Man's greatest need is acceptance and to be loved. This is true regardless of age, economic status, culture or social status. There is a small key here that we can implement as leaders, that if we do this, on a regular, basis, we are sure to see followers soon become leaders alongside us. I call it 'The Law of Inclusion'. Everybody desires to feel included. We all desire a sense of belonging. Deep in the heart of all people is a desire to do something significant, meaningful and life-changing. One of the ways we can foster this desire is to make 'ordinary' people feel included in our world and in our 'sphere of influence'.
President Woodrow Wilson said "We should not only use all the brains we have - but all that we can borrow." So don't stop with just their brains, enlist their hearts and hands too! Another president, Lyndon Johnson, was right when he said, "There are no problems we cannot solve together, and very few that we can solve by ourselves." We need to look at our callings as leaders and ask ourselves "who can I include?". We need to look at potential. Jesus did exactly this when He hand-picked 12 disciples. He included them into His world.
In the nursing profession it is common knowledge to live by a certain phrase, "watch one, do one, teach one." The principle refers to learning a specific technique, doing it and then letting the apprentice do it while you watch. Harvard Business Review produced an article on 30 successful executives and said that every single one of them learned their skills firsthand directly from a mentor. For people to learn from us, we need to include them and mentor them.
Take some time everyday to include new people into your tasks and responsibilities as a leader. Watch how they develop in your midst, simply because you cared enough to include them.
Happy Leading!
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