People Watching

Have you ever taken the time to just watch people?
Not in a creepy, stalking sort of way ... gross.
But just watch them?
It's interesting.

I've been listening to this book by John Maxwell called the 360 degree leader.
I have been watching lately and some things I see are scary, others are cool, interesting and yet some are painful.

Most of us would think that a leader is confidant, doesn't admit their weakeness, are on the top, in the know, and so on. Did you know that there are many good leaders, great leaders in fact, that admit their faults, ask others to identify their weaknesses, aren't afraid of their weaknesses, and aren't afraid of others pointing them out? Did you know they welcome change, new ideas and are not upset when their ideas aren't talked about? Why? Well, because it's not the leader who wins, it's the best idea who wins. If the idea is great, then the whole team will be great; including the leader.

Did you know that good leaders are humble not prideful? They are willing to take the back seat to others; give the glory to others. They are willing to make sacrifices for the greater good of the team. Did you know that good leaders listen? Yes, they listen. They will actually take into account what others say to them; whether it's for improvement of themselves or others or the team. Did you know that good leaders will seek counsel from others often in order to make improvements?

Some people I have been watching lately would make terrific leaders one day and I would count it an honor to be led by them. Others, well. Let's just say, "Hail Hitler" comes to mind. Not exactly leader material; at least not a good leader.

I have had to ask myself some tough questions lately.
Do I listen?
Really listen ... not do the dishes at the same time, watch tv, or type; not read something and say yeah ... yeah ... yeah ... while they talk; not find something on the internet and have an eyebrow raised while they talk.
I've always taught my kids "Looking is listening", yet, do I do that?
Do I care about the person speaking to me?
Do I have something against them?
Do I respect them?
Do they respect me?
Have I gained influence?
Have I lost it? How? Can I gain it back? How?
Am I harboring ill feelings toward them?
What are my weaknesses?
What are my stengths?
Am I working in my stengths or my weaknesses?
What is the big picture?
Can I see it? Can they?
Am I being narrow minded?
Am I being prideful or humble?
What does my body langauge say?
If my eyes (or eyebrows for that matter) could talk, what would they say? ....

Lots of questions to keep in mind ... as I watch and learn.
Have a great day ... and lead on.