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THE WISE LEADER

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CREATIVE THINKING

If youre an executive, manager, or a team leader, you should encourage the rest of your team tothink about how things could be done better. Hearing others ideas before expressing your ownnot only encourages others to think for themselves, but it also pays off in a happier, more unifiedteam and more forward progress.

Not every new idea is a good one, of course, but some of the best ideas hatch from lesser ones.Nothing squelches creativity worse than a quick rejection, so treat each idea with respect, even if

its not exactly whatsneeded at the time.

Your greatestasset is your people,and their greatestpotential is in theircollective thinking,so encourage more

of that.Tinking outside

the box is reallyjust a new term forbeing creative. Eventhe coining of thatterm was an act ofcreativity, and its agood word picture.eam up with Meand I can help allof you to not onlythink outside the

boxbut out of thisworld!

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37FROMJESUSWITHLOVE / SUCCESSWITHPEOPLE

NEGATIVE COMPARISONS

Few things undermine a personsmorale more quickly or completely thanbeing compared negatively to someoneelse. When someone says, Why cantyou be more like Jane? or John alwaysdid it this way, all the other personhears is that he or she isnt good enough.

You may have good intentions in

making the comparison, such as tryingto motivate people to do better, but itusually has the opposite effect, leavingthem discouraged. Tey may alsobegin to resent the ones they are beingcompared with, or may dig in their

heels and refuse to change out of prideor to maintain their individuality.

You need to remember that no twopeople are the same. Even if peoplehave similar backgrounds, training, andexperience, they are different peopleand are therefore likely to handle thingsdifferently.

A good rule of thumb is to notmention others when offeringsuggestions. Instead try: You do thatwell, but I wonder if youve considereddoing it this way? Or, I know thats

the way you normally do it, but shouldwe try something new?

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HEARING OTHERS OUT

Its natural to want to have asay in things, and thats the way itshould be. I like to hear from youabout what you would like done,and many times I do what yousuggest. Tats a big part of prayeryou bring your need or wish to Me,and if I agree it is a good idea, I do

it. Tink about that the next timesomeone wants to be heard out.

For example, take that disgruntledcoworker who always seems to becomplaining about something.He just might have something

worthwhile to contribute if anyonetook him seriously. Complainingnever accomplishes anythingpositive, so obviously hes notgoing about it right, but maybethats because he thinks no one islistening. As long as hes unhappy,hell spread those feelings to others,but if you take the time to hearhim out, you just might help himget on a more positive, constructivechannel. You and the others heworks with also might be pleasantly

surprised to find that he has someideas that could benefit everyone.

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ROOM TO GROW

Nearly everyone appreciates achallenge, and most people enjoyfinding better ways to do things. Atthe same time, hardly anyone likesto always be told what to do andhow to do it. One of the quickestand best ways to get peoplescooperation is to involve them in

the decision-making process.When people feel a part of

something, they will generallywork harder and be happierand more productive. Everyorganization needs a boss at the

top that makes or approves thefinal decisions, but a good boss isnot a dictator; a good boss consultswith others and respects their ideasand opinions. Te boss may notagree and decide to veto, but atleast the others involved have hadtheir say.

When people know theirideas will be given respectfulconsideration and they are givena voice in the decision-makingprocess, they will be happier to

take orders when it comes downto that.

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PRAISE PUBLICLY,

REPROVE PRIVATELY

When a mistake is made publicly or affectsothers, it may warrant a public acknowledgmentor apology, but that doesnt mean that correctionshould be given or an apology should be made onthe spot. Its usually best to wait and correct theperson in private, after youve had a chance to askMe for My perspective.

Remember, the goal is to fix the problem, not theblame, and to help the person not repeat the samemistake. People naturally fear the consequences oftheir mistakes, but they shouldnt fear correction.Reproofs of instruction are the way of life(Proverbs 6:23). Correction is how people learn and

grow. So in giving correction, if its justified anddone right, you are doing the person a service.

For correction to have the desired effect, its alsoimportant to express faith in those who errtoassure them that you still respect them and knowthey can do better in the future. End the correction

on a positive, hopeful note. Of course, suchencouragement will be easier for others to believe ifyouve already expressed faith in them in the past, soas a foundation for any correction you may have togive, make a habit of finding the best in people andletting them and others know you admire them fortheir strong points. And who knows? Tat publicpraise may be just what is needed to keep themfrom making so many mistakes!

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SECOND CHANCES

Mistakes are humbling and discouraging, especially when others feel the repercussions. Whenpeople see how their mistakes have hurt others, they are usually sorry. Tey want to makeamends, to do better. More than ever, this is when they need to feel trustedthat someone hasfaith in them. Remember that the next time someone around you makes a mistake. If its withinyour power, look for ways to give the person a second chance.

Its diffi cult not to react negatively and make others feel bad for their mistakes, but if youstop and ask Me, I will help you take a charitable approach. It is strength, not weakness, to givepeople a second chance when they are truly sorry for their mistakes and want to do better.

Often people will succeed or fail according to the amount of faith others express in them. Ifpeople feel that others expect them to fail, they often quit short of their potential. Tey think,Whats the use? Everyone already thinks Im a failure!But if others express faith in them, even whenit involves overlooking their weak points and forgiving them for their mistakes, this encouragesthem to stretch themselves and do better. Tey will want to live up to the faith you have placedin them.