Thought Tweet #608 We seek out fun and rewards, even adventure...and then, out of the blue, a small change raises the fur on our backs.

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

People get bored quickly and remove that problem by seeking out input, fun, novel experiences, pleasures, and adventure. When people are actively working at replacing their boredom with something more stimulating they inevitably come face to face with new things, sometimes surprises, and sometimes shocking outcomes....they experience a range of different aspects of changes to the status quo.

All of this is to be expected and is, to various degrees, accepted....by each and every one of us.

But, try telling someone to make a change. Anyone.

If it's the last thing I do I'm gonna change that person!

How much brainpower has been consumed with schemes and dreams around changing other people?

I mean:

• we observe what other people do and say, 
• we assume we know what they are thinking or we choose to believe that's not an important factor,
• we think about how those other people are all wrong, mistaken, and making errors,
• we concoct a vision of their better future, 
• we compare notes with accomplices to make sure we get our arguments airtight, and
• we set about persuading the wrong, mistaken, error-making people how to go about getting their better future.

How much brainpower has been consumed doing that?

I suspect many of us have spent considerable time in that I'm-going-to-change-other-people zone. 

It isn't time well spent, is it?

When it comes to influencing people, how can you do better?

That's a question many leaders ask themselves...and think about. The question spreads to and sometimes consumes leadership teams - How can we inspire our people to do better?

Leaders can accept the present level of their influence on their followers or they can decide they would like to expand and improve the level of influence they have on their followers.

They can take and make their business more people-focused or they can carry on as is.

If leaders decide they want to influence then they must first adjust their own character/personality.

Perhaps, you find that last statement ridiculous?

• Nonsense - that's the tail wagging the dog!
• Enough - bleeding heart stuff!

Or perhaps, you find it basic common sense?

• Of course - you must give before you receive!
• Yes - that follows Emerson's 'Law of Compensation'.