ForeclosuresMass - ForeclosuresMass Monthly - Feature Article - Are You A Corporate Mystic? (November 2006)

"If we plant a seed in the ground we know that the sun will shine and the rain will water, and we leave it to the Law to bring results...Well, the desire you image is the seed, your occasional closing of the eyes in imagery is the sun, and your constant, though not anxious, expectation is the rain and cultivation necessary to bring absolutely sure results..."

I am certain if you check the curriculum at Harvard Business School, Wharton or the London School of Economics, you won't find a course on corporate mysticism. After all, succeeding in business (real estate investing or otherwise) is a competitive, numbers driven game that relies on hard facts, financial analysis and exploitation of markets, isn't it?

What a vested interest many of us have in that belief. After all, could we actually succeed in the data-oriented world of real estate by employing our intuition; by tapping into a collective consciousness of readily available signs and guideposts to bring our intended result? Believe it or not, the evidence says yes.

* Next 37 17 investors only!

Although some of the methodologies and strategies that are taught at Harvard and other revered institutions may be good measurements of how well a company is operating, the overwhelming reason why business decisions are made by the most successful company leaders and entrepreneurs is "intuition' or "gut feelings."

Are you kidding me? Business decisions being made by "feel" rather than cold hard data? Well it certainly is a growing trend. The evidence is all around us.

Most people are familiar with the "odd stories" of Thomas Edison awakening from a nap carrying the solution to a seemingly daunting problem. Or Richard Branson "just happening" to be at the right place at the right time to make the most of a business opportunity. Quite honestly, these seemingly unrelated patterns or sequences are as natural as the sun rising every day.

So what are today's keen property investors "tapping into" that propels them from one successful deal to another with little or no resistance?

They are tapping into the collective wisdom that is readily available to everyone. In his book, The Wisdom Of Crowds (Doubleday 2004), James Surowiecki points out that this collective wisdom "has endless ramifications for how business people operate, how knowledge is advanced, how economies are organized, and how we live our daily lives."

Simply put, we all have cognitive powers that can be employed (in the very real sense) to assist us in making important business decisions. After all, how many times have you said to yourself in hindsight, "I just knew it," or "If I only listened to myself and bought that piece of property."

The powerful truth is, you often know that a deal makes sense as soon as you sit down with the homeowner... well before you go back to your office and run the necessary numbers. Most of us have strong intuitive senses about business decisions but we tend to override these senses with "rational thinking." In these situations, there's a rule of thumb I recommend: use your intuition to bring you to the decision and use data to help you execute the strategy.

This methodology has been incredibly effective for many of the world's great entrepreneurs. Steve Jobs used this strategy when launching IPod for Apple. Lee Ka-Shing stated, "Actually, I don't consider myself a good businessman." And Newsweek reported, Li's ability to "sniff out" good deals is uncanny (see also, XL Magazine Volume 2, Issue 3 2006).

There's more. In their groundbreaking book, The Corporate Mystic- A Guidebook For Visionaries With Their Feet On The Ground (Bantam 1996) Kate Ludeman, PH.D. and Gay Hendricks, PH.D. studied hundreds of entrepreneurs and business owners from companies such as Motorola, Dell and many more. Their conclusion, "If you open up to being a source of integrity, vision and intuition in your organization, you step into leadership regardless of what niche you occupy. Many people wait to be instructed or reminded to take full ownership of these powers. The Corporate Mystic knows that real power and real fun comes from being a source. When you are the source, you take full responsibility for bringing into being the corporate culture you want. Everyone can be the source, and when they think they are, they are. If you are willing to let go of your resistance to being a source, you claim a type of spiritual power that others can feel."

Does this mean I must be the "spiritual" leader of my business? Well in a sense, yes. Today, the way business is being conducted is changing rapidly; particularly for those of us who work as solo professionals. Experienced investors know that business today is all about collaboration, not competition. It's about building a network of partners, clients and others who share your vision and support your goals.

The dinosaurs of the business world were necessary. They served their purpose. But now they are going extinct. Why? The leadership in these companies forgot to be the source. They made decisions for short term profits which in itself represses intuitive and inspired action. So decide what it's going to be for you. Decide what your vision for your business is and use you intuitive capabilities to see you through.

Last, keep in mind that investing is supposed to be fun. As an entrepreneur you have one unequivocal responsibility; to increase the value of life through the delivery of your business mission. Be eternally conscious of and honor your personal spirit. Thereby you will expand opportunities for everyone you come into contact with.

John Alexandrov is an accomplished CEO, popular speaker and best selling author. As the host of Charter Communications' CEO Forum he regularly interviews CEO's of multi-million dollar companies as well as burgeoning entrepreneurs that are succeeding in today's unique economic climate. John is the founder and CEO of Legacy Capital Solutions, a Private Banking firm and has presented inspirational and motivational speeches and related presentations to over 100,000 people in the past few years. John has authored the Best Seller, Affirmations of Wealth, as well as Your Spiritual Gold Mind, and The Money Chi. Additionally, John has recorded the very successful cd series, The Exact Science Of Attracting Money. You can contact John Alexandrov via email at johna@legacycapitalsolutions.com

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