Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Proverbs 2:2 (NLT)
Do you wish you had more influence with certain people?
Over the past few days, we’ve been discussing relationship keys that are essential when it comes to influencing and leading others. As the popular saying goes, people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. In other words, influence is often built through relationship.
According to Tom Marshall’s book, Understanding Leadership, there are four building blocks to relationship, and so far we’ve covered the first three: trust, care and respect.
Trust is the most fragile of the four. Whether you are leading people you love (like your kids) or your team members at work, they need to be able to trust you before they will follow you. They also need to know that you care—that you really do have their best interests at heart.
Respect is also key. We often forget to show people how much we value them and how proud we are of what they’ve accomplished. It’s amazing how people are drawn toward those who sincerely value what they bring to the table.
Today we will cover the fourth building block: mutual understanding. Mutual understanding takes the longest of all of the building blocks to develop.
You can make it a priority to try to understand others’ perspectives. Start by repeating back what people say to you for clarification. Take the time to really understand and listen.
People are always worth every drop of time and effort you put into them. Never forget that they are valuable. It is an honour and a privilege to influence them to be all they can be and, through Christ, you’re empowered to do it well.