We walk a fine line in our relationships with team members.
On one hand, we need to be personable, caring and engaged with our team. On the other hand, we don't want to become too caring and focused on the relationship at the expense of productivity.
It's a fight against becoming too familiar.
As leaders, our goal isn't really to develop friendships or long lasting personal relationships. The focus of a leader must consistently be upon goal achievement. Personal relationships can soften our resolve to demand excellence in accomplishing the work in the relationship.
As a young salesperson, I developed some strong relationships with clients. At least, I thought that's what I had. I learned the hard way that my relationships were only as good as the product. When a strong competitor entered the picture, I lost the business because of poor performance of the product. All of the lunches, sports events and golf outings, were only business. Nothing personal, just business.
When I was younger, I had a strong dislike for that phrase—it's not personal, it's business. But I learned to better understand the downside of blending personal relationships with business goals.
I will still play golf, go to dinners and care about my team. But I stand on guard against a work relationship becoming too familiar. I've tumbled down that slippery slope and become blinded to poor performance. Performance breathes life into a work relationship. Without performance, there is no future.
I've learned that some team members view a personal relationship with a leader as job security. I've also learned that when I leave a business in which I held key leadership roles, the team left behind moves on to engage the new boss. I rarely, if ever, have heard from people I have led in businesses in which I invested significant chunks of my life. I frequently hear from students I have taught but only a few former employees have reconnected. I get it. It's nothing personal. It's just business.
Familiarity breeds contempt.
"Yes, my own close friend, in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted up the heel against me" (Ps. 41:9).
Platform Tip No. 44
A good message is evergreen.
Brother Lawrence and Frank Laubach wrote Practicing His Presence which is over 300 years old and has never been out of print. The message still lingers because it connects so powerfully with our felt need to be in the presence of the Lord.
Is your message evergreen?
Do you want to learn more about developing your personal platform?
Send for my free series of lessons titled, "The Fundamentals of Creating, Curating and Developing Content for Multiple Platforms." Send your request to: [email protected].
We will not share your email address with anyone.
Dr. Steve Greene is the publisher and executive vice president of the media group at Charisma Media and executive producer of the Charisma Podcast Network. His book, Love Leads: The Spiritual Connection Between Your Relationships and Productivity, is now available.
Leaders, Dr. Greene wants to help you understand the spiritual connection between relationships and productivity. Read his new blog, here.
Get Spirit-filled content delivered right to your inbox! Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
Dr. Steve Greene is now sharing stories, teachings, and conversations with guests who lead with love on Love Leads, a new podcast. Listen now.
Dr. Mark Rutland's
National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL)
The NICL is one of the top leadership training programs in the U.S. taught by Dr. Mark Rutland. If you're the type of leader that likes to have total control over every aspect of your ministry and your future success, the NICL is right for you!
FREE NICL MINI-COURSE - Enroll for 3-hours of training from Dr. Rutland's full leadership course. Experience the NICL and decide if this training is right for you and your team.
Do you feel stuck? Do you feel like you’re not growing? Do you need help from an expert in leadership? There is no other leadership training like the NICL. Gain the leadership skills and confidence you need to lead your church, business or ministry. Get ready to accomplish all of your God-given dreams. CLICK HERE for NICL training dates and details.The NICL Online is an option for any leader with time or schedule constraints. It's also for leaders who want to expedite their training to receive advanced standing for Master Level credit hours. Work through Dr. Rutland's full training from the comfort of your home or ministry at your pace. Learn more about NICL Online. Learn more about NICL Online.
