Two Be’s

As the holiday season gets rolling, chances are you’ll find yourself at a social gathering or two. Whether it’s with family, friends or, especially, co-workers, I want you to think about what I call the “Two Be’s.” If you want to know how to connect with other people, these are central:

“Be Interesting.” People like to be around interesting people. They like to learn from them. The last thing you want to be if you want to lead is boring. People’s eyes rolling back in their heads is a sign that you need to kick it up a notch. Read good books, stay on top of the news, and learn new things. That will help you be interesting and develop your conversational skills. But there is something even more important—the next “Be.”

“Be Interested.” More than wanting to talk about yourself, talk about the other person. Be interested in who they are, what they do, and what they like. That will endear them to you and attract them to you. People want to know that you care about them and their needs. The next time you are around someone you lead, spend the time focusing on them and see the magic that happens with your personal leadership!