The world that we are living in is filled with innumerable problems. It could be argued, that many of the problems that exist in our world are the direct result of the inability that people have to get along with other people. The problem of all problems is that human beings have not figured out how to work together and live in harmony with other human beings. Spend an hour or so watching the local, national and international news, and you will quickly conclude that the most significant problems that exist in our world are rooted in interpersonal conflict and strife. This conclusion can be drawn as we look at the escalating divorce rates within our homes, the racial hostilities that still exist in so many of our communities, and the number of countries that are presently in conflict with one another.
The corporate world is not immune from the problem of all problems. Interpersonal conflict within organizations is crippling the necessary teamwork and interdepartmental cooperation that increases the kind of organizational efficiency that drives profits. Unified, supportive and synergistic spirits between individuals and departments make indispensable contributions to the positive morale and camaraderie that are required to increase the bottom-line productivity and profitability of organizations.
Effective leaders within every industry acknowledge that both life and business are all about relationships. It is one of the primary responsibilities of a leader to influence those that they lead to work together in harmony with others. One of the keys to relational success is bringing an investment mentality to our relationships. All relationships are like emotional bank accounts, where we are either making deposits or withdrawals in our interactions with others. Wise leaders acknowledge, that what cancer is to our physical lives, selfishness is to our relational lives. An investment mentality is a mentality that is driven primarily to make investments in others rather than withdrawals. An investment mentality is a preoccupation with giving rather than with taking, with the ultimate goal of investing in and serving others.
When leaders are modeling and teaching others to approach relationships with an investment mentality, the potential exists to get a group of people overcoming the problem of all problems. It is unfortunate that so many people have complicated what leads to relational success. If individuals and groups of individuals are willing to unselfishly invest in others, their relationships can and will work. Outstanding leaders practice consistently choosing to place the needs, concerns and well-being of others before their own as servant-leaders. This practice will positively impact others, and will foster a spirit of community within an organization. This spirit will inspire both leaders and team-members alike, to bring an investment mentality to each other, and their customers, leading to personal, professional and organizational success.
