We have a deeply rooted human need to be surrounded by good, quality people. In leadership, we are in constant pursuit of these people. At times it can feel that the search comes up empty, but if we only open our eyes, they are already there. They are THE reason we are effective leaders.
Good, Quality People
I am coming off a week at the beach. For me, that daily routine starts with hauling my fishing gear out to the beach while it is still dark out. I put the pole holders in the sand, organize the rods, tie off the rigs, bait the hooks, and wade out into the ocean to cast the first line as the sun begins to rise. It’s a happy place for me.
The beauty of this fishing experience is that it limits my decision making. After getting everything set up, I watch the rod tips. The fish tugs. I set the hook. Enjoy the fight! A rare moment of simplicity in my complex world.
This state of mind allows me to slow down for a few days. It provides me the opportunity to reflect on the good in my life. Not the material things in life, but the good, quality people I am surrounded by in life and leadership.
Here are the five characteristics of the good, quality people we need to surround ourselves with:
Humble
Nobody desires to be surrounded by arrogant, boastful, and self-serving people. I have even gone so far as to lump “ambitious” people into this category. Ambition is a characteristic that has been propped up as positive for far too long. The problem with ambition is that it only benefits the ambitious individual, not others.
We desire to be with those who are humble and selfless. C.S. Lewis said it this way, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking about yourself less.” These individuals are refreshing because they are self-aware, one of the most underrated attributes of good, quality people.
Humble people are good, quality people.
Grateful
“Gratitude is never silent.” Those are words that have stuck with me ever since Pastor J.R. Lee uttered them during a leadership development session with our team. We are internally grateful people, just not great at expressing it through our spoken and written words. We are genuinely grateful for those who surround us, but do we express it?
My form of gratitude expression is an intentionally worded handwritten thank you note. The busyness of my world can keep that form of gratitude Stuck in the desk drawer. My intentions are to make it a daily priority, but that doesn’t always determine my direction. I desire for my direction to better align with my intentions.
Grateful people are good, quality people.
Hard Working
A characteristic that doesn’t get talked about enough today is work ethic. There is an old saying that, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” Those Gritty People that will simply get it done, no matter the time of the hour or the hours required.
Work ethic is a diminishing quality in this world. Those who have the willingness to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty are a dying breed. I often tell my children that if they are willing to work hard in life, any dream they have is achievable. Hard work can be a great differentiator for them.
Hard working people are good, quality people.
Loving
Love can be an uncomfortable word for some. It can be jaded by our pasts. Failed relationships and traumatic experiences can tarnish the definition of love.
Love can be viewed as over the top too. The story book kind, fairytales, and other unrealistic expectations. It can sometimes be reserved for only our closest, most intimate relationships.
It is so much more than that. I often share this verse when teaching on the subject. It’s hard to find a better definition than this:
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.
Pay close attention to verse 8, “Love never fails.” It is an unconditional, no strings attached, and genuine offering that has the endurance to overcome any obstacle we may face in life and leadership. People are always worth loving.
Loving people are good, quality people.
Authentic
Oscar Wilde once said, “Be yourself, everyone else is taken.” I absolutely love people who are authentic. Not fake, not artificial, and not disingenuous.
Authenticity is infectious. It inspires us to be comfortable in our own skin and puts us at ease allowing us to be the person we were uniquely designed to be. When all else fails in this crazy world, we have one last resort…to be authentically us. It always works.
Authentic people are good, quality people.
Conclusion
When I grow up, I want to be like the good, quality people in my world! Those who surround me daily in life and leadership who make me better. The ones that exemplify these five qualities. Without them, I fall substantially short.
I was recently asked, “How is life and work going?” Typically, my go to response is, “Busy.” On this day, my response was different. I paused for a second, thought about it, and responded with, “I am surrounded by good, quality people.”
It’s an amazing place to be when you can provide that answer. Can you say the same?