What's love got to do with it?
Do you want to follow the example of the most successful billionaire of all time? Then love people sincerely.
This is the person who said people will know you by your love. The most memorable person taught by this master said you can have the greatest skills in the world, but if you do not love people then you have nothing.
So love has EVERYTHING to do with it. This begs the question, how can we be a role model of "love" in our organizations?
Please remember, the third strand of 3strands LEADERSHIP is Sincere Gratitude because you must value your employees in ways they prefer to create a self-motivating environment where they thrive.
1. You. It is very challenging to love others unless first you have a healthy appreciation of yourself. This is a balance of self-accountability when you make mistakes and appreciation for when you do something well. It also includes getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and maintaining a reasonable weight so you avoid the negative consequences of poor health.
LEADERS who are comfortable with themselves are less likely to make emotional decisions that negatively affect relationships.
2. Circle. Your "circle of life" includes your spouse or special friend, kids, relatives, friends, and very importantly, your mentors - formal or informal mentors. These people invest in you whenever you interact with them. Their responses and reactions to you affect your well being ("You") and your interactions with others.
What's an example of a healthy circle of life? Regular uninterrupted time with your spouse or special friend, and time interacting with your kids - without looking at your cell phone or another squawk box. Time hanging out and talking, playing games, or sharing adventures with friends. Regular time giving and receiving in mentoring relationships.
LEADERS who have a healthy circle of life die rich in relationships and alter the course of history.
3. Employees. I have interviewed hundreds of job candidates and employees for Clients. A common desire throughout the vast majority of these people is to work with people who give them respect, support, and encouragement.
Think about it: When is the last time you interviewed a job candidate who said they thrive on confrontation and can hardly wait to start arguing or abusing people in your company?
Your people want to feel you sincerely care about them, and then have your behaviors confirm you truly do. How you make them feel is much more important than what you say or do.
LEADERS who appropriately, sincerely appreciate their team members in ways they prefer (not necessarily the leaders' natural style), create connections to overcome challenges that stop others who are less loving.
4. Clients. What is the #1 thing your clients want from you? They want to trust you. Trust that you do great work for them, respond quickly, and have their best interests at heart.
Can your clients trust you if they believe you do not care about them - they are not feeling da love? No.
LEADERS who appropriately, sincerely appreciate their clients in ways they prefer (not necessarily the leaders' natural style), do better work, grow their business more rapidly, and have customers for life.
WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?
You let "stuff" eat up all your time and you do not make expressing Sincere Gratitude (that love thing...) to others.
Make the time. Living the Platinum Rule always lifts people up and makes our lives more fulfilling: Treat others the way they want to be treated. Love them with Sincere Gratitude.
P.S. In 1984 Tina Turner released a song titled, What's Love Got To Do With It. I never liked it. Still don't. Catchy rhythm, but I think the message stinks. Her song was not the inspiration for this encouragement.
SUGGESTION
Show Sincere Gratitude to your service manager, sales manager, operations manager, PARTNER, and/or other leader by signing them up for our Certified LEADER program that kicks off the week of October 5 and runs through March 2016. Help them become the leaders they were designed to be (and you want them to be)! Tell me what you want them to learn, and I will work with them to develop those habits.
