If you believe, as I do, that your employees truly are your most valuable asset, you will do whatever you can to help them do their jobs as well as possible.

Don't water your weeds.

Staying in touch with contacts is as important as getting them in the first place.

Failure is not falling down but staying down.

It's only lonely at the top if you forget all the people you met along the way and fail to acknowledge their contributions to your success.

Winners surround themselves with other winners. A winner knows he's a winner. He doesn't need second-raters and yes-men around to feed his ego. He knows he'll win more, and go further, with associates who not only can keep up with him but who also are capable of teaching him something.

Pay attention to those employees who respectfully ask why. They are demonstrating an interest in their jobs and exhibiting a curiosity that could eventually translate into leadership ability.