You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.  Or can you?  According to Zig Ziglar you can get him to drink by salting his oats.  That made the horse thirsty.  Think about that example and apply it to your own life and your own leadership.What about you? Do you have something burning inside you? Frankly, if you do not have the WHY the HOW will not matter. Motivation and goal achievement are interrelated. Knowing what motivates you is a key to achievement and knowing how to find motivation in others is a key to leadership. Dwight Eisenhower said that leadership is getting others to do what you want because THEY want to do it. Reach down and find that motivation and bring it to the surface. What is your passion? If you are not sure why not start by doing a dream inventory. ... 09/27/2015

39 Photos Status: FOR SALE Price: $699,500 Move In Ready Address: 1 Gressel Place Type: Residential Style: Single Story Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3 Suite: Yes Living Area: 2,369 square feet Year Built: 1955 More Details Virtual Tour View Rooms Request More Info | Email Listing Description Do you need a separate office, exercise room, quarters for your nanny, or have extended family, then this house is for you! Totally renovated home in Armonk with separate studio and private entrance on over 3 acres overlooking pond.The main house itself offers 3 bedrooms with 1.5 baths plus a new eat in kitchen with granite counters and stainless steel appliances leading to an over sized living room / dining room combo with fireplace. Door from kitchen out to large blue stone terrace in the courtyard. Fu... 09/25/2015

The Armonk Chamber of Commerce will hold its Annual Fall Festival on Sunday, September 30, 2015.   The festival will begin with a 5 K run at 9:30am at Wampus Brook Park.This year will feature Jamie's 5K Run Fo Love.  The Event is being sponsored by the Armonk Chamber of Commerce.But that is not all.  After the 5K Run for Love the Fall Festival will follow with things like a pie eating contest and donut fishing.Here are the details: Location: Wampus Park   Date: Sunday, September 20, 2015   Time:  9:30am to 2:00pm Armonk has two weekends coming up with activities beginning this Sunday with this event and next weekend with the Armonk Outdoor Art Show.   Information and pictures provided by Grant Schneider, Performance Development Strategies.    Would you like to know how to make your loca... 09/15/2015

The 54th Annual Armonk Art Show will take place on September 26 and 27th at Community Park, Armonk, NY.  Mark your calendars for a weekend of fine art and fine crafts.  There will be art and crafts to fit every taste and every budget.This is a big event for residents and visitors alike.  Take home a painting or art object for your home created by one of our local artists.  The show will take place rain or shine.  Refreshments will be available in a food court.  There will be children's activities including an artists scavenger hunt for children ages 5 to 12.The proceeds from the show will benefit The North Castle Public Library.Here are the details:Dates: September 26th and 27thTime:  10:00AM to 5:00PMCost: $10 for Adults  18 and under free Information and pictures provided by Grant Sch... 09/09/2015

Every decision we make leads to an outcome good or bad.  We make the best decisions when rely on our strengths rather than try to shore up our weaknesses.Unfortunately, most of us have little sense of our talents and strengths, much less the ability to build our lives around them. Instead, guided by our parents and others from the time we were growing up, we end up living lives that have been influenced by them. This results in working on our weaknesses while neglecting our strengths and our dreams.Have you ever given any thought to the fact that 88% of the decisions you make on a daily basis rely on your natural talents and tendencies and that these are part of your subconscious. Your subconscious is an important, powerful, and much needed tool. The unconscious handles all of your basi... 08/30/2015

There is a brand new snack and dessert concept in Armonk , NY in Armonk Square.  Peachwave Self Serve Frozen Yogurt has arrive at 402 Armonk Square.According to their website Peachwave offers a quality alternative to frozen desserts containing high amounts of fat and sugar.Peachwave is certainly a popular place on a warm summer night.  That was the case last night when I went to see what was being given away.You make your own fozen yogurt from all of the flavor selections.  Next you put toppings on and take it to the cashier to have it weighed.I tried some today and I am hooked.  I hope this really is healthy because there were many delicious flavors.  I made a cup with four flavors.Here is the address:Peachwave of ArmonkArmonk Square402 Main StreetArmonk, NY  10504 914-730-1051 Hours 1... 08/19/2015

