“In life, you are either going to see people as your adversaries or as your assets.”

A thought by John C. Maxwell (2013-02-15) From his book, Be A People Person: Effective Leadership Through Effective (p. 29). David C. Cook. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

Too many times in life we see people as obstacles, even roadblocks to us getting where we want to go to get what we want out of life. In other words, we see people as adversaries. Why don’t they come to see me? Why don’t they do what I say? Why don’t they appreciate all I’ve done for them? Why are you bothering me? Or whatever self-centered phrase we use.

John says, “If they are adversaries, you will be continually sparring with them, trying to defend your position.”

He then says, “If you see people as assets, you will help them see their potential, and you will become allies in making the most of each other.”

He goes on, “The happiest day of your life will be the day when you realize ‘we’ really is the most important word in the English language.”

Have you found out yet that lasting happiness doesn’t come from living just for you?

John in the next chapter shares, “Someone once asked Perle Mesta, the greatest Washington hostess since Dolley Madison, the secret of her success in getting so many rich and famous people to attend her parties. ‘It’s all in the greetings and good-byes,’ she claimed. As each guest arrived she met him or her with, ‘At last you’re here!’ As each left she expressed her regrets with, ‘I’m sorry you have to leave so soon!’”

John continued, “At any gathering you will find two types of people— those who arrive with an attitude of ‘Here I am!’ and those who possess an attitude of ‘There you are!’ It doesn’t take long to notice that people flock to the ‘There you are!’ people.”

John also shared what one of his staff members, Dan Reiland said, ‘Be more concerned about making others feel good about themselves than you are in making them feel good about you. In other words, don’t try to sell other people on you, try to sell them on themselves.”

So how do you view other people?

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