Monday, December 5, 2011

It’s all about relationships


We should all be able to agree on this. Whether at home, in business, at church or at school, relationships matter. We were designed to be in relationships from the very beginning. The interesting thing is few of us are and most assume the opposite. We may have some form of relationship that resembles more of the “acquaintance” type or “co- worker” flow but true relationships are harder to find. We are not designed to go through life alone. We must have a support network that isn’t judgmental and will stand with us regardless of the opinion polls.

For those of you in leadership, don’t assume that your team has a support network in place. Chances are they don’t and won’t burden you by sharing this. The only way to know for sure is to invest in your people. By investing, I’m talking one on one time in a neutral environment (not your office).  Find out about their family, personal interests, professional goals and most important, their dreams. You may have the chance to help launch a dream that changes the planet all by having a coffee with somebody. Oh, and one more thing, give them your undivided attention and PUT THE PHONE AWAY!! “It” can wait.  Please don’t have one meeting and call it done, this needs to be an ongoing commitment and you will see fruit, I promise. Once people are sown into, it is natural for them to sow into others, but it has to start somewhere.

We can all remember that person, who took us under their wing, invested in us and helped shape us into who we are today. We need to be doing the same for others. It won’t be hard to find a handful of those who you can influence to chase the dream that is inside of them. Leadership is defined as the ability to influence, nothing more, nothing less. Everybody is a leader so help others to reach their full potential.

Leading leaders will result in explosive growth and multiplication that will promote followers to become leaders. This is the ultimate goal. Nobody wants to raise up spectators, we want and need leaders.


Chris