Love People Or Forget Leadership

I think everyone should go to college and get a degree and then spend six months as a bartender and six months as a cabdriver. Then they would really be educated. ~ Al McGuire ~ 

As a leader, it is necessary to be competent at your profession and you should understand your chosen industry.  More important, however, is your knowledge of people.   As you become a leader the most important skills are your inter-personal ones.   No matter your profession, the minute you become a supervisor, people become your number one focus - not your craft.  If you are uncomfortable with people then you will never be a good leader.  Spend your time honing your people skills and less time improving your craft.  You must love people in order to succeed - since supervising others is your number one function as a leader.

1. Close your eyes
2. Breathe
3. Empty your mind
4. As thoughts come in, acknowledge and whisk them away
5. Focus on your breathing
6. Think about the affirmation:

I love working with people.

Learn to Like People

“Nobody will listen to you unless they sense that you like them.” ~ Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz ~

Leading is a people job.  If you want people to listen to you, learn to like people.  True, you won't like everyone in this world but try to remember that everyone has value.  Those that you lead - especially.  They know if you don't like them and there is not a chance that they will ever buy in to you, much less listen to you, unless you can get to a place in which you like them.  Study them.  List out the reasons you don't like them and figure out how those things can actually be a strength to your team, division, or organization.  Those things that annoy you just might actually be the difference maker...in a postive way.  True leaders see the beauty even in the flawed.

1. Close your eyes
2. Breathe
3. Empty your mind
4. As thoughts come in, acknowledge and whisk them away
5. Focus on your breathing
6. Think about the affirmation:

I will find value in all people.

Find Happiness Within Yourself

Don't let your happiness depend on something you may lose. ~ C.S. Lewis

Jobs may come and go.  People will come into your life and may leave.  Things can break, fall apart or become uninteresting.  You, however, are with yourself forever.  It's a common saying about leadership in that it is "lonely at the top."  If you are at peace with yourself and you are happy with yourself, then you will never be lonely.  Enjoying the company of others is not the same as needing others for fulfillment.  Seek to be with others but do not depend on them for your own mental health.  Be with yourself and find contentment with your life journey.

1. Close your eyes
2. Breathe
3. Empty your mind
4. As thoughts come in, acknowledge and whisk them away
5. Focus on your breathing
6. Think about the affirmation:

"I will find the happiness I need within myself."