Are You a Lifter or a Leaner?

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One of my clients has core value that I really like:

“Be a lifter, not a leaner”

We all know a few leaners.  They’re the people who drain our energy.  We try to avoid getting trapped in a conversation with them.  When they walk into a room, and eyes roll.

They (often accidentally) diminish others.  We avoid these people.  When we’re at the mall and we see them, we duck into the Hallmark Card store hoping they didn’t catch our eye.

Which are you?  Hint:  Leaners usually don’t know they’re leaners.  They don’t think enough about other people to have considered the question.

Leaners

Lifters

Always see the negatives Put a positive spin on any situation
Are great at problem analysis They are solution focused
Love to talk Listen, even when they’d rather not
Vent their emotions Share emotions that will help the team
Add to our stress Lift stress from us
Think first about themselves Are committed to regular encouragement
Make others feel discouraged Make people feel smart
Are tolerated Are loved

 

Do you find it hard to find someone to eat lunch with?  Do you look around and notice that people clear the room after you walk in?  Time to connect the dots?

How are you…

  • Building bridges with others?
  • Adding extra value to your organization?
  • Using your words to build others?
  • Showing appreciation for people around you?

Lifters are made, not born.

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Written by Trevor Throness
Trevor is a veteran coach, keynote speaker, and the author of the book “The Power of People Skills” released by Career Press NY in 2017. He’s also written for or been featured in places like Forbes, Inc, The NY Post, The Globe and Mail, Entrepreneur, CEO Magazine, and numerous podcasts and interviews.

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We have locations around BC and Alberta, so getting people on the same page can be very difficult... Until now. Our entire management team and location managers take the same great courses and then meet monthly online with our coach to apply it to our situation. People are engaged, the courses are excellent, we love our coach, and we are all learning together!
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In less than 18 months of working with Trevor, he has transformed my business from being average to exceptional, where mediocrity is not acceptable, where being great is standard.  Working with PLI has allowed me to realize my dream of not simply owning a job, but owning a business.
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Principal, Caliber Projects
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Our culture has taken major steps forward this year with Trevor’s help.  He is funny, relatable, and his tools are very very practical and have helped us focus and upgrade our teams throughout our retail network. Trevor recently spoke to an employee group, and one person remarked, “I could listen to Trevor all day.”   We would highly recommend Trevor.
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President, COBS Bread
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