Value Everyone

This is the fourth and final pillar to success, Value Everyone.  This is the most important of all.

Merriam Webster defines value as having relative worth, utility or importance, something intrinsically valuable or desirable.

With this definition we can assume that to value everyone is to treat others as though they have worth, utility, and importance; that they have an intrinsic value and are desirable.

To value everyone is to treat others as you want to be treated, to be kind, to include, to speak with, to work to understand others, even those very different from yourself.

So what does the above look like?  For years I told my daughters that people different from them were "Not wrong, just different."  People have intrinsic value regardless of job, station, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability, etc.  

It's easy to be nice or speak to your boss or those "above" you in life.  But what about those "equal" to or "beneath" you?  Do you speak to the janitor, the bus driver, the maid, etc.?  They are people too.  Get to know them, their name, greet them, and take time to listen to them.  More often than not they have interesting stories, stories of value and of worth.

Each year at work when we onboard our interns, I challenge them to look everyone in the eye at work, smile and greet them--a challenge I take on myself.  It doesn't matter who the other person is; they should get into the habit of looking at people, smiling, and saying hello.  Most people will reciprocate, and you might even strike up a conversation and make a new friend--or at least a new acquaintance. However, some won't look up or even acknowledge me, let alone them; these I take as a challenge and make sure I speak to them every chance I get.  It may not be that they are jerks. It could be that they are introverted, shy, feel uncomfortable, etc.  These I keep greeting and smiling at until one day, they finally do likewise.  

I believe we all want to be valued and loved.  And I believe that positive energy is contagious, that it fuels others and draws them to you.  It's amazing what a simple "Good morning" or a "Happy Monday" with a smile will do for others.  In fact, I believe most people are drawn to happy, energy giving people.  It's for this reason that I encourage my people to be "attractive." By this, I don't mean in appearance but in how they behave, how they treat others, and the energy they give off.

Interestingly, over time I've found that when I'm happy and giving energy to others, I get a charge out of it myself...so much so that I make it a habit of looking at strangers as I walk to work, smiling and saying good morning.  And at work, I like to walk the floor first thing in the morning and greet everyone.  Valuing others charges me up!

Last point...my last two promotions I did not seek and in fact I at first declined.  I never wanted to be a leader or an executive.  I liked being an individual contributor, doing my thing, being accountable only for myself, and going home at night with no worries.  However, my bosses wanted me to do more, to lead others.  At two totally different companies, from two totally different bosses, they both told me the same thing when I asked "why me"?  They said I was being promoted because "people trust you".  You see, over time I had valued others, gotten to know them, listened to them, etc.  People sought me out for my opinion.  It was not uncommon to find someone at my door talking. I didn't seek them out, but yet they felt comfortable talking with me.  I was "attractive".  It wasn't me they were seeking, but the value they felt when speaking with me, they got positive energy from me, and that is attractive.

For all of the above reasons I say, Value Everyone!  It's the right thing to do, it gives energy back to you and you might even get promoted. :)