Understanding people is a life long journey. Part of the reason I went into Psychology, family therapy, and now coaching individuals is because people fascinate me.  I want to understand them.

I'm amazed at all kinds of people and what they do (and don't do). I travel regularly so I pass the time by watching different kinds of people while they are in the airport.  Some are eating, others are sleeping, and yet others have found themselves in deep conversations with complete strangers while they wait to board their planes.  Simply amazing styles, sizes, appearances, attitudes, all the way from the the sublime to the real weirdos.  Did I say that out loud?

Yet no matter who the person is, we are all basically the same with similar insecurities. I don't care if you're the President of the United States or a street urchin, each of us wants to feel like we count.  We want to matter to someone.  We want to matter to society. 

So, here's a challenge for you.  Find three truths about people that you can help change and do one each day. You don't have to do three in one day, just choose one truth where you can make a difference in one person's life and do it. Here is an excerpt from John Maxwell's book, Today Matters:

"People are insecure....give them confidence. People want to feel special...sincerely compliment them. People desire a better tomorrow...show them hope. People need to be understood...listen to them. People are selfish...speak to their needs first. People get emotionally low...encourage them. People want to be associated with success...help them win.

When you understand people, you don't take their shortcomings personally but instead help them to succeed by speaking to their insecurities.  And by doing so, you lay the groundwork for good relationships and effective leadership.

For those of you so inclined, check out what the Psalmist says about God and our insecurities in Psalm 112.

rb