If you are a high achiever you are accountable for results.  You say what you will do and ask others to hold you to it.  In an organization the person who holds you accountable would be your manager.  But if you are in  business for yourself you must hold yourself accountable.  One way to do that is to have an accountability partner.   Creating a culture of accountability requires collaboration, communication of goals, and understanding the nature of motivation.   Having conversations about accountability with your partner requires several things. First, you need to communicate the goals and the desired outcomes. Second, you must be truthful and be totally transparent regarding challenges and obstacles. Third, you must be open about your mistakes and what you have learned from them. Hon... 08/02/2015

Doing the right thing or doing the right things is the hallmark of leadership.  Dave Thomas, founder of Wendys, had a number of statements that he instilled in all of his managers.  One of them was, "Do the right thing".  But other things have to happen in a successful business.  Things must be done right.   Both of these behaviors are required to lead a team or manage a business. In Doing Things Right you establish detailed steps and timetables for achieving needed results, establish structure, monitor results, and execute specific plans. On the other hand, Doing the Right Things includes establishing direction, aligning people, and motivating and inspiring people. In short, management (Doing Things Right) is important but will not succeed without leadership (Doing the Right Things). I... 07/12/2015

During this Independence Day weekend it might be appropriate to talk about leadership by recalling leadership quotes from some of our past military leaders. It is not surprising that many great civilian leaders that we have known have received their leadership lessons in the US military.  "Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity." -- Gen. George S. Patton "Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it."                -- President Dwight D. Eisenhower The leadership in the US Armed forces inspires and demands that each person does his or her very best. Now that doesn’t mean that everyone has to have a management style like Patton. Those were his traits. People with to... 07/05/2015

I can easily come up with five reasons and more reasons why I love where I live.  I love living in Armonk NY.  Armonk is in the Town of North Castle in Westchester County NY which is part of the Metropolitan New York Area.They say location, location, location and where I live is certainly great location for many reasons.  To begin with I live in walking distance to everything in town.  Our town is vibrant with an very attractive town center.  Here is the Armonk Town Sqaure, a new addition of shops to the downtown of Armonk.  This area is a great please to meet have a cup of coffee and do some shopping.  I meet many people for coffee at the Tazza Café along this row.  We can sit at the marble counter below or one of the tables, easy chairs, or outside.We have wonderful local community ev... 06/29/2015

I love living in Armonk, New York. This is a beautiful community that reminds you of a small in a rural setting while being a little more than one half hour from New York City.  Armonk is located in the southeast corner of New York State and borders Greenwich, Connecticut.In 1988, we were fortunate to find a custom builder to build home on a subdivided piece of land near the center of town.  Armonk was a prime choice because of the highly acclaimed Byram Hills Schools.  Although Armonk has outstanding schools the taxes "comparatively speaking" are not as high as the other neighborhoods with outstanding schools such as Scarsdale and Chappaqua.Our home is in a great neighborhood.  Neighbors get together for holiday functions and barbecues.  We have the beautiful Lombardi Park close by, i... 06/24/2015

    41 Photos Status: FOR SALE Price: $749,000 Move In Ready Address: 1 Gressel Place Type: Residential Style: Single Story Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3 Suite: Yes Living Area: 2,369 square feet Year Built: 1955 More Details Virtual Tour View Rooms Request More Info | Email Listing     Description Tastefully renovated Ranch in Armonk with huge guest apartment. The home is situated on over 3 acres of level property overlooking a pond. The main house itself offers 3 bedrooms with 1.5 baths plus a new eat in kitchen with granite counters and stainless steel appliances leading to an over sized living room / dining room combo with fireplace. Door from kitchen out to large blue stone terrace in the courtyard. Full storage basement, with laundry and utility rooms, one car garage, plenty of additi... 06/05/2015

    41 Photos Status: FOR SALE Price: $749,000 Move In Ready Address: 1 Gressel Place Type: Residential Style: Single Story Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3 Suite: Yes Living Area: 2,369 square feet Year Built: 1955 More Details Virtual Tour View Rooms Request More Info | Email Listing     Description Tastefully renovated Ranch in Armonk with huge guest apartment. The home is situated on over 3 acres of level property overlooking a pond. The main house itself offers 3 bedrooms with 1.5 baths plus a new eat in kitchen with granite counters and stainless steel appliances leading to an over sized living room / dining room combo with fireplace. Door from kitchen out to large blue stone terrace in the courtyard. Full storage basement, with laundry and utility rooms, one car garage, plenty of additi... 05/31/2015

