Do you have trouble bringing others along?  Consider the choices you are making.

One of the most important choices you make, especially as a leader, is how you present and define yourself to other people, even to yourself.  You have a certain look, attitude or way of being with and dealing with others, your style.  This is important to pay attention to because when you engage other people in a certain way, they will usually respond in a related way.  Here’s where the leadership tool, the boomerang, comes in – You get what you give!  The manner and style you use to engage people effects how people respond to you and your ability to bring them along.

Try this simple experiment at the office. Walk along with your head held high and a big smile on your face as you look people in the eye.  I tried this one day at a shopping mall with amazing results.  Strangers smiled and greeted me.  I felt energetic and happy!  When someone asks how you are doing, smile and say you are fabulous.  See what happens, not only to how you feel but in the response you get.  Typically you get what you give.  Boomerang.  This is true with the level of conversation.  If you stick to “Hi, how are you. Fine.  Fine.” that’s the level of conversation you’ll get back.  Boomerang.  If you have a “deeper” conversation like, “You look upset today.  Is anything wrong?”  You may get a more genuine, engaging conversation.  This type of participation can benefit you as a leader, developing more meaningful conversations and relationships.

Do you want to bring others along?  Your attitude and approach dictates how this works for you and what you get back.  Boomerang.  You create the way people react to you.  Others create the reactions they get from you and the world. Boomerang.  And so it goes.  What’s your choice for the world you want to live in?  For your work environment?  Create it!  Generate it!  Boomerang.

I’d love to hear your thoughts or support you in your journey as a leader.  Contact me at Lois@LoisCarson.com.