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Irresistible leaders know people are essentially the same as each other

This is the second of many secrets from Virtual Group's Irresistible Leadersip Program. You can also hear Bruce interviewed about the second secret.

The second secret is, "Irresistible Leaders Know People are Essentially the Same as Each Other.

I love the paradox that this is the exact opposite of the first secret (see the last Strategic Snippet) that, Irresistible Leaders Know People are Different From Each Other.

So what do I mean?

The paradox

The great paradox of leadership is that while great leaders know people are different they also know that at a deeper level people are the same. Some things you simply must get right because they are based on our common humanity.

For more on Irresistible Leadership

We all want to be loved, appreciated and included

Irresistible leaders know people are the same. We all want to be loved, appreciated and included. They know that they won't go too far wrong as long as they do this.

Irresistible leaders are experts in human nature. They know that under our veneer of sophistication we are quite primitive animals. They know that we are not highly intelligent as a species rather clever, versatile and inventive. They know we are we are easily led and highly subject to group influence.

They understand that for 99.8% of our history we have been tribal hunters and gatherers. This is important to remember because the world we evolved to be part of is profoundly different from the environment we now find at work.

We still have the same human nature that existed 250,000 years ago when man first emerged on to the Savannah Plains ... both the strengths and the weaknesses, so it's no wonder we are hard-wired in so many ways.

The two basic human drives are to reduce pain and increase pleasure; research shows that the drive to reduce pain is even stronger than to increase pleasure.

The drive to belong

One of the strongest drives we have built into us is the drive to belong. The worst possible punishment was to be banished from the tribe and deserted. It still is. Because of the way we evolved, we are hard-wired to feel strongly about a few people, short distances, and relatively brief intervals of time that were important to us. We are hard-wired to be needed and included and to cooperate. Today, because of evolution, we still thrive in social groups of no more than 150 people and work groups of 10 to 15 people. Many managers still overvalue the intellect even though evidence shows we are hard-wired so our emotions rule.

The need to be loved

We also need to be loved. By 'love' I mean, being appreciated for who were are. Irresistible leaders care deeply about helping others find their uniqueness. I call it genius. They help people be the best they can possibly be. They help others make a contribution, bigger and more significant than they thought possible. When they do this people will walk over glass to follow them.

Jesus was right when he said the 'golden rule': "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." (Matt. 7: 12).

Call To Action

In good times poor leadership can be hidden, but in bad times poor leadership is a recipe for disaster that you can't afford.

This is the perfect time to invest in the leadership of your future. The investment is small. The returns are LARGE.

Now is the right time!

Please give me a call if you'd like your people to be irresistible leaders; or if you'd just like to know more.

In the meantime, think BIG,

Bruce Holland
Virtual Group Business Consultants
Hutt City, Wellington, New Zealand
Phone +6421620456 or Skype Bruce.Holland
Web site: http://www.virtual.co.nz

Bruce helps large mature organisations be more focused, fast and flexible. Places where people have more depth, connection and meaning. "Liberating the Human spirit at work"

Bruce helps large mature organisations be more focused, fast and flexible. Places where people have more depth, connection and meaning. He is one of New Zealand's most experienced change agents and is the founder of Virtual Group Business Consultants Limited.

"Liberating the Human spirit at work."

Key words: Leadership, leadership development, leadership management, leadership training, leadership program, leadership skills