Five Principles of Encouragement From a Seven Sentence Email
Dan – I hope you are doing great!
I watched your video about five ideas to avoid complaining and really enjoyed it. Thank you!
Also – while I was watching the video my eight year old daughter joined me. She asked if you were Dr. Seuss.
I had a suspicion that you’d appreciate hearing that :).
I’m looking forward to the *round tables coming up.
Thanks,
Colin
Five Principles of Encouragement:
#1. “I hope you are doing great.”
Leadership expands when others shine.
- You can’t lead and feel threatened when others do well.
- Cheer when others outshine you.
- Every time you feel a need to step into the spotlight, shine it on someone else.
#2. “I watched your video about five ideas to avoid complaining and really enjoyed it.”
Let people know their work matters.
See the video (6:07).
#3. Say, “Thank you!”
#4. “Also – while I was watching the video my eight year old daughter joined me. She asked if you were Dr. Seuss. I had a suspicion that you’d appreciate hearing that :).”
Pull back the curtain and let people catch a glimpse of you.
I feel like I’ve been invited to his home.
The leader who wrote this email works for an organization I’ve served for nearly three years. Because of this email, I know him a little better now.
Personal connection fuels energy.
We’ll smile and laugh when I see him later this month. (Smiles and laughter reflect positive energy.)
#5. I’m looking forward to the round tables coming up.
Leaders enjoy people.
Let people know you want to work with them. The problems and challenges leaders face pull them toward negativity.
Look for the good. The bad screams for attention.
What points of encouragement do you see in this leaders email?
What might leaders do to encourage others?
*Round table is the term they use for internal coaches meetings.
Dan,
It’s crucial we let them know we are there to support them, for whatever they need, education, physical support presence, or general moral support.
Making sure they know we appreciate their efforts. By doing so we are creating a very strong foundation for a solid group, whether it’s work, school, family, worship, they all mess together.
A positive mindset is fuel to successfully building a cohesive team. While reading the “Five Principles of Encouragement” I kept thinking of David Cooperrider’s Appreciative Inquiry with the four (4) D’s and the inference to look for and work toward the positives in organizations and in one’s self first, versus always looking for the problems first.
Gregory and Dan
I went to Case Western when Surish, David and others first worked on Appreciative Inquiry. Their group were in charge of the Executive MBA program. It helped teach me the people side of business, very valuable indeed!
Brad
Brad James
A leader can be a source of encouragement by themselves first carrying a heart of gratitude with them, where their actions speaks louder than their words.
It’s encouraging and exciting to know that an 8-year old is watching your video and may pick up an idea or have a question about something she hears.
Dan–keep up your good work. You encourage and challenge us to keep growing!
Paul B. Thornton
It’s a great stuff, Thanks
Dear Dan,
I’m a big fan of yours and l also have a very high regard for original leadership ideas and thoughts. It’s amazing to see when your thoughts influence others just as I’m influenced by great leaders and great thought leaders whose work I ensure I give credit all the time. After all, we live in the world right now where ethical leadership is of prime importance especially in the light of the digital interface, social media and open sources. Having said that, The Five Principles of Engagement above referenced being written a week ago. Would you please refer me to the original date it was written and posted?
Thank you,
Kathrine
This is great for after you are in a leadership role. All too often the more ambitious promoter of themselves get into position first. Promoters of others often find themselves on the outside looking in with great leadership skills but no leadership position to utilize those great skills.