“There is no more noble occupation in the world than to assist another human being – to help someone succeed.” – Alan Loy McGinnis.
We have been exploring this teaching series for the past six weeks on BECOMING A POSITIVE INFLUENCER using the acronym INFLUENCER. We have now elaborated on five of the qualities:
I = Integrity with people,
N = Nurturing other people,
F = Faith in people,
L = Listening to people, and
U = Understanding people.
Our focus today is the sixth quality, E = Enlarging people.
By enlarging others, we not only contribute to their growth but also find fulfillment and purpose in our own lives. Author and Poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” Happiness may be found only by helping others to find it and we only rise by lifting others.
To effectively ENLARGE OTHERS, you must begin with yourself because you cannot give what you don’t have, and it is only LARGE people that can ENLARGE others! Dr. John Maxwell said, “The best way to enlarge others is to enlarge yourself first.” ENLARGING OTHERS is an investment that takes time, money, and work and it is one of the most significant things you can do for others.
ENLARGING OTHERS is a MENTORING PROCESS that offers people the opportunity to turn their potential into reality and their dreams into destiny. MENTORS rescue people from TORMENTORS and the absence of a COACH influence in people`s life is a ticket to REPROACH. If you want to go far and fast get a COACH. If you want to dabble through life, go on your own!
Ben Jonson, the English playwright, and poet said, “He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master.” This emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance and learning from others, particularly mentors. It suggests that relying solely on one’s knowledge and experience can lead to limitations and mistakes, whereas being open to learning from those who have expertise and wisdom can be beneficial for personal growth and development.
Dr. John Maxwell offered that when we enlarge others, we do several things:
[1]. Raise their level of living.
[2]. Increase their potential for success.
[3]. Increase their capacity for growth.
[4]. Increase the potential of our organization.
French essayist Michel Eyquem de Montaigne said, “The value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use, we make of them; a man may live long yet live very little.” ENLARGING OTHERS like every other MENTORING PROCESS cannot be done for everyone because it is highly demanding and too involved a process. This is why you need to work first with the most promising people around you, the ones most likely to be receptive to GROWTH!
Here are some suggestions on how you can approach ENLARGING OTHERS:
[1]. Share knowledge and resources.
[2]. Provide constructive feedback.
[3]. Encourage personal development.
[4]. Create a conducive environment.
[5]. Facilitate networking and connections.
[6]. Offer support and encouragement.
[7]. Be a positive role model.
