“Today Matters” Part XI – Book Review
Book Review 11 – Today Matters by John Maxwell
Relationships: I will initiate and invest in solid relationships daily, because my relationships give me fulfillment
Why relationships matter today? Because being connected to others is one of life’s greatest joys.
Life’s greatest experiences involve other people. One is too small a number to achieve greatness. All the significant accomplishments in the history of humankind have been achieved by teams of people.
You’ll enjoy life more if you like people. You will notice that people who love people usually have a ball. If you like people, then no matter where you go, you’ll meet a friend.
You’ll get farther in life if people like you. “Natural talent, intelligence, a wonderful education – none of these guarantees success. Something else is needed: the sensitivity to understand what other people want and the willingness to give it to them. Worldly success depends on pleasing others. No one is going to win fame, recognition, or advancement just because he or she thinks it’s deserved. Someone else has to this so too.” All things being equal, the likable person wins. But all things not being equal, the likable person still wins.
People are any organization’s most appreciable asset.
Making the decision to initiate and invest in solid relationships daily.
If you have one true friend in life, you are very fortunate. If you have two real friends, it is highly unusual.
Decide that “I will initiate and make an investment in relationships with others”
Place a high value on people. Let’s face it, if you don’t care about people, you are unlikely to make building good relationships a priority in your life. “You can’t make the other fellow feel important in your presence if you secretly feel that he is a nobody.” – Les Giblin Expect the best from everyone. Assume people’s motives are good unless they prove them to be otherwise.
Learn to understand people. The #1 managerial productivity problem in America is , quite simply, managers who are out of touch with heir people and out of touch with their customers
Give respect freely but expect to earn it from others. I believe every human being deserves to be treated with respect because everyone has value.
Commit yourself to adding value to others. “Carve your name on hearts and not on marble.” If you want to make relationships a priority, you must check your motives to be sure you are not trying to manipulate others for you own gain.
Managing the disciplines of relationship building.
Decide today that “Every day I make the conscious effort to deposit goodwill into my relationships with others.” That means I give more than I expect to receive, love others unconditionally, look for ways to add value to others, and bring joy to the relationships I hold dear.
Put others first. Walk slowly through the crowd, remember people’s names, smile at everyone, and be quick to offer help. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
Don’t carry emotional baggage. Few things weigh as much as old hurts and offenses carried day after day in a person’s life
Give time to your most valuable relationships. Don’t give time and attention to the squeaky wheel and leave the high performers and most important people in your life with the leftovers.
Serve others gladly. Helen Keller said “Life is an exciting business and most exciting when lived for others”
Express love and appreciation often. The best way to help people is to see the best in them. I want to encourage every person I meet. I want them to know the good I see in them.