If it's not broken, don't fix it! Too often I'm happy with the ways I've always done things. I'm usually proactive in my approach to business but my ways of doing things are often rooted in tradition...mine!
On the DISC behavioral profile, I'm a high D and a high C, i.e., highly dominate and highly compliant (rules oriented). Once I adopt a way of doing a thing, I frequently repeat the behavior routinely without thinking. This is both good and not so good.
My behavioral style is good because I make decisions easily and accomplish tasks quickly. It's not so good because I'm often insensitive to the thoughts and needs of others. In other words, they way I've always done things works for me but it may not work for others. My ways may even hurt or offend others.
Good interpersonal skills will always put the needs of other persons first. This requires us to step out of our normal behavior patterns and to become "others centered." To become more effective leaders, we need to think about the needs and objectives of others before we act or speak. When we approach our jobs and relationships in this way, our old ways will rarely impair our success. What do you think?
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
The Other Person's Point of View
In previous blogs, we've discussed how a person's heart motives, life experiences and learned behaviors affect their ethics and decision-making. Generally, we decide to do what we think is right. We see and interpret facts and circumstances through rose-colored glasses, so to speak.
When my wife and I have had differences of opinion (there have been more than a few!), she has said that we're just looking at different ends of an elephant. You remember the analogy: Several sight-impaired persons holding on to different parts of an elephant (a leg, its tail, its trunk, an ear, etc.) each saw the elephant differently. Same elephant but different views. Our personal views are often derived from what we're holding on to!
I recently found my self in a conflict with a counter party to a contract. In fact, the other party terminated the contract because they believed I had violated its terms. I believed, on the other hand, that I had been careful not to violate the contract terms. After a day or so, I realized that my evaluation of compliance had been solely from my point of view. Looking at the situation from the point of view of the other party, I could see where my behavior could be considered a violation of terms. It was not my intent to violate the terms but I could see from the other person's view how I did.
I felt badly that I had made a serious mistake. Unfortunately, there was no chance to repair the damage. In these situations we can either get mad, sad or glad. I've decided to be glad for the increase in wisdom this situation has provided me! Sometimes we have to learn ethical behavior the hard way! Post a comment and share your learning experiences.
When my wife and I have had differences of opinion (there have been more than a few!), she has said that we're just looking at different ends of an elephant. You remember the analogy: Several sight-impaired persons holding on to different parts of an elephant (a leg, its tail, its trunk, an ear, etc.) each saw the elephant differently. Same elephant but different views. Our personal views are often derived from what we're holding on to!
I recently found my self in a conflict with a counter party to a contract. In fact, the other party terminated the contract because they believed I had violated its terms. I believed, on the other hand, that I had been careful not to violate the contract terms. After a day or so, I realized that my evaluation of compliance had been solely from my point of view. Looking at the situation from the point of view of the other party, I could see where my behavior could be considered a violation of terms. It was not my intent to violate the terms but I could see from the other person's view how I did.
I felt badly that I had made a serious mistake. Unfortunately, there was no chance to repair the damage. In these situations we can either get mad, sad or glad. I've decided to be glad for the increase in wisdom this situation has provided me! Sometimes we have to learn ethical behavior the hard way! Post a comment and share your learning experiences.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
The Trust Factor of Leadership
In his book entitled, "Becoming a Leader, Dr. Miles Munroe discusses many essential characteristics of a true leader. In chapter 3, page 39, Dr. Munroe addresses the trust factor:
"Integrity is the basis of trust which is a product of leadership. It is the one quality that cannot be acquired; it must be earned. It is given by co-workers and followers and without it, the leader cannot function. 'Trust is the product of time and integrity."
Leaders are individuals whose characters have been tested, proven and established as being faithful and trustworthy. Trustworthiness is a product of character and competence, that is who you are and what you can do. Trustworthiness is the foundation of trust. To become an effective leader you must earn the trust and confidence of others."
