“Connecting is the ability to identify with people and relate to them in a way that increases your influence with them.” John Maxwell

When I had my first leadership position, I definitely didn’t understand this principle! I thought it was my job to get results and if an employee was trying to talk to me about something that didn’t apply to what I was working on, I considered in an interruption.

The more I’ve worked with hundreds of new and inexperienced leaders, the more I understand that I wasn’t alone in this! And maybe that’s you, too. The reality is, if we put people first and increase our connecting abilities, we will get more of the results we are looking for!

How do we do this? Well, first of all, that question can’t be answered in totality with a blog post! I’ve created several courses and classes that speak to this topic. As a matter of fact, our Empowered Leaders Membership Group focuses on this principle every month in...

“Let us not refuse the help, happiness, and joy that others may bring us, or that we can give to others.” Maxwell Maltz

The Law of Reciprocity says if you give something to someone, they will be inclined to give you something back. So, what id we all chose to give help, happiness, and joy? What would our world look like? And how do you do that with difficult and challenging people?

I experienced that this week! I interacted with a challenging person. She wasn’t trying to give me help, happiness, or joy. She was operating out of her own fear and belief in her process, and unable to take in a new idea. Know anyone like that?

My overall motivation in life is to help people see their own awesomeness and to grow. When someone chooses to discount both of those things, they won't’ last long around me!

I didn’t need to be defensive or criticize or change what I was doing for her. I am secure in who I am as a person. However, I DID need to show help, happiness,...

“Any situation or circumstance is a chance to teach others what YOU are and what THEY are to you.” Anonymous

If you run a weekly staff meeting and it always starts 5 minutes late, what are you communicating? You may be communicating that you are disorganized and your people’s time isn’t valuable.

If you ‘stand on principles’ during the customer service process and don’t serve well, what do you communicate? You may be communicating that the most important person in this is YOU and the customer isn’t important- nor their business.

If you struggle to make decisions for and with your people in a challenging situation, what are you communicating? You may be communicating your insecurities and that they need to lead themselves.

See, EVERY situation is an opportunity to show people who you are as a leader AND to help them see what you believe about them. How well are you communicating what you really desire? Are you in alignment and...