I am guessing that you have all been to some type of training seminar in which they talk about how to improve your business.  “Do this to improve sales”, “Do that to get more out of your employees” or “BUY this and just sit back and watch the results.”

The common theme missing in most of these is what to do to develop your people.  To me it is pretty simple.  If you want to improve anything, yes I said anything, you need to improve the people that are responsible to achieve the desired results.

The name of my business and the website you are currently on is “Building What Matters.”  What matters is “people”.  You can’t and won’t move to the next level without developing yourself or those around you.  We can automate and streamline the process, but at the end of the day, it is people that are going to make the difference.

Ok, I guess that makes sense, but how does developing people translate to success or improvement?  Here are a four ways:

1.  EMPOWERMENT

When we develop people, we can create in them the understanding that they have the ability to accomplish anything they put their mind to.  Do you ever feel like you expect too much from other people?  Is it because they have not lived up to your expectations?  Here it is folks … letting other people know that you believe in them is the most empowering act you can do.  When people know that others believe in them, they believe in themselves.  You want to see results?  Empower someone to do more that anyone thought possible.

2.  COMMITMENT

When you commit to investing your time and resources into someone else, you are letting them know that you value them.  Have you been trying to figure out why there is lack of commitment from those around you?  How much have you committed in them?  Let’s be honest … we all want a return on our investment.  Invest little and don’t expect much in return.  When you make the commitment to invest much, watch the return on what you put into it and tell me I’m wrong.

3.  CULTURE

There has been a lot of hype lately on culture.  There has been a lot written suggesting that when you create a culture that is conducive to high achievement, you will see it come to fruition.  This I know, nothing will grow in an environment that is not conducive to growth.  It does not matter what we are talking about, personal achievement, group projects, or carrots for that matter.  Nothing will grow unless the environment in which it is expected to grow is such that it can happen.  Think about it, are the resources that you need to achieve your goals in the environment in which you live or work?

4.  PURPOSE

Have you ever really thought about what you purpose is?  Better yet, have you asked someone else what their purpose is?  Try it, the answers will amaze you.  Most people view their purpose as related to what they are, i.e. the title on your business card.  Few will give a response that identifies what they want to do.  Their passion is what defines their purpose.  That being said, what is the plan to achieve it?  Alright, this one is pretty loaded, but understand, most people think their purpose is to accomplish the list that has been put before them today.  In most cases, someone else created the list.  If you want to develop the person, help them identify their purpose and help give them a way to live it.

Zig Ziglar may have said it best:

“You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.”

Wow, that’s a lot to think about.  Fair enough.  So start with something simple.  If you want to succeed in whatever it is that you are doing, identify the people that can help you get there and develop them.  We all know the value of leading by example.  If your focus is only on what you want, how do you think others will act?

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Barry Smith   www.buildingwhatmatters.com   10/14/12            photo by author