How often we hear a politician, a CEO, preacher or a president say, "Trust me." The Bible tells us we are to evaluate leaders by their fruit, the results of their behavior. TALK IS CHEAP! At this time in society when people call good evil and evil good, we must follow the true leaders. We can forgive the faults of our leaders, but our trust must be earned. Anybody rated high on your scorecard today? Tell us about that person!
"Integrity is the basis of trust which is a product of leadership. It is the one quality that cannot be acquired; it must be earned. It is given by co-workers and followers and without it, the leader cannot function. 'Trust is the product of time and integrity."
Leaders are individuals whose characters have been tested, proven and established as being faithful and trustworthy. Trustworthiness is a product of character and competence, that is who you are and what you can do. Trustworthiness is the foundation of trust. To become an effective leader you must earn the trust and confidence of others."
How often we hear a politician, a CEO, preacher or a president say, "Trust me." The Bible tells us we are to evaluate leaders by their fruit, the results of their behavior. TALK IS CHEAP! At this time in society when people call good evil and evil good, we must follow the true leaders. We can forgive the faults of our leaders, but our trust must be earned. Anybody rated high on your scorecard today? Tell us about that person!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Whose Report Do We Believe?
As bystanders to the political debate over health care, whose words do we accept as true? A barrage of disingenuous television ads, newspaper articles and unsolicited emails attempt to sway us to a person's or a party's way of thinking. Misinformation, claims without supporting facts and blatant lies cloud a clear understanding of the facts. How do we know who is telling the truth and who isn't?
Biblical principles tell us to judge a person by their fruit, whether it's good or it's bad. In some cases, that is easy; in others, it's not! In politics, most fruit is hybrid. As it grew from a pure blossom to eatable fruit, it was contaminated by compromise, personal agendas and even corruption. In fact, one might conclude there is no longer any such thing as good political fruit!
I'm going out on a limb to submit there is only one valid set of standards to measure the words of another. Those are the standards of the creator of heaven, earth and all that is within them. I'm sure some will say, "I don't believe in God." To them I'd respond, it doesn't matter what you believe about God.
While documented in the Holy Bible, the life of person Jesus the Nazarene was also documented by many Jewish historians that lived during his time. To born-again Christians, Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, Lord and Savior of their lives. He lived his life to demonstrate God's principles of truth. Whether or not one believes in God, the life and behavior of the historical Jesus demonstrates standards of right living. His life demonstrates truth and is the only absolute standard one can use to determine truth.
So, here it is. If any person, government official, politician, news reporter, corporate leader, president, congressperson, senator, preacher, friend or foe, speaks words or takes actions that are contrary to the documented life of Jesus, they are not truth and should not be accepted or tolerated. In a court of law, a witness is required to swear his/her testimony is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help them God! Anything short of that is a lie, spoken by a liar! Whose report will you believe?
Biblical principles tell us to judge a person by their fruit, whether it's good or it's bad. In some cases, that is easy; in others, it's not! In politics, most fruit is hybrid. As it grew from a pure blossom to eatable fruit, it was contaminated by compromise, personal agendas and even corruption. In fact, one might conclude there is no longer any such thing as good political fruit!
I'm going out on a limb to submit there is only one valid set of standards to measure the words of another. Those are the standards of the creator of heaven, earth and all that is within them. I'm sure some will say, "I don't believe in God." To them I'd respond, it doesn't matter what you believe about God.
While documented in the Holy Bible, the life of person Jesus the Nazarene was also documented by many Jewish historians that lived during his time. To born-again Christians, Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, Lord and Savior of their lives. He lived his life to demonstrate God's principles of truth. Whether or not one believes in God, the life and behavior of the historical Jesus demonstrates standards of right living. His life demonstrates truth and is the only absolute standard one can use to determine truth.
So, here it is. If any person, government official, politician, news reporter, corporate leader, president, congressperson, senator, preacher, friend or foe, speaks words or takes actions that are contrary to the documented life of Jesus, they are not truth and should not be accepted or tolerated. In a court of law, a witness is required to swear his/her testimony is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help them God! Anything short of that is a lie, spoken by a liar! Whose report will you believe?
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