LEADERSHIP CAPSULE
... equipping leaders with tools, skills, and weapons to provide effective leadership for nations to ultimately fulfill the Great Commission

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

TITLE : Relationships 101: Building Blocks Of Relationship 13

1 Corinthians 13:7 Amplified Bible (AMP)

"Love bears all people [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]."

Yesterday we started considering the building blocks of relationship. We highlighted the value of listening as a major factor in gaining influence with others. Listening builds relationship and increases your influence with people.
Today we want to look at another word.

#2 Become An Encourager

What does it mean to be an encourager? It simply means to believe the best in people, forgiving , good-natured , tolerant or benevolent, to inspire or impart with hope, courage, spirit, or confidence.

You can't be an effective encourager if you're not a passionate lover. Let me talk about "love" a little. The word love is one of the most misunderstood words in English language. The meaning has been distorted until it is worn out to shreds. Our opening scripture 1 Corinthians 13:7 says "love believes the best in people". The message translation renders it "love always looks for the best in people." How I wish we all understand and come to an epignosis of what that verse means. Do you always think or believe the best of people – or do you think the worst?
One of the chief duties of an effective teacher or a coach is to encourage students.

A real leader is an encourager, I.e one who thinks and believe the best in people. My sole passion in life is to help people rediscover their leadership purpose and maximise, uncover and release their hidden potential and i've understood that you can't help people reach their potential if you don't believe in them. To get the best out of people you have to think and believe the best in them first and that is what love is all about. Love chooses to believe the best about people. It gives them the benefit of doubt. Faith and confidence in others is key to gaining influence with them. Most people lead impoverished lives because nobody believes them. For example statistics shows that 90% of prisoners when growing up were told by their parents or guardian "They're going to put you in jail". A rebellious teenager was told by his teachers he'll never amount to anything in life but would end up in gutter. If the people (parents, teachers, pastors, friends, spouse) who are closest to us don't believe in us, the chances of our believing in ourselves is slim.

Believing the best in people before they have proved themselves is the key to motivating people to reach their potential. Anybody can be somebody when somebody believes in them. Most people don't have someone who believes the best in them. Everyone needs an encourager. It is a major motivator for people to achieve their best. To be an encourager, it is essential to have faith in people, but that is a rare thing these days. People often easily give up on others.
When you encourage someone, it is not for people to think highly of you as an encourager, but for them to think highly of themselves.

Why Encourage Others?

Encouragement or faith in others is the key to unlocking people potential. Most people needs someone who believes in them despite their weakness and faults. Leadership is influence!! One big way to influence others is by being an encourager. When you encourage others despite their weakness you populate their strengths and gives them courage to become the best. About 3 years ago I developed an inspirational article titled "essential ingredients of parenting." One of those ingredients of effective parenting highlited was encouragement. Of course this will lead to kind words, being patient and believing the best in their wards. How many children have their parents told "I love you despite your faults".??
As a leader (parents, pastors, teachers, business owners e.t.c) you must become an encourager because most people will do anything to live up to your faith or expectations for them. As a leader, if you express scepticism and doubts in others, they will return your lack of faith and confidence in them with mediocrity. But if you believe the best in them and expect them to do well, they will go the extra mile trying to do and give their best.

Choose to be an encourager today.