Last month we wrote about how and why an attitude of gratitude is a core leadership attribute. We emphasized that gratitude is - first and foremost - a choice, and focused the discussion on how leaders who demonstrate this quality can (and do) set a tone that can encourage others to develop the same positive attitude themselves. Gratitude is contagious.
Knowing these things, and with a "pay-it-forward" mindset, we can also express our gratitude and in so doing encourage those we serve.
Webster's online Dictionary defines "Encourage" as: "to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope," and provides that the etymology of this word is built on the root "courage."
To encourage someone is to strengthen them, to give them hope, to reinforce their courage so that they are better equipped to face the next challenge; the next decision; the next day.
By contrast, consider the word "flattery." Webster's defines flattery as "praise that is not sincere..." Flattery is empty; it can be deceptive, manipulative, and is only ever serve-serving.
So let's go with encouragement instead.
Here are some keys to keep in mind when determining to en-courage someone:
- Tell the truth. There is power in the truth. Inherent power.
- Think of a specific quality the person has demonstrated and remind them about it. Doing so can encourage them to press on.
- Share a specific time when their words or actions made a difference in your own life.
- Avoid dipping into flattery. Avoid people who flatter you.
- Spend time with people who encourage you. Study what they do and pass it along to the next person.
Certainly there are other ideas that fit the goal of encouraging others. The key objective is to stimulate increased courage in the life of the recipient.
Who has encouraged you lately? To which person will you be an encourager today? Share your experiences with us and with others (click here). Doing so can itself be encouraging!