Monday, February 28, 2011

Listening: One Way to Build Relationships By Barbara Baggerly-Hinojosa



In order to create and maintain good relationships with others, it is important to develop good communication skills which include the skill of listening.  Communication skills, such as listening, take continuous practice in order to be fully developed.  In order to be an effective leader and build strong and lasting relationships, we must be good listeners. 

Extraordinary leaders are great listeners who look at the speaker, ask questions, provide feedback, and act on the information they obtain.  Listening has always been important in the workplace, but is even more so today in a world where listening has become a fading art. It is clear that time has changed and so have the needs of those with whom we work and live.  


Today's employees want to be asked for feedback and they want to be heard. Here are three tips to help you become a better listener.

1. Look at the speaker.

One of the strongest ways a person knows when someone is not listening is that the “listener” is not looking at the “speaker.”  You know that feeling when you are speaking to someone and he/she does not make eye contact, is looking behind you, is texting, or day dreaming.  You know right away that the person is not listening, right?  Look directly at the person speaking.

2. Ask questions in response to a question.

That’s right.  Ask a question when someone asks you a question.  Great listeners ask questions, especially as a response to a question asked of them.  For example, when you are at work and run into an employee in the office on Monday morning, a typical exchange will be for you to ask about their weekend.  The employee is likely to respond, "Great. And Yours?”  You might respond with, “Mine was great, too. Did you and your husband have a chance to take the kids out during the great weather we had?” By asking questions in response to a question, a leader can show respect and a genuine interest in the well-being of other people.

Just as looking directly at a person who is speaking can make that person feel important, asking questions can make them feel as though their opinions count. In a business setting, asking questions that move the conversation forward and provide additional opportunities to listen to speakers is a great way to build relationships.


3. Provide feedback.

Great listeners solicit feedback in order to ensure that the followers know that the leader values their opinions. More importantly, great leaders take action based on that feedback. Action can be as simple as responding in an e-mail, "Great suggestion, Ana. I'll forward your idea to the appropriate person."  The more leaders ask for opinions, the more comfortable people feel offering it. This is a great way to promote positive relationships with those around us.

Practice these three tips to becoming a better listener and you will be on your way to becoming a super-success by listening more and talking less.

Photo Credits: Google Images and The McKinney Family

Barbara Baggerly-Hinojosa is a mother, educator, and wife living in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas.  She is a PhD student with Our Lady of the Lake University in Leadership Studies.  Mrs. Baggerly-Hinojosa is the President of the Leadership Empowerment Group, LLC and is currently researching the relationship between the leadership of the high school principal and the high school drop out rate.  Mrs. Baggerly-Hinojosa is the author of Are You A Ten?  The Ten Characteristics of a Servant Leader.   For ordering information, please contact Mrs. Baggerly-Hinojosa at Barbara@leadershipempowermentgroup.com

Sunday, February 27, 2011

EVERY Word of God Proves TRUE! * Proverbs 30

Welcome to Chapter 30 of our study of Proverbs! As always, feel free to add your own 'memorable verses' in the comment section.

Welcome New Readers from Peru and Laos!!! Thank You and Welcome Today's Readers from: United States, Australia, India, United Kingdom, Philippines, Canada, Malaysia, Germany, Singapore, Indonesia, Serbia and Algeria.

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PROVERBS 30

V1 These are the messages of Agur, son of Jakeh, from Massa, addressed to Ithiel and Ucal:

V2 I am tired out, O God, and ready to die. I am too stupid even to call myself a human being!

V3 I cannot understand man, let alone God.

V4 Who else but God goes back and forth to heaven? Who else holds the wind in His Fists, and wraps up the oceans in His Cloak? Who but God has created the world? If there is any other, what is his name – and his son’s name – if you know it?

V5 Every Word of God proves true. He defends all who come to Him for protection.


V6 Do not add to His Words, lest He rebuke you and you be found a liar.

V7 O God, I beg two favors from you before I die:

V8 First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches!  Give me just enough to satisfy my needs!

V9 For if I grow rich, I may become content without God. And if I am too poor, I may steal, and thus insult God’s Holy Name.

V10 Never falsely accuse a man to his employer, lest he curse you for your sin.

V11,12 There are those who curse their father and mother, and feel themselves faultless despite their many sins.

