INGREDIENTS FOR GREAT LEADERSHIP

A good leader is ready for any situation. If your are in a leadership role, you will not only learn about people's personal skills and talents, you will learn almost every detail about their personal lives... What I would like to reveal to you is my own leadership model, which I call REVEAL. It is my sincere hope that this model will serve you well in your own pursuits.
​- Peter Mercanti
Reflect
Making mistakes, as I have done many times, can make us better people, causing us to be more self-reflective. We have to make the time to reflect at the end of each day and summon the humility to admit our mistakes, the courage to correct them and then the fortitude to move forward and make the situation the best it can be.
Engage
Spending a lot of time getting to know your employees is critical to good leadership. It is easy to get wrapped up in the millions of details to be juggled and the profits we always have to keep an eye on. But we must never forget or neglect to find the time and make the effort to get to know our employees.
Values
I believe that good leaders are values-based people. Really good leaders are people of good character. Building personal character will benefit you, your employees and your family and friends. It sets an example to employees as to what you expect of them but also of the kind of people they can be. 
Empower
There are many ways to empower employees. Regular recognition and affirmation of good work goes a long way. Offering new opportunities to them sends a clear signal that you believe in them. I've had employees who had a special gift or aptitude, and I would do whatever I could to help them achieve a dream. 
Apply Yourself
Employees are not inspired by leaders who are never around or who have a poor work ethic. They have to be inspired by our work ethic, our commitment to our vision and our determination to see it all actualize. If employees don't see dedication and commitment in their leader, they will not be committed or dedicated.
Letting Go
I believe that the inability to surrender and let go can destroy a family, personal relationships, businesses and one's very self. Great leaders aren't always right, and sometimes they make mistakes. It takes greatness in a leader to  admit to a mistake, rise above ego and be able to let go of the mistake. It's easy to say that you are letting something go, but it's never easy to do.

INGREDIENTS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS

I call my Business plan for success "THE 12 PLUS 12 PLAN". Success involves business ingredients as well as personal ingredients, both working together to accomplish the goal.
- Peter Mercanti
PERSONAL INGREDIENTS
     1. A strong desire to be your own boss and your own person without others telling you what to do everyday.
     2. Getting a sense of pride and accomplishment from earning your money in your own way.
     3. Have a competitive nature combined with self-confidence and a belief that you can do whatever you dream of doing.
     4. A positive attitude is critical; you must believe in what you are doing and that it will work no matter what happens.
     5. You must have the ability to acknowledge your talents and abilities and a strong desire to make the best of them.
     6. Go into every meeting, negotiation and business venture with the intent that you and your negotiating partner will both WIN!
     7. You must never be a quitter.
     8. Have no fear to stand up and face the beast.
     9. A business life can be riddled with stress, and you have to be able to manage that stress.
     10. Be prepared for your business life to spill over into every aspect of your life.
     11. Commit yourself to remaining true to your values.
     12. You must hate losing.
BUSINESS INGREDIENTS
     1. You must provide a service people want to buy.
     2. The business world is a jungle. Research and understand that jungle in its entirety.
     3. Not only do you have to offer what people want, you have to offer it in a unique way; a way that your competitors do not.
     4. Look into the future. While you are doing that, research exhaustively, getting to know the trends and where your niche is.
     5. Plan down to the penny and minute, knowing exactly where you are going and what it will cost in dollars and in time.
     6. Do the math. Every penny counts, and there is no room for error, especially when you are competing with the "big boys".
     7. Whether you opt for smaller volume with higher prices or large volume and lower prices, know your profit to the penny.
     8. When plotting your budget to the penny, always consider the "screw-up factor."
     9. Acquire the ability to read and completely understand financial statements.
     10. Business is like a chess game; you always have to be five steps ahead.
     11. Team, Team, Team. You must have a good team.
     12. Make as many connections as you can; smart people can give good advice and powerful people who can help make it happen.

INGREDIENTS FOR HAPPINESS

I believe that happiness is subjective. What brings happiness to one person can be slightly different than what brings happiness to another... Happiness is achieved when one attains a state of mind that is filled with peace, contentment, and enlightenment.
My ingredients for happiness are listed here and can be termed: "LARGE".
- Peter Mercanti
LOVE
You have all heard it said that money will not buy you happiness. It is said by so many people across time and around the world because it is true. Money can buy you a materially comfortable life, but money cannot buy you happiness. Your primary driving force ought to be bringing peace and joy to the people you love, to empower them and help them be better people.
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​ATTITUDE
The critical ingredient here is gratitude. People with gratitude tend to be happy. You have to be grateful for it all - the good and the bad. Gratitude gives you the energy to get up every day with enthusiasm, to approach every day with a positive attitude and to draw out of any experience the good that can come from it.
​RIGHTEOUSNESS
I don't believe there is one path to happiness; each of us finds our own path in our own way. However, if that path deviates from that which is righteous and good, we will not be happy. With righteousness comes fairness, justice and prudence. When a business owner uses fairness and justice, it builds a culture of compassion and mutual respect. It creates a culture of happiness.
​GENEROSITY
I can't help but conclude that generosity plays an important part in our happiness. No one can deny the wonderful "high" that comes from being generous with others. Not only by supporting charities and helping employees and friends through difficult times, but working hard on one's self to be generous with love.
​EXCELLENCE
Never mistake excellence for superiority over someone else. And excellence truly can only be measured by you. Excellence is not about "measuring up" to society's expectations or living up to someone else's standards. Each of us knows deep inside what we are capable of doing, and all of us are capable of being great things. I would consider it sinful to underestimate oneself and not use the great gifts one is given. Whether it is a trade, a skill or your personality, whatever it is, strive for excellence.

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT PETER MERCANTI'S INGREDIENTS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS, LEADERSHIP, AND HAPPINESS?