How Honor Fuels Energy and Gets Results
Done poorly, gratitude demotivates or inspires entitlement.
Affirm results; honor heart.
The person behind results:
There’s a leader on my team who enjoys meeting needs and taking care of people. I saw him in action at a recent picnic.
Mike came to our vehicle to help us carry our picnic gear when we arrived. When more people arrived he walked to the parking lot and offered to help them as well.
Last Wednesday, Mike and I had a meeting. It gave me a chance to affirm both his behavior and heart.
“I noticed you helped people carry their stuff for the picnic last week. You enjoy meeting needs.” Mike smiled. I said, “It’s part of who you are.” Then I honored his heart.
“You must have been watching for people to arrive so that you could be helpful. Everyone else was relaxing and enjoying conversations. You, were watching to meet a need. That’s impressive.”
I could tell Mike appreciated how our conversation went beyond result to heart. Mike made several trips to the parking lot that day. He carried bags, coolers, and chairs. Everyone said thank you. But, his heart is more important than the help he offered.
People first; result after.
Honor heart:
- Talk about the energy it took to produce results.
- Respect the positive motivations that got the job done.
- Explain the emotional impact of results. “When you …., others feel….”
- Say, “When you …, I feel proud you’re on our team,” for example.
- Ask yourself, “What unnoticed attitudes or behaviors did it take to get this job done?” Talk about those things.
Honor heart; fuel energy.
How might leaders honor heart?
I’m constantly amazed at the fresh and useful information you provide. They say “you learn something new every day”. This blog guarantees that ! Thank you. Mark
Dan,
What an uplifting post. You let Mike know you could see part of who he really is… beyond what he owns and what he does and who he knows, etc. Is there a higher honor, than to feel seen and appreciated for who we are? Ubuntu. 🙂
There is more to this than the words and actions, I feel. You were showing up yourself, with authenticity. It takes one who knows himself and shows up real, to honor the real in another. 🙂
Best,
Mark
Hmm… looking at the above, I might have rewritten one of the lines to read, “You, yourself, were showing up.” That’s the way it was meant, lol.
People first. Relationships matter.
To really lead effectively, you need to know your people, affirm their strengths, and buffer their weaknesses. Great post.
As I leader, I am embarrassed when someone remarks on my behaviour in a positive way. Perhaps you could write a blog on how to accept compliments without feeling awkward. : )
If you consider this post in terms of an educator (leader / facilitator of effective learning), these actions will divide those educators between great teachers and minimalist teachers!!!
This reminds me of something we should also be doing with children, catch them being good! We are too quick to point out flaws, areas for improvement, mistakes. This is what we need more of. True kindness and sincerity, put others before yourself. This man is a servant leader.
What a feel-good post! Thank you!
Honor and integrity go hand in hand. Doing what is right when no one is looking. Also, doing what is right just for the self satisfaction that results and not for any other reward, otherwise. Back to the basics . . . 🙂
Dan, this post on “honoring the heart” is fabulous: It’s not just about peak performance per se, I believe it celebrates “how we become.”
The crime of leadership is forgetting. Not remembering the traits of personal and professional fulfillment…a seeing eye, a hearing ear, and a responsive heart. Forgetting to have a temper that is not “dis-eased” (not at ease), a touch that never hurts, and a heart that is never hardened. And may we not forget to remember it is not in the gifts one receives but in the virtues one practices that one is honored. No person is ever honored for what one received: “Honor is the reward for what one gives from the heart.” Great post, Dan.
Identifying the ‘heart’ portion of the actions, and recognizing is one of the best ways in motivational leadership. Great write!