Little did I realize that my desire to add value to others would be the thing that added value to me.”
–John Maxwell
When people think about you, do they say to themselves, “My life is better because of that person?” The answer to that question probably answers the question of whether you are adding value to them.
Leadership requires serving others and intentionally making them feel better. For awhile, I thought that influencing people happened because I was the leader:) Looking back, I can see that my task-oriented nature created a blind spot. Thank goodness for Gina! Gina was a team member that was brave enough to tell me when my actions “sucked, and you need to apologize.” I am forever grateful for her! I’m still growing in that area.
Zig Ziglar says, “You can get everything in life you want if you help enough other people get what they want.” How do you do that? How can you turn you focus off yourself and start adding value to others?
John Maxwell gives us three ways in the book “Leadership Promises For Every Day.
- Value others first in your thinking.
People can tell when they are viewed as a priority or when they are viewed as an interruption. - Find out what others need.
Don’t assume, ask questions, get curious. - Meet that need with excellence and generosity.
Go the extra mile for people.
I’d like to add a fourth:
- Seek first to understand
We often listen with the intent to respond, fix, or persuade. Listen with the intent to understand other’s perspective. People feel valued when they are heard.
The goal isn’t always to get something from others, it’s to leave them better than you found them.
Still learning,
Jan
Jan McDonald
Maxwell Leadership Certified Team
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