I read this fantastic article written by Dr. John C. Maxwell about relationships. Very powerful and got lot of nuggets from it.
From Slot Machine to Stock Market: Investment Strategies for Relationships
-Dr. John C. Maxwell
In the early years of my career, I did not have a correct view of
life. I approached life as if it were a slot machine. I wanted to put
as little as possible into it, and I always hoped to hit the jackpot.
I'm embarrassed to say that I often had a similar approach in my
interaction with people. I was more focused on what people could do for
me than what I could do for them. As a result, I would try to make
relational "withdrawals" without ever having made any deposits.
Needless to say, I was not very successful.
As I matured, I begin to place a higher value on people. As I made
this transition, I noticed a fascinating development: the more I gave
to relationships, the more I seemed to gain from relationships. In my
book, Winning With People, I named this phenomenon The Boomerang Principle. What you put into relationships has a way of coming back to you.
During my time in leadership, I've noticed that people fall into
three broad categories with regards to how they view relationships.
1) Takers
Takers receive and never give. They are the people in life who have
a me-first mentality. They try to extract as much as they can from the
relationships in their lives, and they rarely, if ever, consider giving
back.
2) Traders
Traders receive and then give. Traders will only send you a
Christmas card, if you've mailed one to them. They picture
relationships as an equation in need of balance. If someone helps them,
they feel a debt of gratitude. If they aid another person, they expect
a favor in return.
3) Investors
Investors give and then receive. These are the people who give
purely for the joy of giving. They add value to others, not as part of
a cold calculation, but as a habit. Although doing so may not earn them
an instant return, in the long run they reap the gratitude and goodwill
of those they have helped.
Investment Strategies for Relationships
Instead of viewing relationships as a slot machine, picture them
like the stock market. To get rich, make regular deposits in people
over an extended period of time. At first, you may feel like the value
of what you're putting in isn't worth the investment. However, like the
stock market, in the long run, you'll reap dividends and earn rewards.
1) Think "Others First"
Human nature tends to focus us on personal needs, but investing in
relationships requires us to prioritize others. Instead of
self-advancement, think others-enhancement. Like a responsible
investor, resist the temptation to "time" the relational market, using
someone only for short-term gain. That's a strategy doomed to fail. On
the contrary, make a habit of adding value in relationships and trust
that the long-term results will be in your favor.
2) Focus on the Investment, Not the Return
If you've ever purchased stocks personally, then you know the agony
of watching the vicissitudes of the market. Like a roller coaster, your
portfolio climbs up one day only to lurch down the next day. Instead of
agonizing over returns, a shrewd investor focuses on making the
investment. The same principle holds true in relationships. Don't
expect specific and immediate benefit from your relational inputs.
Through time, you'll be taken care of as long as you're willing to
invest.
3) Make Educated Investments
Not all investments yield the same interest, and not all
relationships produce the same reward. As a leader, make investing in
others a general principle, but be deliberate about putting energy into
low-risk, high-reward relationships. Seek out talented people with
teachable dispositions, and offer your relational capital to those who
will make the most of it.
4) Initiate the investment
A stockbroker won't hack into your bank account and invest money on
your behalf. You have to be willing to take the first step. Don't be
stingy with your relational investments, giving only to those who've
first given to you. Rather, take responsibility for setting the tone of
adding value in your relationships.