YOUnique: Understanding Others by Understanding You

I think this is one of the many things that we need to know while on earth. We need to know ourselves more than we know others. (The latter sounds familiar, isn't it?)

Have you thought about why people are different? Why leaders should find people who can COMPLEMENT their weaknesses rather hire individuals who just follow instructions? We all have unique personality. We are created with diversity. There's no two persons who think, act and speak the same way.

Jayson Lo's book, YOUnique, mentioned that if you have many people problems, think about this possibility, are all these people really the problem, or could the problem be...you?

You need to understand yourself first so you can understand others better. Simply, know who you are and your personality and understand that other people are not like you.

May take-away from this book can be summed up in the principle of Personality Envy and Personality Denial. That, we should avoid them.

Personality Envy is vying to have the gifts of another person. We should be thankful for our talents. We just don't know that there might be a number of people who know us and envy us for what we have.

Personality Denial is not accepting who you are and what God has given you. We can't live pretending who we are not. Our true self will be revealed at the most perfect time and it could be a painful experience. We'll only end up frustrated and disappointed.

Let's know our personality and focus on our strengths.

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YOUnique by Jason Lo is available in all major bookstores nationwide. Oh, why don't you buy this as gift for Christmas? Call CSM Publishing at 852 7301 and reserve now. It's only Php 375.00 per copy. :)

If you are a leader...

The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.

—Max DePree

The first thing you should do is communicate what you want, where to go, how to do it and predict the outcome. Many team players are lost, not just in translation, but direction. Of course, aim something that is achievable.

Then, while you are working with your team, be a servant. Offer a snack. Brew coffee. Tap them on the shoulders and commend them for working hard. Ask if there are things that you need to clarify. Don't wait till your staff mess up. Guide them and give concrete instructions.

Lastly, THANK the team. It shows that leaders can't do ALL THE WORK on their own. Every member of the team has valuable contribution. JUST THANK THEM.

Then, celebrate for job well done.

Leadership Value

Only the people around you can say how you have influenced them. They have the right to tell others what kind of value you have deposited in them, not anyone else.

Let's talk about leadership value.

When 5 or more people spread your mess in the room, there must be something wrong with you. The first person you should ask about your leadership is yourself. Some may think it's crazy but only those who lead with integrity do this. Then, with humility, ask the person whom you can trust about your performance as a leader.

Leaders must learn to listen more, act more and talk less. Your staffs are human, not robot. Their 5 senses are active. So, treat them as you want to be treated. When they feel that you value them, you will earn their respect. That's what (your) money can't buy.

Lead others as you lead yourself. But, don't forget to put quality to your followers. You are responsible for their growth. Before you blame them for their mistakes, evaluate first if you have led them correctly.

Better question our leadership if we don't see our flock flying high. 2 things: We might be losing our focus and we are going to fail as a leader.

Fix things up. Give value to your followers and let them grow in quality and quantity. Leaders, don't promise to make your followers happy. Just make them excited about their growth.

Like Jesus, the all time great leader and King. When heaven was waiting for Him, he left His disciples something they should be excited about, not the suffering they should endure...

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8 NIV)

The value Jesus poured on His disciples exceeded at all aspects of life- spiritual, emotional and physical. Until death, His true followers were faithful.

Followers? Anyone???

I'm curious about people who wanted to be leaders but despise being the follower. And, I'm troubled with people who don't want to be a leader because they fear responsibilities and commitment. Have you ever met somebody who's telling you what you should do but didn't show you how? He's cool! Just imagine a ball coach who can't shoot while telling his guys not to miss a free throw? That's unbelievable. He must be the son of the team manager or owner.

We can't pass on to others what we don't have. It won't work that way. The moment we gain the experience, then we become credible to tell others the mess we did or the triumph we achieved. Great leaders emanate from their past victories over struggles. After all, they won't be great if they have surpassed easy jobs.

Those footmarks we leave become the trail of those who follow us. When we look behind and see there's none who wants to be like us, it could be a question to the quality of life we offer to this world. I mean, there's no room for hungry learners because they are always out to look for someone they wanted to be like. Just like me. I look for people who became successful not because they inherited the success but strove to meet the peak. Thankful that I am, I can't count them in my fingers. I'd like to listen to those who were once "the ordinary" with an extraordinary heart to serve men, not just to earn profits and recognitions.

It's so inspiring to meet people from all walks of life but let us examine those we follow. The two are both both accountable- the leader and the follower. Don't forget that. Leaders must produce alike. Followers must become leaders too. Followers will never come to extinction, only leaders.