#10 The Law of Connection

21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership - John C. Maxwell

From the book “The 21 Laws of Leadership” by John C. Maxwell

#10 The Law of Connection - Leaders Touch a Heart Before They Ask for a Hand

You can’t move people to action unless you first move them with emotion.  The heart comes before the head.  

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CONNECTION

Connecting with people isn’t something that needs to happen only when a leader is communicating to groups of people.  It needs to happen with individuals.  The stronger the relationship and connection between individuals, the more likely the follower will want to help the leader.  PEOPLE DON’T CARE HOW MUCH YOU KNOW UNTIL THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE.  You develop credibility with people when you connect with them and show that you genuinely want to help them.  

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE ONE AT A TIME

A key to connecting with others is recognizing that even in a group, you have to relate to people as individuals.  When you look at your team you need to see them as individuals, each with their own aspirations, each who wants to do good.  To connect with people in a group, relate to them as individuals.  

IT’S THE LEADER’S JOB

Some leaders have problems with the Law of Connection because they believe that connecting is the responsibility of followers.  Successful leaders who obey the Law of Connection are always initiators.  They take the first step with others and then make the effort to continue building relationships.  It’s the leader’s job to initiate connection with people.  

THE TOUGHER THE CHALLENGE THE GREATER THE CONNECTION

During World War I in France, General Douglas MacArthur told a battalion commander before a daring charge, “Major, when the signal comes to go over the top, I want you to go first, before your men.  If you do, they’ll follow.”  Then MacArthur removed the Distinguished Service Cross from his uniform and pinned it on the major.  He had, in effect, awarded him for heroism before asking him to exhibit it.  And, of course, the major led his men, they followed him over the top, and they achieved their objective.  

THE RESULT OF CONNECTION

When a leader has done the work to connect with their people, you can see it in the way the organization functions.  Among employees there are incredible loyalty and a strong work ethic.  The vision of the leader becomes the aspiration of the people.  The impact is incredible.  

To lead yourself, use your head; to lead others, use your heart.

#10 The Law of Connection - Leaders Touch a Heart Before They Ask for a Hand

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