Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!
2 Corinthians 13:5
Throughout Scripture, saints are encouraged to examine themselves.
Ways in which to examine oneself may include:
- Evaluating your walk and the way with which you conduct yourself.
- Evaluating your thought life, feelings, and attitudes.
- Evaluating your relationship with God and others.
God’s Priority is People. One of the chief roles of the Holy Spirit is to ready us for the day we will meet Jesus face to face. He readies us by transforming us day by day into the image God created us to mirror—that of His Son. Our day-to-day walk, vocational calling, challenges, and victories become the potter’s wheel in which the Potter molds His clay, which is us. At the top of God’s list of character traits to mold within us is the health of our relationship with others. God prioritizes healthy relationships to the degree that Jesus said that if we become aware of a relationship problem while worshiping, He’d rather we go repair it and be reconciled and then return to fin- ish worshiping. Maintaining healthy relationships is critical to your success regardless of your chosen profession.
A theme in PERSUADE is “Relationship Selling,” which prioritizes the relationship above revenue. In fact, I refer to the first three chapters as the “Relationship Chapters.” One of the ways in which a person can examine the health of a relationship is to give themselves a “Relationship Check-Up.” If you are struggling in a relationship, performing a Relationship Check-Up may reveal where the breakdown started or prevent a break before it occurs. Preparing to strengthen a relationship will always be easier than repairing one. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself about the health of your relationships. Consider adapting these questions specifically to your situation.
THE RELATIONSHIP CHECK-UP QUESTIONS Y/N
R eliability! Do people feel they can count on you?
E ngagement! Do people feel you are engaged in meeting their needs?
L istening! Do people feel you listen to them or just head-nod them?
A ction! Do people see you taking steps to fulfill their needs?
T rust! Do people feel they can trust you?
I nterest! Do people feel you have their best interests at heart?
O pen! Do people feel you are open to new ideas, input, criticism?
N earness! Do people feel you are available when their need arises?
S ecurity! Do people feel comfortable sharing private confidences?
H istorical! Do people feel you have good or bad history together?
I ntegrity! Do people feel you always protect their interest?
P rincipled! Do people perceive you as being principled?
REFLECT TO CONNECT
- How do you build relationships?
- What do people value most about working with you?
- What one word would people use to describe you?
A “strengthening relationship” strategy is a skill set every leader needs to learn.
