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especially demonstrating a willingness to do things others are not willing
to do, influence over others increases. Hard work is “hard,” but it does
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pay huge dividends.

A good example of the importance of self-discipline is Gary Player, one of

the past great international golfers. When someone once said to him: “I’d
give anything if I could hit a golf ball like you,” he responded: “No, you
wouldn’t. You’d give anything to hit a golf ball like me, if it were easy.”
Player then listed the things one would have to do in order to achieve his
level of play: “You’ve got to get up a five o’clock in the morning, go out

and hit a thousand golf balls, walk up to the club house to put a bandage
on your hand where it started bleeding, then go and hit another thousand
golf balls. That’s what it takes to hit a golf ball like me.” 130

A man’s true greatness lies in the consciousness of an honest purpose in
life, founded on a just estimate of himself and everything else, on frequent
self-examinations, and a steady obedience to the rule which he knows to be

right, without troubling himself with what others might think or say, or
whether they do or do not do that which he thinks and says. Marcus
Aurelius.

Delivers results

A leader establishes a track record of results and gets the right things done.
It is important to make things happen and accomplish what you’re
expected to do. But one shouldn’t overpromise and under-deliver, or make
excuses for not delivering. 131

Being able to deliver results is the mark of a competent leader. If followers
doubt the leader’s ability to deliver, they are less likely to continue to
follow. They must believe that the person is capable and effective and

129 http://www.briantracy.com/blog/leadership-success/top-leaders-maintain-high-expectations-and-self-
discipline-personal-power/.
130 Adapted from James Emery White, You Can Experience . . A Spiritual Life, Nashville: Word
Publishing, 1999, p. 201.
131 http://www.missionfacilitators.com/Articles/Executive%20Coaching/Tools/13%20Behaviors%20Handout
%20about%20Trust.pdf.

David Kolzow 113