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Would you like to have very good people skills? All of us can practice these skills if we want to. Here’s number four:
4. Be willing to go the extra mile.
Extra-milers are few and far between. Certainly Jesus taught us the extra mile attitude in Matthew 5:38-41:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you. . . If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.”
This is one of the teachings of Christ we often find difficult to practice on our jobs because it appears that we would just be letting others run over us. The world system is one of taking care of number one, making sure no one takes advantage of you, watching out for your rights, etc. It’s not always easy to practice the extra-mile philosophy in that kind of environment.
But an extra-mile attitude is a winning attitude. It keeps customers long-term, builds long-term careers, and establishes long-term relationships. We are all impressed by people who truly do more than they have to do.
Take it as a challenge to find ways to show that you are an extra-miler. Here are some easy suggestions:
- When asked a question you cannot answer, find someone who can.
- When you’re not able to do what someone has asked you to do, ask yourself what you can do, and offer to do something else.
- When you see a person with a puzzled look or seemingly confused, ask if you can help instead of just passing by.
- When your manager is under stress, ask what you can do to take some of the pressure off of him or her.
- With any assignment you have, ask yourself what additional input or work you could do to enhance that assignment.
- Imagine that you are the manager of your company or department and ask yourself what needs to be done. Volunteer for an assignment, or if appropriate, just do it without being asked.
- When you think you’ve finished a job, think of one more thing you can do to improve it.
- When a co-worker is struggling with a heavy workload or deadline, offer to help.
If you’ll start focusing on being an extra-miler, I guarantee that your people skills will skyrocket.
Click here if you would like a copy of Mary’s book, How to Thrive from 9 to 5.