How Great Leaders Pull More Than Push

I don’t claim to be the world’s greatest communicator.

In fact, that title doesn’t exist. All we try to do as leaders is to put our message out in the world, and with over 7 billion people on the planet, ANY message is almost certain to resonate with SOMEONE.

Because of this, I’m always hesitant to criticize other’s communication style. I only do it when it violates one very important principle:

Great leaders pull more than push.

As a speaker, I’m a student of my craft. I follow people that help speakers grow their business, amplify their message, etc.

This morning I received the following email from a “speaking coach” who is hosting an upcoming bootcamp, starting March 1st:

What do you notice about this email?

If you enjoy being pushed and having someone force you to do things (because "massive action solves all problems," right?), then I'm guessing you'd love to receive an email like this.

I'm actually one of these people.

As leaders, it is our job to stretch people outside of their comfort zones.

I don't mind having someone demand that of me and hold me accountable for doing it.

But there is a specific way to DO IT that makes it motivating and empowering instead of demeaning and condescending.

It's turning the push to a pull.

In this case, if I'm going to bust my ass in this 30-day bootcamp, what's the end goal?

(To grow your business, you might be thinking...)

Nope, you're wrong. That's the surface answer. What's underneath it?

In other words, why do I care about growing my business? What would growing my business allow me to do?

Provide for my family?

Pay off debt?

Buy a new house or car?

Spread a life changing message in a bigger way?

Look like a super duper big deal on social media?

Getting on stages and growing your business doesn't pull people. These things DO.

It's peeling back the onion to the emotional layer and underlying motivation for why you do what you do.

The shift in communication is subtle. If you want to use strong language like the example above, simply add in a few lines like:

"You're going to contact a minimum of 30 events for 30 days. And when you do, you will be able to provide for your family like never before."

OR

"Complacency is destroying your ability to get on more stages. It's holding you back from spreading your life-changing message in a bigger way."

I'm fortunate to be able to speak to leaders all over the country and I've never met one that wouldn't like to motivate and empower their team to "raise their game" and play at a higher level. Make this shift and watch what happens. Remember...