LEADERSHIP LAW #9
Reflections on John C. Maxwell’s “21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership”
I I have a friend who complained that everything terrible would happen to him. And it did. His food came out overcooked at restaurants, the IRS audited him one year, he is tall and muscular, but still diabetic, and his romantic relationships always took a turn for the worst. Because of this, he copes with underlying anger in his personality. He comes off too abrasive for most people. He thinks the world is out to get him. I believe he is affected by the Law of Magnetism. He attracts negativity through negativity.
I have seen several employees who fall into this same pitfall. I remember a former colleague who was afraid that on each shift at his restaurant, one of the employees was going to call out…and they did. He never had a backup plan, and instead, he enjoyed being the victim. He loved complaining.
By allowing negativity to consume you as a leader, you will attract similar players in your environment. Before you know it, your department and company will become a cesspool of dissenting employees.
Who you are is who you attract — John C. Maxwell
The opposite is also exact. If you are someone with a passion for innovation, then you will begin to attract like-minded people. Magnetism is like an invisible beacon sent out into the atmosphere that calls in all those who are similar.
I worked with a Golf Professional who instructs some of the best junior pros in the business. His character is upbeat, driven by a determination to be the best, and focused on the other. When he became the leader of that department, immediately like-minded characters began to apply to work with him. He naturally attracts better golf professionals, better students, and becomes a better golfer in the process.
I asked him one day if he gets to play much golf anymore since he always instructs. He told me that if I could believe it, he is a better golfer by teaching and plays a lot less. He said the process of osmosis, being around greatness, has rubbed off on him and changed the way he plays the game.
The StoryTether
If we want to attract the best in the business, then we have to become the best in the industry. If we’re going to promote mediocrity, then all we have to do is wake-up and do a half-ass job. Leaders bring in the talent that they genuinely seek within themselves.
