Beyond Sunday with Pastor Nic
Join me for a more personal look into the weekend sermons, as well as some thoughts on theology, marriage, parenting, and leadership. I will also explore some of your most asked questions throughout the year.
www.nic-williams.com
Beyond Sunday with Pastor Nic
The Law of Connection: Building Trust and Loyalty in Leadership
Listen in as we explore actionable strategies to enhance your leadership journey, emphasizing the necessity for leaders to be approachable and genuinely empathetic. With insights from Maxwell and compelling illustrations like Fred Rogers’ unparalleled ability to connect deeply with his audience, we highlight how genuine care transforms leadership effectiveness. Tune in to learn why people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care, and become a leader who touches hearts before asking for hands.
Welcome back to Beyond Sunday, where we explore the principles of leadership and personal growth through John Maxwell's 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. At least that's what we're doing in this mini-series. We'll be back to regular schedule program in August, but today we're diving into the 10th law, so if you have not caught up, I encourage you to go back a couple about a week and join us on this journey. But this 10th law is the law of connection. This law states that leaders touch a heart before they ask for a hand. Let's spend some time and unpack what this means and how you and I can apply it to our leadership journey.
Speaker 1:In my leadership experience, I've found that building genuine connections with people is fundamental to effective leadership. Early in my career, I focused heavily on tasks and objectives. However, I quickly learned that unless I took the time to connect with my team on a personal level, my efforts were less effective. One memorable instance involved a project that was falling behind schedule. Instead of pushing harder, I took the time to listen to my team's concerns and connect with them personally. This shift in approach not only improved morale, but also significantly boosted productivity.
Speaker 1:Now John Maxwell defines the law of connection by saying leaders touch a heart before they ask for a hand. This means that leaders must connect with people on an emotional level before they can expect them to follow and support their vision. The heart comes before the head. If you want to inspire someone or win them over, you must connect with them first. Maxwell emphasizes that leaders cannot make the mistake of expecting people to come to them. Leaders must be available, show appreciation, listen and get to know their people. This involves understanding their values, motivations and concerns. Maxwell summarizes the law of connection by saying leaders touch a heart before they ask for a hand. Another way to say this is that people will not follow you until they are emotionally bought into the vision you're casting. There's also some tie-in here with the famous quote people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.
Speaker 1:Now, obviously, you can't connect with everyone In an organization our size. We have about 1,200 people that come to church. Here I got about 15 people on staff and then within just the volunteer leaders within the church probably have about 100. And I can't connect with every person here, and so my job is to connect with the staff and then be available to connect with the next leaders coming into the church. You have to make sure that your time is spent well.
Speaker 1:1 Thessalonians 2.8 says so. We cared for you because we loved you so much. We were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. I love this verse. This verse highlights the importance of sharing our lives and genuinely caring for others to build meaningful connections. It's not just about sharing the gospel that's our primary concern. But he said, man, I'm sharing our lives with you as well, because I care. Consider the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus in Luke 19. Jesus took the time to connect with Zacchaeus personally by visiting his home and showing genuine interest in his life. This personal connection led to Zacchaeus' transformation and willingness to follow Jesus' teaching.
Speaker 1:John Maxwell once said that you develop credibility with people when you connect with them and show that you genuinely care and want to help them. This quote emphasizes the importance of genuine care in building connections. Another insightful quote is from Theodore Roosevelt people don't care how much until they know how much you care. This underscores the necessity of showing care and empathy before expecting others to follow your lead. For just a moment, imagine a manager who walks through the office, always in a rush, never takes the time to engage with their team, this manager is likely to be seen as distant and unapproachable. Now consider a manager who takes the time to listen to their employees, ask about their well-being and show appreciation for their efforts. This manager builds trust and loyalty, leading to a more motivated and productive team. Consider the example of Fred Rogers, the beloved host of Mr Rogers' Neighborhood. Fred Rogers was known for his genuine care and connection with children and adults alike. His ability to connect on a personal level made his messages of kindness and empathy resonate deeply within his audience. Maxwell also shares a story about a leader who realized that his team was not fully engaged with the organization's vision. Instead of pushing harder, he took the time to connect with each team member, understanding their personal goals and then helping them align with the organization's objectives. This personal connection led to increased buy-in and a more cohesive team effort. Now, for just a moment, let's talk about how you and I can apply the law of connection to our own leadership journey.
Speaker 1:Four things. Number one connect with yourself. How do you connect with yourself? You must know who you are and value who you are. Reflect on the following questions to do that. How do I describe my personality. What is the greatest character strength that I have? What is the greatest character weakness that I have? What is the greatest asset and deficit that I have in my life? How well do I relate to others? Rank yourself on one to 10 scale. How well do I relate to others? How well do I communicate with others? How likable am I? Ask the three people in your life that you trust to answer these questions as well and compare the responses.
Speaker 1:Sometimes we have a blind side and what we think is a strength is actually a weakness. So let some people speak into your life. Value your strengths and pursue personal development in your areas of weakness. Number two be present and available. Slow down when you're walking the halls or connecting with employees. Do not rush. Take the time for people and be genuinely present in your interactions. Number three improve communication skills. Rate yourself as a public speaker on a scale of one to 10. If you're lower than an eight, plan professional development for yourself in this area. And when I say public speaker, it's not always about standing on a stage and speaking to people. How you publicly speak, how you engage the vision of your organization with your team matters. Read communication books. Take a class on public speaking you publicly speak. How you engage the vision of your organization with your team matters. Read communication books, take a class on public speaking. Improve your communication skills.
Speaker 1:Number four here are some guidelines for connecting with others.
Speaker 1:First, connect with yourself.
Speaker 1:Understand and value who you are.
Speaker 1:Communicate with openness and sincerity. Be genuine and transparent in your communication. Know your audience. Understand the needs, values and motivation of those you lead. Live your message. Model the behaviors and values that you expect from others. Go where they are. Meet people in their space, both physically and emotionally. Focus on them, not yourself. Prioritize the needs of your team and concerns over your own.
Speaker 1:You can't do that all the time, but the more you can build that into your life, I promise you, the stronger your team will become. Believe in them, show faith in their abilities and potential. Offer direction and hope, provide clear guidance and inspire optimism. Remember leaders touch a heart before they ask for a hand. By connecting with people on a personal level and showing genuine care, you can build trust, inspire loyalty and lead more effectively. Today, we explored the law of connection, how touching hearts before asking for hands is crucial for effective leadership. By focusing on building genuine connections, you can transform the way you lead and impact those around you. Join us the next time as we delve into the 11th law, the law of the inner circle. Thank you for listening today. If you enjoyed today's episode, please subscribe, leave a review, share with a friend. Until next time, keep growing and leading with purpose.