“Everyone wants and needs to be affirmed for his accomplishments.”

A thought by John C. Maxwell (2013-02-15) From his book, Be A People Person: Effective Leadership Through Effective (p. 40). David C. Cook. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

I’m not always good at this. It seems I’m too many times more interested in making teaching moments than affirming moments. Of course we all need both but too often we just get the one, the teaching moment.

John tells about what a little boy who was playing darts with his father said, “Let’s play darts. I’ll throw and you say ‘Wonderful!’” That is so good.

John also tells of what Charles Schwab, the successful businessman, once said, “I have yet to find the man, however exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism.” Is that true of you? If it is then I’m sure it is also true of others.

John goes on, “We tend to become what the most important person in our life thinks we will become. Think the best, believe the best, and express the best in others. Your affirmation will not only make you more attractive to them, but you will help play an important part in their personal development.”

So how do we do it? John says, “We first need to feel good about ourselves. Then we can verbally and actively believe in others and expect them to respond positively. People are our only appreciable asset. As Christians, we cannot afford not to affirm them. If I fail to affirm a brother, we both lose.” And that is so true.

So who will we affirm today?

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