“The only girl in the world" (Got your attention huh?!)
I’m not promoting Rihanna - lol. Really, as I considering a topic this week the song came on the radio - yes, I've got teens that have "jacked" car my radio! I monitor it though :) Anyway ... it’s a great concept and reality. Ladies, you know it ... men, we better get it! However, in the world of leadership, the principle is paramount. The people you lead have to know that they matter. What they do, what they accomplish, how they feel, how much they have achieved, etc. This of course has to be genuinely felt. If it’s not they WILL KNOW … and LET YOU KNOW! The important thing is that you understand everyone’s need for validation, fairness, guidance and integrity. The wise leader will take these notions to heart. Solomon says in the book of Proverbs 11:3 “The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.” He says in Proverbs 18:13 "He who answers before listening — that is his folly and his shame." Also in Proverbs 28:21 “To have respect of persons is not good …” Again in Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Lastly he says in Proverbs 16:23 “A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.” These and many, many more speak to the wisdom a leader so desperately needs. A leader (in the home, church, or organization) must among other things be a disseminator of knowledge i.e. give people what they need to succeed. In doing this you make them feel that they matter. When people know without a doubt that they matter – and not just lip service – they will begin to live out their purpose for being in the group! In the home and church, where young people are concerned; if your only dealings with them are to constantly shine a negative light on their doings, they will cower, shrink, and disappear. Part of making sure people matter is simply telling them! Withholding your praise will only make matters worse. Let people hear from you that they matter … that you care what happens in their lives … that you are excited about their progress and achievements. When they do a good thing, let them know (even if it’s half way right). When Peter expressed his personal growth in his proclamation that Jesus was the “Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16), Jesus was excited that Peter opened his mind to the Father above and received the truth of who He was. He was heard to say “Blessed are you!” I’m sure Peter felt pretty good at that moment. (Wouldn’t you?) John C. Maxwell calls this “The Law of Connection”. You have to connect with people before you can lead, confront, discipline, or challenge them. People will gladly spend and be spent with a group where they know they are appreciated. If the connection is not there, you will fail every time and instead of your follower, child, spouse, group, etc knowing for sure that they matter, the suspense may drive them wild and they will begin to rebel, complain, or worse, “hit the road”. If God has placed you in a leadership function, always to “Make them feel, like they’re the only ones in the world”! So, I’ll give it to the pop star this time, she made me think!
I’m not promoting Rihanna - lol. Really, as I considering a topic this week the song came on the radio - yes, I've got teens that have "jacked" car my radio! I monitor it though :) Anyway ... it’s a great concept and reality. Ladies, you know it ... men, we better get it! However, in the world of leadership, the principle is paramount. The people you lead have to know that they matter. What they do, what they accomplish, how they feel, how much they have achieved, etc. This of course has to be genuinely felt. If it’s not they WILL KNOW … and LET YOU KNOW! The important thing is that you understand everyone’s need for validation, fairness, guidance and integrity. The wise leader will take these notions to heart. Solomon says in the book of Proverbs 11:3 “The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.” He says in Proverbs 18:13 "He who answers before listening — that is his folly and his shame." Also in Proverbs 28:21 “To have respect of persons is not good …” Again in Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Lastly he says in Proverbs 16:23 “A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.” These and many, many more speak to the wisdom a leader so desperately needs. A leader (in the home, church, or organization) must among other things be a disseminator of knowledge i.e. give people what they need to succeed. In doing this you make them feel that they matter. When people know without a doubt that they matter – and not just lip service – they will begin to live out their purpose for being in the group! In the home and church, where young people are concerned; if your only dealings with them are to constantly shine a negative light on their doings, they will cower, shrink, and disappear. Part of making sure people matter is simply telling them! Withholding your praise will only make matters worse. Let people hear from you that they matter … that you care what happens in their lives … that you are excited about their progress and achievements. When they do a good thing, let them know (even if it’s half way right). When Peter expressed his personal growth in his proclamation that Jesus was the “Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16), Jesus was excited that Peter opened his mind to the Father above and received the truth of who He was. He was heard to say “Blessed are you!” I’m sure Peter felt pretty good at that moment. (Wouldn’t you?) John C. Maxwell calls this “The Law of Connection”. You have to connect with people before you can lead, confront, discipline, or challenge them. People will gladly spend and be spent with a group where they know they are appreciated. If the connection is not there, you will fail every time and instead of your follower, child, spouse, group, etc knowing for sure that they matter, the suspense may drive them wild and they will begin to rebel, complain, or worse, “hit the road”. If God has placed you in a leadership function, always to “Make them feel, like they’re the only ones in the world”! So, I’ll give it to the pop star this time, she made me think!
Now you have the CLUE!
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