The Power of Encouragement

It's certainly no secret that times are tough. Each day seems to bring another crisis. Millions of jobs lost. A nearly equal number of home foreclosures. Banks in shambles. Retirement accounts wiped out. Auto industry fighting for survival. Flash in place of substance. Liquor sales up, church attendance down. Swine Flu. Good, honest, hard-working people we personally know and love losing everything through no fault of their own.

Those who claim to understand these things say that we have bottomed-out, and that brighter days are just around the corner. I hope they're right. Honestly, I'm not so sure - and I don't know if they're sure, either. Perhaps their words are meant for one purpose: to provide encouragement. If I'm correct about that, would a little encouragement be such a terrible thing right now? After all, we can't just throw up our arms in surrender.


Sure, this would be an appropriate place for a discussion about hope. But I want to approach this on a more granular level. I see "hope" as the satellite photo from thirty-thousand feet, and "encouragement" as the street-level snapshot. In other words, hope is something we typically hold for the future. Encouragement is something we can provide right here and now, as is affirmation. To me, they go together like PB & J.


Let me give you an example of how encouragement affects us. I have a two-year-old Labrador Retriever named Jersey. Like all young pups, she has a seemingly limitless amount of energy. She and I get out of the house for a couple of four-mile runs each week. Her proper place is at my side no matter what she might want to chase - other dogs, squirrels, birds, a blowing leaf, whatever - it doesn't take much for her to switch into "stalk" mode. When Jersey pays attention and stays close to me like she is supposed to, I affirm her, saying things like "good girl", or "good doggie". Sometimes I'll even reach down and pat her back or give her a quick scratch behind the ears. When she lags behind, I encourage her with positive commands we have trained her to understand. Each and every time I affirm or encourage her, she zips out in front of me. My words and the tone of my voice give her an instant boost of energy to the point that I often have to speed up just to keep pace with her, or end up telling her to slow down. Why? Because praise from her Poppa - even when she is simply doing what I expect - means a great deal to her. Sure, she's a dog, but what does that tell you?


Now apply that example to your people. Whether they're meeting or exceeding your expectations - or lagging behind - I'm willing to bet you lunch that they will experience an immediate energy boost of their own if you'll only affirm and encourage them. Like Jersey, they will feel good about their part in the task at hand; they will appreciate that you took time to acknowledge them; and their work will reflect as much. Who knows, you might even have to pick up your own pace to keep up with them...


Allow me to wrap up by saying this: It's far too easy (and quite immature) to play a game of "gotcha", trying to catch someone doing something wrong. Make it a point to catch someone doing something right. Encourage those around you, every day, all the time. Trust me, it will pay off - unless you start scratching people behind the ears, in which case you're beyond any help I could possibly offer.


J.

Commodus, Part II

Unlike his movie counterpart, the real Commodus was indeed a skilled warrior. Facing wild beasts and the bound-together lame wasn't enough of a test for him. In time, he entered the arena with weapons of war, and faced the finest gladiators in Rome. And he beat them all. He was truly a man of courage. But though he was a brave warrior with great skill, his character was another matter.

Commodus spent much of his time trying to impress the people and proclaim his own glory. He essentially turned the palace into a brothel, spent countless nights wandering around drunk, and had his own family members exiled and/or killed - along with anyone who chose to oppose him. He also butted heads with the Senate, who greatly despised his antics. Commodus considered himself the new "founder" of Rome, even going so far as to rename the empire after himself. He also thought of himself as a modern-day Hercules, often wearing animal skins and carrying a club. And he changed the Roman calendar, renaming each month after one of the titles he had given to himself.

In the mean time, the barbarians in the north - with whom Commodus had previously struck a peace accord (giving in to their terms), continued to inch closer to the empire's borders - all while Commodus abused and wasted his influence in unthinkable ways.

The breaking point for the Senate came when Commodus declared that he intended to accept the honor of being Consul - the highest and most revered office in all of Rome - while dressed as a gladiator. The night before he was to accept the consulship, those closest to him had him drugged in his sleep and strangled to death. He was only thirty-one years old, having served as Emperor for twelve short years.

Although fictitious, my favorite scene from the movie Gladiator comes when Maximus reveals himself to Commodus on the arena floor. We see Commodus turn white, jaw agape, as Maximus glares into his eyes, speaking his name and vow of revenge. Some say Commodus reacted the way he did because he was surprised to see Maximus alive. I say it's because Commodus immediately knew he didn't measure up - not as a man, and certainly not as a leader.

In reality, it's easy to see where Commodus went wrong. From day one it was all about his own pleasure and entertainment. He used and abused his people and his position, failing to lead in every imaginable way. The rapport he had with the commoners was based solely on his exploits on the coliseum floor - which was nothing but a distraction from the damage he was doing as Emperor.

His character was unexamined, his authority unchallenged, and his leadership unacceptable to his followers. As they say, "don't be that guy". Instead, check your ego at the door, examine your motives, understand the power of your influence, and make it your mission to invest in the people who choose to follow you. The success of your organization depends on it.

J.