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8 Strive for balance; don’t
always be negative.
When you find the need
to discuss a problem with a team
member, acknowledge their good
work habits and behavior too.
This way you can reinforce your
expectations, and the individual
can more easily make the con-
nection and see where they fal-
tered and need improvement.
Infusing the positive along with
the negative will always prove
beneficial long term.
9 Be communicative. The
way you speak with peo-
ple sets your tone.
Communication is not just how
you verbalize your thoughts and
comments; it’s also your look,
tone, gestures and body language.
For instance, if you are sharing
your concerns with someone but
you’re looking away, engaging in
work or checking your text mes-
sages, there will be a significant
disconnect in your communica-
tion. When you need to discuss
something, clear your plate, be
totally focused on the situation at
hand and deal with it head on.
By being totally engaged at all
levels of communication you are
more likely to find a clear solu-
tion to the problem or situation.
10 Be approachable
and open to all
possibilities. Do
you sit in your ivory tower or do
you have a true open-door policy?
Does your team, staff, child or
spouse find you approachable?
The true sign of a good leader is
one who is open and approach-
able, because the fact is people
are looking to you for direction
and guidance. Nothing is more
frustrating than to work with
someone in authority who is
close-minded and a hermit. Get
out among the people you man-
age, be involved and let them see
your presence. This will instill
confidence in them that you are
engaged in their growth and
well-being.
11 Be coachable; you
are never too old
to learn. My son
Alex and daughter Caitlin
became really active in their
high school lacrosse teams and
were exceptional players. When
they left for college, their love
of the game continued. Before
they left, I remember them ask-
ing, “Dad, what should I
remember if I want to excel at
sports?” I told them that there
are two things to remember, “Be
eligible, and secondly, be coach-
able.” In other words, academics
come first, otherwise no college
in the country is going to want
you. No coach or university
wants someone who can only
shoot a lacrosse ball but can’t
produce in the classroom—
studies come first. Be eligible to
play. Then by all means be
coachable. Listen, ask questions,
be inquisitive and go beyond
the basics. No matter how long
you’ve played the game, you can
always learn something. Be
open to the possibilities. As the
coach, be open to learning too.
12 Be passionate.
Last, be passionate
about what you
do—every aspect of what you do.
Loving what you do is great but
passion is infectious. Let every-
one in your family, business,
organization or team see the pas-
sion in you; this quality will go
viral quickly and makes for a
great environment.
Taking these qualities and
melding them together makes
good organizations great.
Whether it is a family, a business
or a lacrosse team, personal
responsibility and accountability
go a long way. Always remember,
accountability begins with you.
Be introspective and willing to
say, “How can I improve?”
Imagine each of us doing
these 12 things. What a better
world it would be.
MANAGEMENT
Cliff Quicksell, Jr., MAS+, serves both as a consultant and acting director of marketing for distributor
iPROMOTEu. He has been in the promotional industry for more than 30 years in various capacities.
Additionally, Quicksell is president of his own international speaking and consulting company, speaking,
coaching and consulting on ways and methods that companies can grow, expand and prosper. He has
helped and spoken to audiences in more than eight countries and has published two books and more
than 800 articles on sales, marketing and creativity. He can be reached at 301-717-0615, via email at
or on his LinkedIn profile.
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