“If you work only for yourself, you may not need too many relational skills.”

A thought by John C. Maxwell (2013-02-15) from his book, Be A People Person: Effective Leadership Through Effective (p. 184). David C. Cook. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

But John gives a however. He says, “However, if you work with people, you must have (or seek to develop) the ability to interact positively with them. Can you talk to people easily? Do you listen to them? Do you have a sense of humor and the ability to laugh at yourself without being sensitive and defensive? Do you enjoy people and working with them? Are you warm and approachable?”

He quotes, Kurt Einstein of Success magazine who says: “87 percent of all people fail, not because of capability but because of personality.” John then says, “People usually don’t fail because they can’t do the job, but because they can’t get along with their coworkers.”

Now of course leaders must get along with people. John shares, “The leader of any group must exemplify certain relational essentials. First, he must respect his staff. They will not only absorb his respect, they will reflect it back to him. He also needs to provide open and honest two-way communication on all issues. Open communication establishes an atmosphere of trust that is essential if a group of people is to function as a team.”

He goes on, “A leader will be hurt in one of two ways. He can be nontrusting and hold his people at a distance, never sharing or being open with them. Though his feelings may not be hurt because he won’t allow anyone to get close to him, he will be hurt in other ways because no one will ever help him. His will be a lonely trip with no one to hug, love, or share the joy of ministry. On the other hand a leader can choose to be open and transparent and chance the possibility of being hurt by one who takes advantage of that trust. That is a risk worth taking. I would hate to think of the rich, deep friendships I would never have developed had I not risked trusting people.”

So how are your relational skills?

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