How do people feel about you?

How do people feel about you? 

Are they supportive and cooperative, or, are they restless, tentative and uncertain about you and what you’re trying to do?

First, let’s be clear, everyone is not going to like you—no matter what you do.  Treat those people with Christian charity and move on; don’t waste time trying to make people like you. 

Afterall, while it is nice and even preferable, being liked is not the goal.  You’re not running a popularity contest, you’re running to win (I Corinthians 9:24).

But…

If the people in your life, are for the most part, good decent people and they are not that excited about you and what you’re trying to do, it is most likely one of three reasons:

• They feel uncertain about you because they do not know what you’re trying to do.
  • A clarity issue–help them understand.
• They feel fearful or suspicious of you because they do know why you’re trying to do.
  • A character issue–let them hear your heart.
• Or, it could mean they actually do know what you’re trying to do and understand why you’re trying to do it and can see that you are wrong!
  • A competency issue–listen, learn, and gather consensus before moving forward.

The ONE THING for today: When working with people, never underestimate the importance of feelings.  We like to fool ourselves by thinking people make fact-based decisions.  That is seldom the case.  Most of the time they go with their gut-feelings and how they feel about you and what you’re trying to do is a make or break issue.