Everybody has a story

One of the very basics in leadership in my opinion is understanding that we are all human beings. Never judge a book by its cover. It is the easy path to simply assume the whole based on the basic first glance, or first encounter, but people are multi-dimensional beings that transcend what is simply on the surface. If you really want to be a leader, know your people! If you want to be a great leader… care about them!

As human beings we tend to worry and care about ourselves first, and then others. It is a basic survival instinct that has been passed down from our evolution. We know our story, we live it daily. We may not remember every second of every day that we have experienced life, but we certainly remember the big events. Those things that had the most profound impact on our development, those times of happiness, and those times of great sadness. Your story is who you are. You also know that no one else has your story, your own unique experience and chronology of events.

As a leader we have to realize that this unique life experience give us filters through which we examine, evaluate, and live our lives. These filters include biases, judgements, and knowledge that we use to navigate every day. It is sometimes difficult, but essential that we learn what our filters are, and to understand how they impact our opinions and thoughts. Our employees have a story, their own unique experiences that make them who they are. As a society we tend to put people into boxes and categorize them because of these filters.

Be open to your team, listen to them. Have a conversation and get to know them for who they are. Know what their priorities are and what makes them tick. It is often those outside influences that drive us every day. Learn their story. At the end of the day motivating them and leading them is about how they need to be led and mentored, not what we as leaders think they need. Knowing your folks and letting them know you do makes all the difference in the world, but it must be genuine. I have found that my growth as a person is amazing the more I get to know people and nurture the bond that connects us all, our basic humanity, and life experience.