Chapter 12. Leadership Is a Transfer of Belief

"It's so true," Nancy responded. "I have found throughout my life that so often the difference between success and failure is belief."

"And do you believe you can turn your company around?" Grandma asked.

Nancy paused for a few seconds. "Honestly, I don't know. I can't say that I fully believe it."

"Well, honesty is a great thing," Grandma said, "because the soup doesn't lie. If you're not putting optimism into the soup, it will reflect that back to you. You can't hide it, and your team can't hide it. You have to decide what you believe, because if you don't believe, your people won't believe."

"She's right," Peter said. "After all, great leaders share their belief, vision, and passion with others, and in the process they inspire others to believe."

He then wrote on a napkin:

Leadership Is a Transfer of Belief

"Do you know why I think beliefs are so important?" Grandma asked.

"Because of your restaurant?" Nancy said, shrugging her shoulders.

"Of course not," Grandma said, laughing. "I told you I know very little about business. I know this because as a parent, and as a grandparent, I have seen the impact by sharing my beliefs with my children and grandchildren. Whether you are leading a family or leading a company, the principle is the same. Great leaders transfer their belief to others. They are positively contagious."

Nancy knew this all too well. She had seen firsthand how ...

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