The Case For Humility: Dismissing The All-Knowing Entrepreneur

Cutthroat and Darwinian---these are standard business perspectives aided by the inevitable profit motive. These seemed to fly under Reaganomics when the whims of the free market were incontestable. But many recessions and decade-defining bankruptcies, corporate failures, and market crashes later, business analysts, if not business owners themselves, have gone soul-searching about their attitudes. They wonder if these need adjustment in an age where people are holding institutions and influential private entities accountable for their welfare.

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Today, the leadership current favors humility. No less than the academe, if the word of the new dean of Harvard Business School is anything to go by, recognizes the virtue as "an approach [to leadership] in which the starting point is our lack of knowledge." This new moral paradigm, then, is in aid of knowledge acquisition, obviously fitting for the Information Age.

The perspective also questions priorities in addressing global issues. As more citizens become conscious about lifestyle changes and sustainability, business leaders realize that margins are not necessarily end game. Corporate branding now emphasizes a good-natured image rather than an efficient and imposing one. Thus, consumers have been capable of taking to task even the biggest multinationals and financial institutions previously thought unsinkable. Meanwhile, they support businesses that listen to their needs.

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They are also more receptive to companies with visions for humanity. The exploration of new frontiers, whether they be other planets or new sources of clean energy, represents one of the most powerful business strategies today on which the most rigorous and humblest leaders must capitalize. Before leaders can dip their hands into new ideas for entrepreneurial success, they must first lend an ear patiently to consumers before they self-consciously dig deep into their perceived inner genius.

Adam Rosenfeld is a young wealth advisor who ranked 20th on the ‘Top 40 Under 40’ advisors list in On Wall Street Magazine. For more business insights, subscribe to this blog.

Philanthropy and business: Do they work well together?

Philanthropy plays a big part in the operations of big companies. Many multinational corporations undertake humanitarian causes, and the total cost of these endeavors are in the billions. The trend is going up, which means that the companies have been increasing their giving to aid those in need.

The money deducted from employees’ monthly salaries comprise a huge percentage of the donations. This boosts a company’s image since it shows how much more charitable a company is – when the employees themselves are willing to contribute to a cause. And since a company’s image experiences a makeover, it does wonders for marketing and the business as a whole.

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Still sticking to philanthropy and large companies’ employees – it was found that employees would prefer to help out more if they are familiar with the charity, or the cause, and if there are no restrictions whatsoever on the opportunities when it comes to donating. Nowadays, those restrictions have little by little been eliminated by technology since the internet provides a lot of avenues by which companies can help charities.

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The existence of skeptics and cynics cannot be avoided, though. A lot of people still question the sincerity of corporate philanthropy. Businesses, after all, are capitalist in nature, and without a doubt, companies get something in return after giving to a cause. They would be crazy not to. This calls companies’ motives in question. But the more important question would be: would the world rather not have companies help out on important causes at all?

Adam Rosenfeld, who heads The Rosenfeld Group, is one of the most trusted financial advisors in the United States. Learn more about him and his firm by visiting this LinkedIn profile.

The Role Of Good Leadership In Business

“If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

For a business to achieve success, everyone in the organization – from the management to the staff – needs to be productive in doing the roles assigned to him. This is where good leadership comes in. Business goals can be met with effective leadership practices, while weak leadership can jeopardize the health of the business.

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It is the business owners who set the tone for the organization. Using policies and guidelines, they should be able to show employees how they are to do their jobs – efficiently and effectively. As leaders, they are tasked to provide everyone meaningful guidance.

Leaders not only guide but should also be able to motivate and inspire employees to work hard and smart, meeting what the organization needs from them. There are various ways to give motivation: through economic and non-economic incentives.

Another factor that fosters employee productivity is a positive environment, which boosts morale. A leader must create an atmosphere that encourages every team member to willingly cooperate in performing his responsibilities to the best of his abilities.

Furthermore, it is also critical that leaders themselves be action-oriented, crafting goal-based strategies and tactics with the mapped course of actions that everyone needs to follow.

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Adam Rosenfeld runs The Rosenfeld Group, where he and his team serve an elite group of ultra-high-net-worth individuals, businessmen, and families by offering them sound financial guidance. For more business articles, subscribe to this blog.

Nonverbal Communication Tips For The Business Manager

Nonverbal communication plays a huge role in the workplace, as the master of this knows how effective it can be in getting things done. The greatest leaders in the world have exemplary nonverbal skill sets that managers can emulate.

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Smile often

A smile can communicate a dozen things where words might fail miserably. A real genuine smile can melt even the hardest of hearts. A smile can tell the other person to lower his or her expectations. When coupled with the right words, a smile never fails to give a lasting impression. The genius of a smile is that it can pretty much communicate anything, even anger or disgust.

Stand tall

It is a very reptilian behavior to “inflate” the torso to improve one’s general image a boost. Evolution had it so that humans have retained this somewhat. This is why posture is a very powerful communication tool. It pays a lot to engage people with a good posture that exudes confidence, credibility, and professionalism, and nothing does this better than standing tall.

Dress appropriately 

This is probably a piece of advice that can never be emphasized often enough. What you wear to work or when you’re out in the field on a client call is a strong statement that precedes your whole person. Dressing formally enough is like saying I am here to do serious business, and I respect you as much. Knowing this well easily gives you a gauge of the level of dressing up that is just right for the occasion.

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Adam Rosenfeld is a leader through and through. He is currently the head of The Rosenfeld Group, which provides financial services to individuals who are considered ultra-high-net-worth. For more business articles, follow this Twitter account.