Bringing Out the Best in People by Alan Loy McGinnis
... The author goes through a series of “Rules” for bringing out the best in people (which can be employees, family members, friends, etc. ... For the purpose of this summary, I will use the example of bringing out the best in employees. Following are the Rules as presented by McGinnis: 1. Expect the best from people you lead. McGinnis says that if people know we expect good things from them, they will in most cases go to great lengths to live up to our expectations. ... Different people have different views of what’s important to them, and to try to motivate someone with a reward they do not see as valuable will not prove very effective. Also, in order to determine what makes people do what they do, it is necessary to look at where they’ve been, at their past. ... McGinnis explains that in order to expect the best in people, a leader needs to establish tough, but attainable, standards which his/her employees can strive to achieve. ... People are inspired by challenges. ... McGinnis states that leaders should not be seen as disciplinarians and judges, but rather as coaches and teachers. ... If they are going anywhere near where you want to go, climb on other people’s bandwagon. The best way to encourage employees to pursue their ideas and goals is to support them in their venture. This will help them to build inner drive, and is a way to influence people without intimidating them, or making them think you’re trying to change them. People should also know what their goals are, or what they’d like to change about themselves. A good leader will do everything possible to help their people get where they want to go.