The language of leadership is communication – To be effective you need to ask questions and actively listen. Questions always open up doors allowing us to connect with others. The highest compliment you can give someone is asking them their opinion. Let’s be clear, none of that works if you don’t listen.
If questions unlock the door, listening keeps the door open. Listening always encourages communication to continue Questions + Listening = Quality Conversation. Quality Conversation = Quality Leadership.
If you’re a task-oriented person, connecting may be something you have to work at to achieve. If you’re a people person, building relationships may come naturally. But making the transition from relationship building to movement requires a leader shift. That “shift” is the transition from connecting with people to helping them make the changes necessary for the benefit of the team. The greatest gift a leader can give their team members is a belief in them that lets them know they are valued. It’s wonderful when the people value the leader, but it’s more wonderful when the leader values the people. How we, as leaders see others, determines how much we will invest in them. But how they see themselves determines how much they will invest in themselves. Value assessment determines investment. The value you place on yourself determines the level of your commitment to yourself and others. Self-worth is foundational to belief. The moment that your belief in yourself goes up, so can your commitment to helping yourself. If the people on your team don’t believe in themselves, as the leader, you need to try to help them find that belief. You need to encourage them.
People Capacity — Your Ability to Build Relationships
We are defined by our relationships. People can usually trace their successes and failures to the relationships in their lives. You cannot increase your people capacity unless you value people and care about them. If you don’t like people, don’t respect them and don’t believe they have value, it stands as a barrier to your success with them. You can’t secretly look down on others and build them up at the same time. However, if you value people, it shows through. And it makes the development of positive relationships possible. Put yourself in the position to meet and spend time with the right people. Use the Power of Proximity Principle, which is, “Get next to 10 people who can take you to the next level.”
There are many opportunities to connect, but it is not always easy to take our self out of the working wheel to jump out of it to learn new things. To be outstanding as leaders we need to surround ourselves with information and connections of support to be the best at what we do as leaders and to grow our companies successfully. Check out our Monthly Morning Group Sessions www.ceoresourceboard.com
No Limits
by John C. Maxwell
In No Limits, best-selling author John C. Maxwell explains how to identify, grow andapply your critical capabilities. Some capabilities are controlled by your choices like your attitudes, character and intentionality and others you already possess such as energy, creativity and leadership. Maxwell provides clear and actionable advice on how you can increase your potential in 17 core capabilities. Once you’ve blown the “cap” off your capacities, you’ll be on track to achieve success and personal growth.
