I heard is said recently that a leader is a dealer of hope. And the key to hope is vision. Building a vision of hope for the future is what leaders do. May I also add, they do it confidently.
In the midst of challenges, adversity and despair, leaders, you, are required to identify and communicate a vision of hope for the future for those around you be it business, home and community.
A friend of mine the other day, who happens to be an office manager for a dental office, told me she hates old people. Now I know she didn’t really mean that. I interpreted her comments to suggest that old people frustrate her.
The office she manages happens to be in a part of Phoenix referred to as Sun City. It’s a retirement community that only allows residents 55 and older. Their primary patients are folks that live in that community.
“Why do you hate old people?” I asked.
“It’s the way they talk to my staff and I. They constantly put us down, yell and attack us.”
“Are you doing a bad job?” I asked.
“No, that’s just it, we bend over backwards for them. They just treat us like dirt.”
So in other words, they don’t honor or treat you and your staff with dignity and respect?
“That’s it exactly,” she replied.
In order to be effective at working with others we need to treat people with dignity, honor and respect. We have to have an appreciation for who they are. For example, when we call people names, whether publically or privately, put them down, or criticize them personally, we are not treating them with respect. We are essentially tearing down bridges and causing division among people.
Let’s face it. Our society has become so accustom to this behavior we hardly even notice it any more. Side conversations putting down other people happen all the time and it’s ok. Well it’s not ok.
So how do we change this? I believe it begins with awareness and making a commitment that we are going to look for way to say and think positively about others. To look for the good in them. To make sure we are building them up rather than tearing them down.
Listening is a critical skill necessary to effective social interaction. Quality listening is actually a byproduct of demonstrating an interest in other people and putting aside your own agenda.
Let’s face it, we live very busy lives. Sometimes we are too busy. We are focused on getting results. Getting things done. That’s fine. But fact is sometimes we get so caught up in OUR AGENDA, we don’t take time to listen and demonstrate an interest in other people.
So what is the action step associated with improving this skill. It begins with awareness that you might be engaged in a conversation with another person and your mind is focused on OTHER THINGS. When you are not INTO listening the you have 2 options.
Option #1 is that you make a conscious choice to stop and actively listen to the person you are engaged in a conversation, putting aside your own agenda for a moment or…
Option #2 kindly explain that you would like to talk with them and want to give them your full attention. Then set up a time when you can talk and LISTEN.
Speaking with a client today, the founder of a nonprofit, private school, our conversation turned to the importance of developing social skills in children. Granted, academics are vital to success and future opportunities, but let’s face it, the biggest challenges we tend to deal with in life have to do with how we relate and deal with other people. Our social skills so to speak.
Consider the last time you had to deal with an employee because they had poor math or reading skills. Now consider the last time, perhaps today, you had to resolve a conflict between two people because they don’t seem to get along.
This week, I will present some ideas and tools, and perhaps a system, that will help you develop a more “social, people friendly environment.”
Businesses have been successful or let’s say survived in spite of themselves. Well we don’t have the luxury anymore of relying solely on our talent and good luck.
Just because you have a natural talent for selling doesn’t mean you have the skills to manage and lead people, deal with finances of the business etc.
Just because you are good with numbers again doesn’t mean you will be successful in dealing with the competition and market your business effectively.
We can no longer rely on talent and good luck. We have to know HOW to run a business successful and intentionally.
Ask 100 business owners their opinion on HOW to run a business and you will likely get 100 answers.
Interestingly, if you listen carefully to the 100 answers you will discover a common thread among them.
Check back to my next posting as I reveal the 7 most important things every business must do to ensure and maximize their success.