V13,14 They are proud beyond description, arrogant, disdainful. They devour the poor with teeth as sharp as knives!

V15,16 There are two things never satisfied, like a leech forever craving more: no, three things! no, four!
Hell
The barren womb
A barren desert
Fire

V17 A man who mocks his father and despises his mother shall have his eye plucked out by ravens and eaten by vultures.


V18,19 There are three things too wonderful for me to understand – no four!
How an eagle glides through the sky.
How a serpent crawls upon a rock.
How a ship finds its way across the heaving ocean.
The growth of love between a man and girl.

V20 There is another thing too: how a prostitute can sin and then say, “What’s wrong with that?”


V21,22,23 There are three things that make the earth tremble – no, four it cannot stand:
A slave who becomes a king,
A rebel who prospers.
A bitter woman when she finally marries.
A servant girl who marries her mistress’ husband.

V24-28 There are four things that are small but unusually wise:
Ants: they aren’t strong, but store up food for the winter
Cliff badgers: delicate little animals who protect themselves by living among the rocks.
The locusts: though they have no leader, they stay together in swarms.
The lizards: they are easy to catch and kill, yet are found even in king’s palaces!

V29,30,31 There are three stately monarchs in the earth – no, four:
The lion, king of the animals. He won’t turn aside for anyone.
The peacock.
The he-goat.
A king as he leads his army.

V32 If you have been a fool by being proud or plotting evil, don’t brag about it – cover your mouth with your hand in shame.

V33 As the churning of cream yields butter, and a blow to the nose causes bleeding, so anger cause quarrels.

Photo Credits: Google Images
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Verse 5 tells us that "Every Word of God proves true. He defends all who come to Him for protection."

Wanna go deeper in this study?  I produced and copyrighted a workbook series called, "The Scriptural Scholar Series."  All of the lessons are taken straight from the International Children's Bible, which is written on a 3rd grade level.  The theory in choosing this text is that 'if it's simple to understand, it's easier to understand what to do in certain situations.' Once we have this knowledge the rest is up to us.

The workbook lessons have fill-in-the-blank style questions to assist in learning what God wants us to know. All lessons thus far come from Proverbs and consist of the following titles:

OUR BEHAVIOR DOES MATTER
Available Now, 
DON'T BE A FOOL, and WATCH YOUR MOUTH
Both will be available soon. Stay tuned!
Each book has scripture related to its title. All are available in print and by pdf.  

Enjoy Today’s Song… “The Word of The LORD” by Donald Lawrence



Thank you so much for reading, sharing and praying for our success. 
I want you to know how much I appreciate your support. 
May God Continue to Bless You Abundantly!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Characteristics and Rewards of the Sensible Person * Proverbs 27

Welcome Back to our daily study of Proverbs. Thank You and Welcome Today's Readers from: United States, India, United Kingdom, Canada, Philippines, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Egypt, and Vietnam!!

When the idea first came to me to do this study of The Proverbs, I was reading Chapter 27. I made notes of a few of the following verses from that study and began to prepare for a chapter per day beginning the first of the month.

Now, all of the verses are listed for you. This is the fourth time going through this wonderful book of the Bible. I am so pleased that God has added some 11,100 page views (not counting this one =D) from 106 countries. WOW!!! Huh??? That’s up from 5,100 page views and 73 countries last month.

Somehow I believe God must be pleased.  Thank you so much for sharing these posts and the message that God made us, loves us, wants the best for us and proved that by sending Jesus to save us.

Feel free to make note of any scripture or discuss how they helped you in the  comment section each day.  I welcome and look forward to that! Photo Credits: Google Images

PROVERBS 27

V1 Don’t brag about your plans for tomorrow – wait and see what happens.

V2 Don’t praise yourself; let others do it!

V3 A rebel’s frustrations are heavier than sand and rocks.

V4 Jealousy is more dangerous and cruel than anger.

V5 Open rebuke is better than hidden love!

V6 Wounds from a friend are better than kisses from an enemy!

V7 Even honey seems tasteless to a man who is full; but if he is hungry, he’ll eat anything!

V8 A man who strays from home is like a bird that wanders from its nest.

V9 Friendly suggestions are as pleasant as perfume.

V10 Never abandon a friend – either yours or your father’s. