Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Don't Ask...Do

Building great relationships requires active participation on your part.  That means showing the people who mean something to you that you genuinely care about them not simply by telling them but by showing them.

We've all heard the saying "actions speak louder than words," and boy is it true.  It's easy for us to tell someone that we are there for them, that we support them and want nothing but the best for them.  Words are easy.  It's something entirely different to actually get off our rumps and take some sort of action to really make those words mean something.

I read an article recently that hit the nail on the head.  When someone important to you is facing something - a difficult task, a challenging situation, or an opportunity of some kind, rather than ask them how you can help, dive in and just help.  Don't wait for them to tell you what they need because by that time its likely too late to really help.  Dive in! Take some action to show them you are front and center and ready to help any way that you can.

If your friend is interviewing for a new job tomorrow, show up at their door with a cup of coffee and a bagel first thing tomorrow morning and offer to drive them.

If your best friend's son's soccer team made the playoffs show up to root for them.

If your co-worker is struggling with a project don't ask if there is anything you can do.  Saddle up next to them and help with the heavy lifting.

If your boss is stressed over where things stand this quarter, show up with some well thought-out ideas on paper about what you think can be done to turn things around.

You get the idea?

Actions speak louder than words.  They also leave indelible marks which will forever Ripple in the hearts and minds of the people you most want them to.

Ripple On!!!

1 comment:

thomsinger said...

Steve-

One of your best articles (nah, they are all great). Seriously, too few people have "Follow Through DNA". They talk a solid game, but take no action to serve others.

Like you said, sometimes it is something small that is all that is necessary to have impact.

Your telling people to "just do it" might be all the encouragement that one person needs: they take action and help someone who really appreciates it,,,,, and it starts a bunch of ripples!