Bryce Henson

On the Law of Connection, John Maxwell writes…

“When it comes to working with people, the heart comes before the head.” 

Logic is important.

But alone it will only take you so far. 

In order to really get people on board with your mission & leadership, you need to connect with their HEARTS through their emotions.

Yes, people are EMOTIONAL beings. People need to feel LOVED and VALUED around their emotions. 

How?

There are many ways to do this, but here are a few:

• • Be open and vulnerable. When you share your inner feelings & struggles, it creates a deep connection.
  • Be curious. Ask questions about THEM!
  • Use the phrase: “Enough about me, how about you? How are you, what’s new? Tell me about that trip, etc!”
  • Then LISTEN intently!
  • Be PRESENT. This makes people feel valued.
  • Engage. Create and hold eye contact. 
  • Share gratitude and love. When sincere, tell someone you love them early and often.

When you create connections around emotion, people put their guard down, you gain friendship and INFLUENCE which is the foundation of leadership.

In his chapter on the Law of Magnetism, John Maxwell makes an essential but not always obvious point: Your teammates likely have a lot in common with you. 

Why?

People tend to gravitate toward others who are similar. You might notice this in your friend groups, and it’s true of your team as well!

As Maxwell says, “The better leader you are, the better leaders you will attract.” 

If you’re unhappy with the people you attract, you must focus on your own personal and leadership development.

This is a notion I constantly remind myself of which is why I wanted to share with you.

Today’s message:

Remember that leadership is an inside game. Focus on your continued development and growth. Stay fit and active. Get involved with a positive/ supportive community and be a student of learning.

You will then attract the right people into your team and life using the law of magnetism. 

After a few weeks off for some variety, we are going to return to John Maxwell’s next 7 laws of leadership in the following weeks.

Specific to number 8, the Law of Inutrition..

Maxwell acknowledges that it’s more challenging than other laws to explain because it’s more fluid and less concrete. 

He describes, “The Law of Intuition is based on facts plus instinct plus other intangible factors, such as employee morale, organizational momentum, and relational dynamics.”

Because of this, intuition is much harder to teach although not impossible.

I also personally believe some people have better leadership instincts than others which is the “Nature” part of this equation.

Think Nature vs. Nurture. 

However, everyone can improve their leadership skills and become a strong leader via the nurture component for those who possess a student mindset.

This is why I strongly believe to be a student of leadership, you have to be a student of human nature.

With focus and intentionality, you can learn how people behave. 

And more specifically, learn from situations of high pressure or stress as this is when human nature is truly revealed. 

Today’s message:

Pay attention to how people behave.

Be observant on what things make them angry or happy. What things attract, repel or make people very emotional? 

Study people constantly with curiosity.

More specifically, learn from situations of high pressure or stress as this is when human nature is more deeply revealed. 

When you do, you will increase your intuition and become a better leader.

I trust the headline got your attention. 

While it’s absolutely sincere, I don’t mean it in the way you most likely initially thought.

The truth is Adolf Hitler was an evil-evil man.

Let me repeat, and evil-evil man.

But also an INCREDIBLE leader.

You see, while leadership usually gets a positive connotation.

When you break it down to the core..

Leadership is just a tool. 

By itself, it’s neutral.

Here are a couple of other examples of what I mean..

Some people say money is good, others say its bad.

In reality, money is a tool, it is neutral. 

It can be used to create beautiful things or destroy them.

Same with energy.

it’s a tool and also neutral.

It can power civilizations or destroy them (Atomic Bomb).

Why is this my leadership topic for today?

Because 2 weeks ago, I visited hell on Earth from the years of 1941-1945 via the concentration camp of Auschwitz in Poland.

This was Adolf Hitzler’s most famous death camp in World War 2 that killed over 1 million Jewish people alone. 

Truthfully, I didn’t want to go.

Which was the exact reason why I had to go.

If you ever thought if things were not going your way..

As a friend and very lovingly, I politely urge you to gain some perspective. 

This was the coaching I gave to myself.

As I needed a dose of this medicine.

So I am not preaching at you, rather with you.

And by experiencing just the memory made me realize I need to step up my gratitude, perspective & leadership game.

My message today?

Leadership is perspective. 

Perspective is leadership.

It’s also a very powerful tool that you have a duty, obligation, and responsibility to develop and use for good.

Please never forget this.

And as humans, I strongly believe we all have a duty, obligation, and responsibility to see what happened with our own eyes in Auschwitz at some point in your life to gain more perspective.

And if you have already much love, respect, and would love your feedback.

PS “Those who don’t study/remember the past are doomed to repeat it.” – George Santayana

At my core, I love people way more than other aspects of business.

Actually, it’s not even close.  

In fact, I believe the best leaders in the world have a deep love for people at their foundation.

As leadership (and people) are both very difficult. Very difficult. So you have to genuinely have a love for them, otherwise it’s too much.

And while this is at the foundation of strong leadership, that alone is not enough.

So I wanted to share another driver for me in the spirit of being vulnerable and raw with you.

Aside from loving people and seeing the incredible value of aligning people towards a common goal. 

Which ultimately is just what leadership is..

I’ve also learned that leading by example, which is referred to as the “Morale Authority”, is the most influential way to lead.

The hard part?

At my core, I’m far from perfect. 

In fact, I have many many flaws. Being an addict is 1 of the most severe. 

I’ve been addicted to drugs & alcohol just to name a few. These are all very selfish and not selfish endeavors. 

I wish it wasn’t so, but this is my ugly truth.

However, I’ve also learned through both life and my Stoic Philosophy, you can turn your biggest weakness into your biggest strength.

As left to my own devices with my selfish addiction, I could easily be on the streets & homeless in the most severe circumstances.

Sounds extreme, but it’s true. 

In fact, every time I see a homeless addict, I see a vision for what my life could easily become if I don’t focus on serving others.

I am the German Shepherd Bedros refers to.

However, the thing that keeps me grounded is my desire to add value to you, our team, owners and clients.

As if every day I strive to be a better leader for myself and others. This way, I can use this accountability to redirect my darkness to the light. 

So in the most selfless and selfish ways, my love for people and serving you, keeps me clean of alcohol, my biggest Kryptonite 24 hours at a time since December 2016.

My leadership message today?

Turn whatever is your weakness or lowest moment in your life, into a positive and for battling cry in the service other people. 

When you do this, your leadership grows and your following wins.