Be Interested

Earlier this week, I called one of my mentors, Matt Norman for our monthly meeting.

This call was like many of the others we have had. Discussing what is going well, what is needing to be improved, and what is going to change.

Regardless of the length or topic of discussion, without fail I am always left feeling energized, hopeful, and empowered to change.

While I continue to learn a great deal through these mentor meetings, there is one aspect or underlying theme that is my greatest takeaway every time I hang up the phone or end the Microsoft Teams call.

This is the realization that during our calls, Matt never once tells me what to do. He lets me decide for myself.

He does this through asking the right questions. But how does he know how to ask the right questions?

By deciding during that short 30-minute window to become genuinely interested in my growth as an individual and leader.

This is how he knows what to ask.

This is how he helps me find the path forward.

This is how he makes me feel important.

That is the "secret sauce" when it comes to serving, guiding, and leading others.

This is something myself and my team try to do in every interaction. Whether it is meeting with others on our team, a client, or a friend, we strive to be curious and genuinely interested in those we come in contact with.

Be Interested

We all desire to be the type of person that others look to when they need guidance or direction. The one who is approachable and always able to make the other person feel important.

To become this type of leader, we must first become interested.

One of my personal favorite quotes from Dale Carnegie is,

"You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”

When we become interested in others, we begin to build solid and long-lasting relationships.

The most important part of this, however, is that our interest must come from a place of genuine care and concern for the other person. Let's be honest, if it isn't, people can sense that from a mile away.

Once we are genuinely interested, we then know what to ask the other person to help guide them.

This has probably happened in your life without you knowing it. For example, when a friend is telling a story and you find yourself so interested that you start asking questions like,

"Then what?!"

"How did that happen?!"

"How did that make you feel?"

"What happened because of that?"

In moments like this, when we genuinely care and are interested in what happened, the questions just seem to flow naturally. Also, the other person tends to be more descriptive and excited to share.

What Would it Mean?

What would it mean for you if you were more interested in others?

Would you help those you lead realize more of their full potential?

Would you enhance the relationships with those that mean the most to you?

Would you find the trusting and meaningful friendships you have been so long looking for?

Would you help the person who doesn't feel like they are important understand that they are full of value and purpose?

Become genuinely interested in the next person you come in contact with. If you do, you may find that it not only changes them, but also you.

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About the Author:?

Ian Mohorn strives to help businesses and people achieve their highest potential all while assisting them to succeed in selling, leadership, engagement, presentations, managing stress and worry, self-confidence, communication and human relations skills. He is President and CEO of SCIE & Associates, LLC which offers Dale Carnegie Programs in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. His mission is to develop and serve all those he works with to the best of our ability. He understands that business clients are more than clients, they are partners. Partners that have trusted him and Dale Carnegie Training of the Emerald Coast with the most of important part of their business: their people.

People. Partnership. Performance.