Never take people for granted!

Isn’t it obvious really! Yet so many politicians, businesses, employers. families and people in general in all situations fall into this trap.

Leadership is all about building and maintaining relationships, and one of the most important things to remember as a leader is to never take people for granted.

Whether it’s your team members, customers, or stakeholders, every person you interact with has something valuable to offer, and it’s your job as a leader to recognise and appreciate that value.

One of the biggest mistakes that leaders make is assuming that people will always be there, no matter what. They take their team members for granted, assuming that they will always be motivated and engaged without any extra effort on the leader’s part. They take customers for granted, assuming that they will always come back without any extra effort to build and maintain a relationship. And they take stakeholders for granted, assuming that they will always support the organisation without any extra effort to build and maintain trust.

The reality, of course, is that people are not always going to be there. They will leave, either for another opportunity or simply because they no longer feel valued or appreciated. And when they do, it can be a huge blow to the organization and to the leader’s reputation.

To avoid this, leaders must make a conscious effort to build and maintain relationships. This means treating people with respect and kindness, being attentive to their needs and concerns, and always showing appreciation for their contributions. It also means being proactive in building relationships, rather than waiting for them to develop on their own.

Another important aspect of not taking people for granted is being transparent with them. People want to feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves and that their contributions are making a difference. By being transparent and open with them, leaders can help them to feel more connected to the organisation and more invested in its success.

Overall, the key to being a successful leader is to remember that every person you interact with has something valuable to offer. Whether it’s a team member, customer, or stakeholder, every person has the potential to make a significant impact on the organization and its success. By treating them with respect and kindness, being attentive to their needs and concerns, and always showing appreciation for their contributions, leaders can help to build and maintain strong relationships that will ultimately drive the organisation’s success.