There is a critical decision we all must make.  None can circumvent the scope of this question.

In fact, some may say it is THE decision that will determine the quality of your leadership and life.  One could argue that your answer to this question determines the ultimate legacy of your life.  Your answer will most certainly impact the quality of your leadership, but this one question transcends leadership into all of life.

So, what’s this pivotal question?

Will you love people and use things, or will you use people and love things?

Every day you interact with people and things.  Which is your priority?  Do you consistently choose people over things?  Or, do you choose things over people?

There is a drive in our culture to achieve and accumulate.  There is nothing inherently wrong with that drive – it depends on what we’re trying to achieve and accumulate.  If our drive is to achieve promotion, status and title, and accumulate material wealth, we will miss the true riches of leadership and life.

However, if we are driving to achieve personal integrity, character and competence, and trust, influence and affection with those with whom we interact, or lead, then our impact will be significantly positive.  Likewise if we choose to accumulate relational wealth, successful endeavors and projects engaging, involving and inspiring others, and the reputation as one who consistently strives to contribute to the betterment of other people’s lives.

People must be our priority.  We use things to help us accomplish our goals with people.  We must not use people to accomplish our goals for things.

People are the true value in any organization.  Yes, technologies, intellectual properties and equipment can be fabulous assets, but they have to be created and maintained by someone.

Your people are your greatest asset.  Your relationships are your greatest wealth.

It will be people at your funeral.  Your stuff will not show up to speak well of you.  Your legacy is found in the lives of those you loved.

I had an epiphany many years ago in the early days of my company.  We were a small team, but growing rapidly.  I was at the fax machine – that’s a hint as to how long ago this was – and I had a thought pop into my head,

“Your people are not here to serve you, you are here to serve them.”

What?  It’s my company.  I own 100% of it.  I carry all the risk.  I have all the skin in the game.  If this goes sideways it’s all on my head.  I pay them a good wage.  They’re here to help me accomplish my goals.

I argued with myself about the validity of this new thought, but I began to realize my thinking indeed needed to change.  If I as the leader began to serve my people so they grow and develop to become the best they can be, we all win.  I needed to love my people, and not use them to love myself.

Thinking the people you lead are here to serve you so you can achieve and accumulate is the same thing as using people and loving things.  Seeing yourself as a leader who serves your people to enable and equip them to become their best is really loving people and using things.

Is it all about you, or is it all about others?

Ok, here is another true confession.  I also realized around that same time that whenever I met someone in a business context my secret thought was, “What can you do for me?”

Ouch, I cringe writing that down.  It reflects a selfish, self-centered mindset that will ultimately lead me to use people and love things.  What a difference if anytime we meet someone in a business context we ask ourselves, “I wonder how I can help this person?”

It’s about people and how we can contribute to the betterment of their lives.  We’re meant to be spent for the betterment of others.

If you choose to live and lead for the benefit of others, if you love people and use things, you will achieve and accumulate far more than you ever imagined you could.