FIVE QUESTIONS LEADERS NEED TO ASK (OF THEMSELVES)
Question 5
Question 5
Who are the people that I will engage the most?
In answering the first four questions, you likely came to
realize that your ability to get anything done is dependent on your
relationships. Your legacy and delivering your gift requires you to pay close
attention to whom you engage and how you do it. Your success depends on
engaging those people that will support, help, and contribute to it, as well as
those that will benefit from your gift. It never ceases to captivate my
attention when someone is intentional in not only who they choose to engage,
rather they pay even more attention to how they do it. That is, how they treat
and influence people with mutual respect.
There’s a great deal of advice available on how to network,
with whom to network, and how to influence others to get what you want. No
doubt, the market for such advice would not exist if there was not a tremendous
interest and need for it. It covers all the possibilities from how to engage
our families and friends, to building relationships in your community, to how
to influence people we work and do business with. These include coworkers,
bosses, peers, and customers (just to name a few). Of course, with the increased
span of relationships offered through social media, the possibilities appear
almost endless.
It may serve us best to first consider what our legacy will
be and that not only is it important to identify whom to engage. It is just as
important to recognize how to best engage them to build the trusting
relationships necessary for trust, mutual respect, and true mutual benefit.
After all, your legacy is defined by your relationships and it is through your
relationships that you get things done.
One of the most difficult aspects of knowing whom to engage
the most can be based on a number of factors. The most often identified themes
of managing relationships are knowing who to say “yes” and “no” to and knowing how
to ask for help when you need it most. One condition is certain, we have
limited time and so we must be very aware of who we choose to engage with, as
well as why and how. To help you in making decisions as to whom to engage and
share your time with, I am offering four categories of people to engage with:
1.
People
with Influence: This is often the first group we recognize and include people
in positions that can effect access to resources and through their connections,
influence others to provide assets and means allowing you to get things done.
This includes connectivity to decision makers and those in positions of key
influence.
2.
People
Willing to Help. This includes not only the people that are willing to
directly contribute by way of time and resources, this also encompasses those
that are willing to share information, knowledge, feedback, and the know-how
required to get things done. It’s great to have forthright mentors and coaches
willing to give you what is often the most difficult thing to ask for…
feedback. Let’s face it, it’s not always easy to find those willing to share
their truth and give you candid observations and insights. Whether you perceive
it as positive or negative, the person that gives you the gift of honesty is
often the one you may want to engage more. When you find them, I suggest
keeping them by engaging them often.
3.
People of
Passion. There is a great deal of value in engaging people with the same passion
for the gift you have to offer and love what you’re about. Quite simply,
emotion is everything and whatever your purpose is, finding those with a shared
passion and mission is invaluable. Commitment is about keeping promises. When
so much of our conversation is about accountability, it may serve you better to
find those committed to your purpose and not spend too much time with those not
on board. Shared passion is a wonderful source of commitment and we naturally
attract those who align with our true intention.
4.
People You
Are in Service To. The recipients of your gift and those affected by your
purpose are key to your success. Listen carefully to what they can offer you
and in particular, what they have to say. Pay attention to what they think,
feel and see, and you will benefit. They will often take on the role of being
your best advocates and supporters, and actively engaging to help you create
the greatest return for your time and energy, and theirs. That being said, keep
in mind that to be able to give a gift, someone must be willing to receive it.
It’s a matter of generosity and the influence you gain by your giving of it.
I’m certain that you can come up with other ideas and ways to define those with whom we can consider engaging. You are welcome to share them and to take part in the conversation (www.edgarpapke.com). The bottom line is that you don’t get anything done by yourself. This is a truth we all share. Globally, we are all part of an interdependent community, allowing us the opportunity to deliver our unique gift to the world and pursue our aspirations and dreams.