This principle has largely been underestimated, it has been grossly misappropriated. It is the essence of leadership, there can in fact be no leadership without people.
Leadership is a call to service, it’s the honour of setting aside, ones own self and the commitment to the development and grooming of people. True leadership doesn’t make followers, it makes new leaders.
Leaders do not just tell us the way they show it! Human interaction as the bedrock of leadership cannot be overstated. Mastering human relationships and learning how to get along with people is the dogma and pedagogy of leadership.
EXPLORING THE PEOPLE PRINCIPLE
Zig ziglar puts it very beautifully; he says “If you help as many people get what they want you can get anything you want”. John maxwell calls this “being a people person”; Dale Carnegie calls it “how to win friends and Influence people”.
There is no singular sphere of human engagement void of people. Learning the what, who, where and how of people is simply indispensable. Men who stood out did so because of this distinctive quality. They knew how to avoid criticism, arouse enthusiasm and render approbation.
COMPONENTS OF THE PEOPLE PRINCIPLE
AFFIRMATION
In 1923, a collection of wealthy financiers met at edge water beach hotel Chicago, collectively these tycoons controlled more wealth than was in the United States tresury. Among them was Charles Schwab president of the largest independent steel company and the first person ever in American business to be paid over a million dollars a year! He had this to say about his success:
“It wasn’t because of my knowledge, I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among my people the greatest asset I posses. There is nothing that kills the ambitions of a person than criticism from superiors, I believe in giving a person incentive to work so I am anxious to praise but loathe to find fault. If I like anything, I am hearty in my approbation and lavish in my praise”
Everyone wants to be a part of something significant, people love to feel a sense of importance. This desire must be satisfied effectively by leadership.
SENSITIVITY
This is the ability to feel and respond to human emotion and psychology. Being able to resonate at the same tune with your followers to feel what they feel and detect even their non verbal communications.
VALUE
People derive motivation under a leadership that adds value to them personally. People feel indebted when you invest in them.
Commit to develop your people skills. The people principle is what makes principal people! Always remember that you can get anything you want if you first help enough people get what they want.
Leadership is about raising new leaders indeed.