Good morning! Have you ever been around a person and you just can’t figure out why they act the way they do or say the things they say? Sometimes it seems like people are talking a completely different language or were born on another planet, right?

The world is really full of all different types of people, personalities and circumstances. When it comes to people skills, you are often focusing on the wrong part of the equation. It can seem so much easier to tackle the problem by trying to “fix” them… which will get you absolutely nowhere!

You see, no matter how hard you may try you can’t control people, change their words or actions. The only thing you have control over is your own actions and reactions to other people. How you deal with people has REAL power to change an environment, pacify a situation or even set you up for promotion.

You see, every person on earth has strengths AND weaknesses. And that includes you! If you can’t see your own weakness, you won’t get promoted in life. Even more, if you don’t recognize those weaknesses you end up frustrating the people around you. Plus, whether you mean to or not, when you’re out to “fix” someone it naturally triggers their defenses, backing them into a corner to prove their actions are justified, in the right or perfect.

Just the other week on The Dani Johnson Show I was talking to a woman, Angela, who worked her butt off to learn all these programs for her job. She was dyslexic, and while she worked through it the best she could, eventually she was still let go. Angela did a lot of things right, but she wasn’t perfect and she understands that.

Instead of going on the defensive, being hurt by the layoff, you have to look at, “Why was I laid off?” No one is perfect or without weaknesses! It can be hard to really take an honest look at ourselves and ask, “What could I have done better?”

Right after speaking to Angela, I thought about that very question. Right now, two of my boys are still doing home school and, bottom line, their work is my responsibility. So I sat down and honestly thought about 4 things I could do better in that area of my life. The first one on my list of improvements is accountability!

Because I have not been accountable to my sons and their tutor, they are behind in two subjects. The result from that is frustration all around! But ultimately, no matter how frustrated I am, it was my own fault. The worst part is, we reach this point nearly every year.

Weak leadership wants to blame the tutor. A high level of leadership looks on how to improve a situation. And here is one great trick to take the guesswork out of communicating with people… ask them!

If you are feeling frustrated, simply try asking: “What can I do to help (this relationship, job) improve?” As a boss myself, I can’t tell you how much leadership and maturity this shows. Can you see how this simple juxtaposition could relieve frustration in your life and set you up for promotion?

How far do you think “pity parties” and playing the victim will get you in life? Do you ever try to dodge the responsibility and act like a victim? Victims will always be victimized. You can’t allow yourself to go to there!

This week, let’s work on taking responsibility and reaching that higher level of leadership. What is one thing you could be doing better to improve your daily life? Let me know in the comments and Like and Share today’s message.

Let’s end this week strong. Join us a little later today on The Dani Johnson Show at 12 pm ET/11 pm CT. You can tune into the show on either your TV or radio and please remember you can always stream today’s show right on our website.

In great faith,

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