I have tried to write this blog several times now. I certainly credit this one statement to making my road, specifically in business, a smoother one. However, I’ve failed to write it b/c I’ve wanted to get it just right. I’m not going to sweat it anymore.

The statement (teaching) stands on it’s own. I’m going to leave it to you to see where and how it applies in your life.

“Praise Publicly Leads to Leverage Privately.”

I first heard this teaching from Andy Stanley at one of the earliest Catalyst conferences and, for me, there are just so many positive implications of remembering this.

It’s really pretty obvious. Most people want the respect of their leader. They would also like to feel that they have input and influence with their leader. If that’s you. . .then support your leader. In public, support his decisions, his direction, his initiatives, etc.

You would think that most people would do this anyway, however, you’d be mistaken. My experience has been that the majority of people feel it’s more important for people to know their opinion on the direction the company’s headed. Their opinion on whether the leader (boss) is doing a good job or not. It’s a rare person that says, I support this decision b/c I support my leader and then takes action in bringing others on board.

Be this person and A) you will stand out and B) you will eventually earn the right to speak into these decisions behind closed doors (Leverage Privately)

I can tell you from personal experience that as a leader, I knew what team members had my back. I knew the ones that were supporting the decisions I was making. This earned them the right to shut my door and speak into those decisions b/c I knew that even if my final decision was one they disagreed with, they would still support it and many times, their input influenced, if not directly altered, my decision.

No matter what role you play in the company, from the receptionist to the C Suite this teaching applies. Begin to practice it today and you will be on your way to the influence you desire.

Praise Publicly Leads to Leverage Privately