Everything R.I.S.E.s and Falls on Leadership
My personal belief is that companies, countries, and even families succeed and/or fail based on the leadership that is in place. The simplest definition that I use for leadership is “leadership is influence”. This idea was really brought to the forefront by John C. Maxwell, one of the great leadership experts this world has ever seen. Like it or not you are a leader in some capacity of your life and have a responsibility to provide the best example for those who follow you. The R.I.S.E. acronym is something that I have used throughout my adult life to shape my leadership message and content that I put out to the world.
R.- REAL (Is it real?)
Is the leadership principle or advice that I’m about to give real? It’s a very simple question but vitally important to ask. No one likes to listen to an “armchair quarterback” that is speaking conceptually. We want to know that the ideas and principles have been tested and proven to work in real world scenarios. I won’t ask anyone to do something that I haven’t already done myself. Often our “best” ideas on paper end up being our worst ideas in reality. So, test and vet it out thoroughly before exposing it to your audience.
I.- INSPIRE (Does it inspire?)
Arguably the most important job of a leader is to inspire their followers to do more and be more than they thought possible. Ronald Reagan once said, “the greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things”. We all want to be inspired and we know what an incredible feeling it is to be in that state. Before you deliver a message, does it make you “want to run through a brick wall” or “feel a part of something greater than yourself”? Share your passion and let the people around you feel it too!
S.- SIMPLE (Is it simple?)
I have been asked many times in my life “what my superpower is”? My answer has always come back with a very concise answer of “I make things simple”. In my opinion the world is complex enough and we all have enough on our plates. If we have the option to make something simpler then we should explore that option. Studies have shown repeatedly that we have a higher likelihood of following through on habits and goals if they are simple and repeatable. That is the reason I use acronyms and virtually every lesson is based on 3. Our brains are wired to remember up to 3 items. After 3, it certainly becomes more of a strain and hence less simple.
E.- Effective (Is it effective?)
This is my favorite part of the acronym because it involves feedback and reflection. I don’t believe that anything in this world is really a finished project. Even the highest performers are always trying to tweak their skills to get that slight advantage over their opponents. The world is ever evolving and constantly checking in to see if there is a new technology that can support it or perhaps there is a more efficient manner to achieve the same result. As you reflect it allows you to celebrate your wins and challenges your mind to find a better way for next time. One thing I know about leaders is they love to celebrate and need to be challenged constantly.
Robert Ingersoll was an American lawyer, writer, and orator during the Golden Age of Freethought, and he once said, “we rise by lifting others”. Utilize the R.I.S.E. acronym to enhance your leadership message and influence. I read an anonymous quote that said, “It’s time to rise! Rise up to your potential! Rise up past your limitations!”. I couldn’t agree more. You and those that follow you, deserve your very best. Let’s RISE and Go Win!
If you love a good podcast, check out my podcast “Let’s Go Win”. It’s a show with lively conversations providing tips on leadership, mindset, health, and everything you’ll need for success at work, at home, and in life! I’d love your opinion and a review!
JM Ryerson founded and sold 3 businesses and is now helping leadership teams do the same. He is an Author, Leadership & Performance Coach, International Speaker, and host of the Let’s Go Win podcast who has been building companies and leading sales teams for over 20 years. JM is the co-founder and CEO of Let’s Go Win whose mission is to increase leadership, enhance culture, and help teams achieve peak performance. JM’s great passions are inspiring people to live their best lives and become open to what life has in store for them. His ultimate goal is to give others the tools that will allow them to transcend their self-limiting beliefs. JM was raised in Montana and lives in Boca Raton, Florida with his wife Lisa and their two amazing boys.
