Treat everyone like they're a big baby.

So I just visited my friend’s new baby. I noticed that each of us, despite differing backgrounds, cultures and genders, approached the baby similarly. Interesting. So I thought to myself: what if we approached every new person... employee... co-worker... in the same way?

1. We enter the relationship clean. We use anti-bacterial gel on our hands because we want to make sure we aren’t bringing any outside germs into this new relationship.
2. We make the baby the focus of our attention. We don’t tell the baby about our day, or boast about our accomplishments. Rather, we watch and learn. What does he see? What draws his attention? What makes him happy?
3. We approach gently and listen. Eager to hear that soft coo, we sit in stillness and wait.
4. We serve. We rush to warm a bottle, or change a diaper. Simply, we put his needs first.

So here's my personal commitment. I'm going to try and enter relationships clean - no suppositions or assumptions. Make the other person my focus, intentionally seeking to understand what makes him tick. Listen. And assume an attitude of servanthood (I recognize this one may be contentious). But what if I did? What if I approached others with a posture of servanthood? I'm here to help you, to make your life better. Personally? I like it.