"Helping people become all they can be through your influence"
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HELPING PEOPLE BECOME ALL THEY CAN BE
I was interacting with a student the other day. We were working together in an effort to establish a set of goals he wanted to accomplish for his present ministry.
After I was done communicating with this person, I realized I was following a pattern: a pattern I have gone through over the years as I've tried to help people. I'm not saying I'm the "cat's meow" on this subject. Far from it!
What I am saying is that maybe this simple process will assist *you* as you strive to help people become all they can be through *your* influence.
Here are the steps in the process:
1. Listen to people 2. Strive to capture the desire of their hearts 3. Chart "action steps" together 4. Prompt them to strive towards excellence 5. Release-Guide-Release
Since you already know where I'm heading on most of these points, I'll be brief.
LISTEN TO PEOPLE
Back to my "pattern." I realized that my pattern was to listen.
That's right --> listen.
Much of my interaction with people has been trying to discover "where they are at."
What they mean by things. Allowing them to express themselves. Pausing. Asking questions to clarify.
Just listening.
Because if I listen closely I can...
"CAPTURE" THE HEART OF A PERSON
I help interns create goals for their ministry projects. It is a part of my role as their coordinator.
In the process of helping them create their ministries, I have often said...
"Does this express your heart's desire?" "Forget school work. Forget this project. Just tell me this: what is your heart-beat in this?"
If I can "capture their heart" in the process of writing their goals, it will give them staying power. It will help stay them motivated.
I love it!
Which leads me to the next point...
CHART A COURSE OF ACTION
Term it whatever you want: set goals, establish steps of action, create a way to solve a problem...
Whatever.
Just give people something specific they can do. Help them "take action." In doing so you help those help you are influencing become all they can be.
But there's something more to this process: put *their* heart it!
I have stated to the interns over the years: "If I can wed these two together, I have a winner: your heart's desires and your goals."
It's true. When you...
Understand someone Capture their heart's desire Create actions based on their heart's desire
You have a winning combination!
But you can do "more." You can...
CHALLENGE THEM TO EXCELLENCE
I'll give you another example. In talking with the intern that prompted my thinking -- and eventually this issue -- I mentioned:
"I've included a sample to show how you can improve. The other example I gave will do for now. However, if you want to keep on developing your skills in this area, pay attention to what I have written and it will help you in the future."
I was quick to add: "Don't let this kill you. Do what is 'you' in this regard. However, pay attention to these simple suggestions and use them as you can."
Why did I add the statement above? Because I wanted the intern to see that he *could* do more -- but he didn't have to make it his life's passion! You see, I knew it wasn't his area of interest. I gave him a slight challenge to excel *in his own way and *at his own time.*
But it was a slight nudge towards excellence!
Then I had to...
RELEASE!
It was time for the intern to "just go and do it!" We had talked before. And, I'm sure we will talk again.
There's the pattern: release -- guide -- release.
Let the person you are influencing try! Be there, yes. Like a good coach.
But let the person run his own race.
When I was swimming competitively and I heard the words, "Timers and judges ready. Swimmers take your mark."
And the gun went off...
Don, my coach, wasn't leaving that starting block. Lee Wise was!
You've got to release. Let them try. But be ready to guide them again.
After the races were over, I found myself back in the pool again with "you know who" guiding me, pushing me, and challenging me to be the best I could be.
You got it -- my coach, Don.
Good swimming coaches do operate that way. And so do good life coaches.
Which is what you might term "a leader."
SO WHAT'S THE PATTERN?
*Listen *Capture the desire of the heart *Chart action steps *Challenge towards excellence *Release-guide-release
AND WHERE ARE YOU?
Can you identify any of the stages of this pattern where you are *right now* with someone?
Could you improve in listening, capturing, charting, challenging, releasing or guiding?
That's not a guilt trip. I'm not "in" to guilt trips. It is, however, a reminder to both of us. A reminder to keep improving our ability to help others become all they can be through our influence.
Yours for a day filled with beautiful moments in time,
Lee
------------------------------- Lee is a seminary administrator, has a part-time business at home, and writes two motivational ezines: "A Beautiful Moment In Time" and "Hope For Daily Living." Permission is given to distribute article. This paragraph must be included. Email: Lee@seariches.net Link: http://www.seariches.net
Lee is a seminary administrator, has a part-time business at home, and writes two motivational ezines: "A Beautiful Moment In Time" and "Hope For Daily Living."
