Know Your Soldiers (Employees, Co-workers, etc)

The "pat on the back" is a lost art. There was a time it meant the world to those wanting the recognition for the work they are putting in. Today it seems to to recognize everything except the person.

Caring for those who are subordinate to you or who are your peers means more than just knowing their names and street address. John Maxwell uses a simple formula when trying to engage his people in order to find out who they really are:

• He wants to know their hopes for the future
• He wants to know what brings them the most joy
• He wants to know what brings them to tears

Why go through that much trouble? Two words: trust and respect. The fastest way to build trust and respect with your people is to be genuinely concerned about their welfare. Knowing a name or giving a pat of the back for performance will not help you know them well enough to engage their strengths and avoid their weaknesses.

Fail to build that knowledge and you will quickly destroy your ability to gain the respect and trust of your people. For military leaders, failure to care for your people will make them feel as if they are no more than a resource with little value.

Leadership gains authority and respect when the voiceless poor are treated fairly.Proverbs 29:14 (MSG)

As a leader, you represent the mouthpiece of your people. Knowing them gives them reason to respect you enough to listen to you. They listen because they know you have put thought into who they are and how they fit into the mission or task at hand. I failed miserably at this when I was younger. I was more concerned with getting things right and doing everything by the book instead of putting faces on how these things would get done.

Don’t plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you.Proverbs 3:29 (NLT)

Your people trust you when you become their neighbor. Care lets them know you are not out to manipulate or take advantage of them. They know you are not intending harm for them or the organization. Trust gains loyalty to the mission and to your leadership.

Get to know your people. Know what makes them tick by getting to know what makes them cry, what make them jump for joy, and what hopes they have for the future. I can honestly say that your organization will truly grow from genuine care. Plus, you will find your people buying in to your vision and to the goals of your organization.

Take a chance. Care for them today.