I know that everyone has written their Memorial Day posts, the weekend is over, and everyone is back to work.  Well, actually not everybody.Memorial Day was originally celebrated on May 30th until Congress made it the 4th Monday in May giving everyone a three day weekend.  The day is a solemn day to honor all those who gave their lives in of of America's wars.  Sometimes that gets lost in the 3 day holiday.The Town of Armonk thinks so.  We observe Memorial Day on May 30th.  Since that is usually a work day it means beginning the parade at 6:30pm.  This year May 30th falls on a Saturday so ceremonies will begin at 11am.Politicians from the state will be there along with Town Supervisor Michael Schiliro.  The ceremony will take place in front of the American Legion Hall on Bedford Road ne... 05/27/2015

Real Estate agents are teams of independent contractors.  But that does not mean that the team leader should let go to the point of disconnecting.  Why do you have a team in the first place--more success for all while building your brand.  An effective leader does not simply say you know what to do; if you have any questions you know where to find me.  Eveyone needs stucture.  In fact, many entrepreneurs have accountabily partners for just that purpose.  In order to have an effective team a leader needs to first put the structure and processes in place to assure the successful execution by others. In other words, an effective leader knows how to let go with confidence.  Let me share an example.I have a client who had built a very successful home services business. He did the sales and h... 05/24/2015

Armonk NY is probably best known as the home of IBM World Headquarters.  To those of us who call Armonk home it is a beautiful community in which to live and raise a family.  Although Armonk has grown since I moved here in 1988, with only 4,500 people it is a small town within a metropolitan area.  It borders on Greenwich CT and is a 40 minute train ride from midtown Manhattan.  When you ask for directions to Armonk you will be told to drive up Route 22 and turn onto Main street at the Eagle.Armonk is actually a hamlet and part of the Town of North Castle.  The town of North Includes Armonk, Banksville, and North White Plains.  You can learn more about the town at this link. Residents of Armonk send their children to the top rated Byram Hills Schools.  It seem like almost every year one... 05/13/2015

The only thing constant is change.  If you stand still you are really going backwards.  Unfortunately, people spend most of their time reacting to change.  Figuratively, they are always driving the fire truck and putting out fires.  Don't wait until you see the train coming toward you to get off the track.  Instead build a new track.  Simply put, if you want to move forward you need to anticipate and get ahead of change.Why do people resist change? Why do people continue to do the same things although they are no longer getting the results they once achieved?Understanding the reasons people resist change can help overcome the obstacles to change and create real progress. So here are four reasons why people resist change and stay in the “Land of Status Quo.” The first is FEAR. Fear is in... 05/10/2015

Hooray, Monday I hit a long term goal, that of getting a free Active Rain account.  It is funny how goal setting and goal achievement work. When my friend Debbie Gartner introduced me to Active Rain in 2011, I thought why not.  Let's see how blogging works because I want to stay ahead of the curve.  My first goal was to have a good profile with all the backlinks and then write some blogs. I wrote some articles and was more motivated when I was featured for the first time.  When I was featured it motivated me to develop some more ambitious goals including having my monthly charges reduced by hitting the first milestone.  With each 100,000 milestone the time to the next level was less as I gained momentum, engaged with lots of Active Rainers and saw the SEO benefits.My point-- set short t... 05/05/2015

Engaged teams produce successful business outcomes including a loyal customer base.  This is just as true for employees as it is for independent contractors or agents.  And this leads to increasing sales and profits. The reverse is also true. Team members who are disconnected and have no passion for what they do are frequently not fully working in the business, are careless and make mistakes, and cost the organization its customers. Understanding what engages people involves connecting with them. We can’t make a universal supposition of what engages people. Instead, we need to understand the diversity of our workforce which includes gender, culture and the different generations.  Here is some information related to employees in an organization.  It is just as valid for Real Estate Teams... 05/03/2015

Threading the needle of economic development is one of the most important things that Westchester County and local governments can do.  That was the theme of yesterday's Key Bank Speaker Series at Tappan Hill Mansion in Tarrytown, NY.County Executive Rob Astorino lead off with his vision of economic development.  Geoff Thompson, Managing Partner of Thompson & Bender, then moderated a panel which included, Dr. Marsha Gordon, President/CEO of The Business Council of Westchester; Ron Belmont, mayor of Harrison; Mary Marvin, Mayor of Bronxville; Wilson Kimball, Yonkers commissioner of Planning & Economic Development; Robert Weisz, Chairman and CEO of RPW Group; and Tim Jones, Managing Member of Robert Martin Company.One topic mentioned was the need to attrach young Millennials to the County... 04/28/2015