To Inspire:

Earlier this month I shared some business leader training I’m doing in the area of encouragement. And while I feel like I am an encourager, I can always improve (one of our core values here is “excellence – we seek to make it better!”) – with my family, friends, clients, and those I encounter each day. If you’d like to be a better encourager, here are the eight encouragement disciplines I shared previously. And while they’re focused on youth, every one of them can and should be applied to everyone, regardless of age.

1. Encourage the Who – focus more on a person’s inherent worth and dignity rather than their performance;
2. Catch Someone Doing Right – young people need to be praised when they’ve given effort and are striving to live up to their potential;
3. Win-Win – by being a good follower, young people can also become good leaders;
4. Hard Work – realizing one’s inherent greatness comes from living a life of discipline and hard work;
5. Laugh, Cry, Believe – helping young people share their emotions in constructive ways leads to healthier, happier lives;
6. Little Stuff – it’s the little things we do for one another consistently over time that strengthens lives, families, and communities;
7. Leave a legacy – by building a life of caring and loving others you will create a powerful legacy that lives on after you’re gone;
8. Love no matter what – at the very bottom of every problem and difficulty love is the ultimate answer.

Today, I’d like to share two ideas on how you and I can “encourage the who.” In other words, how can we focus on someone’s inherent dignity and worth, rather than what they do and how well or not well they do something.

First, make it a goal this coming week to let 10 people in your life (family, friends, colleagues) know how much you think of them. In our training, we’re encouraged to use the phrase, “you’re amazing!” I like that as every person is amazing – an incredible totally unique person made in the image of God. Using that definition, everyone is amazing and letting them know they are will create a moment that will bless you and them. Other phrases might be, “have I told you how special you are” or “I’m so grateful to know you – you’re a remarkable human being.” It may take some practice but commit to it and see how it goes – I bet you’ll be “amazed!”

Second, perhaps with other people, simply ask they how their parents are doing (assuming they are living). Choosing a close relationship of theirs and asking about that person(s) is so affirming to someone – it reveals you care about who they are and not just what they do.

Both ideas will help you be a person that “encourages the who (and not the what).” Everyone needs encouragement – practice this first discipline and you’ll find your life growing in impact and in joy!

Have a great weekend!

Written by Matt Palmer, Partner & Co-Founder