Be a People Person: Effective Leadership Through Effective Relationships

Someone once asked Perle Mesta, the greatest Washington hostess since Dolley Madison, the secret of her success in getting so many rich and famous people to attend her parties. “It’s all in the greetings and good-byes,” she claimed. As each guest arrived she met him or her with, “At last you’re here!” As each left she expressed her regrets with, “I

“Dream of what you want to be, the kind of life you wish to build. And believe in that dream. Be prepared to work for it. Always remember, each dream is important because it is your dream, it is your future. And it is worth working for.”

That grumpy woman didn’t deserve to be treated kindly. But when she was treated not as she was, but as I wanted her to be and believed she could become, her perspective suddenly changed.

People need to be encouraged. Eugene Lang believed in these kids and it made all the difference in how they lived the rest of their lives. The article goes on to show Lang’s impact: Lang’s students speak confidently of becoming architects, computer experts, entrepreneurs of all types.

Put simply, charismatic people are helpers. They are out to see others profit; they have the gift of grace.

The two great marks of a Christian are that they are giving and forgiving. Show me a person who walks with God, and I’ll show you a person who has a giving heart and is forgiving of others.

Charismatic people have the ability to show concern for people’s deepest needs and interests. That doesn’t mean charismatic people are mushy or patronizing, but when you are around them, you sense their interest and care and leave them feeling that you are important.

In life, you are either going to see people as your adversaries or as your assets.

The best way to become a person that others are drawn to is to develop qualities that we are attracted to in others.