Making Others Look Good!

Gone are the days where we need to make others look bad in order to make ourselves look good.

In order to survive and compete in an ever political workplace, we must learn to adopt the concept of Making Others Look Good.

Let's face it. Be in it your work or personal life, we are all ever appreciative when a friend or co-worker goes the extra mile by making us look good in front of others. Never underestimate how powerful a simple gesture or comment can have towards the positive reinforcement of another. By nodding in agreement or showing a simple 2 thumbs up towards a friend of colleague can leave a multitude of confidence in the eyes of others. Do it at the right time and place, and you'll be amazed at how far it reaches.

In my personal life, I see many who would not hesitate to put down others the moment they sense a difference in opinions. Why do we choose to discredit a person just to add credit to ourselves? Is this how we want others to define the person we are? Stop for a minute, listen to their opinions thoroughly and offer your own views but NEVER attempt to brush off, ignore or worse still, throw sarcasm that would do no more than belittle that person in front of you. If someone attempts that with you, try this for starters; smile and offer an apology that you're sorry he/she disagrees. Having a difference of opinion is what makes us see things clearer and that is exactly what strengthens the friendship / organization isn't it?

I am truly blessed to have people around me that make me look good. My wife is a true example of such a person. Aside from the obvious that she makes anyone look good just by standing next to her (yes dear, my admiration of your beauty never ceases), she goes a step further by always seeming to know when to compliment me in ways I could never imagined! She makes people around her shine just because she sees all of them in that manner. I live each day reminding myself to do the same to others just as she had and is still doing for me.

My long time business partner whom I had develop a strong friendship with is another such example. I would not be the chairman of our group or in the board of our associations without your relentless and unconditional support! Almost 15 years ago, we had a dream to bring out the best in each other and looking back, I have to be honest and say that you certainly brought out more in me than I did in you. Yet because of who you are and what you did, your recognition in this industry is paying it back in more ways than one. Thank you for believing in bringing out the best in me and people around you. Here's to the last 15 years and hopefully a good 15 more together!

Take a look around and observe the successful stories of people these days. The true leaders today are servant leaders and they certainly did not get their success by backstabbing and destroying people around them. In contrast, they serve and believe in idealism of leading from the front line. By doing so, they naturally bring out the best from others around them.

At this day and age, office politics is a commonality and most people will do what it takes to survive. Even if this means shooting down the ideas of others and pursuing their own agenda at the expense of their team. We'll be wise to remember that selfish behaviour is a losing proposition in the long run. Mark my words, such characters will not go far and whatever little success they are enjoying now are merely temporary and unsustainable in the long run. The key to sustainable success is to bring out the best in others so that they may bring out the best in you.