your sales team focused on reporting on how they are doing within the process you have designed.

There are many different levels of leadership and sales leadership, but to put the bare bones in place you want to be, in the words of the great leadership consultant and author, Robert Anderson William Adams who wrote Mastering Leadership, you must move beyond the Reactive leadership style to Creative leadership style.

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The Key to a Performing Sales Team is Its Leadership - Forbes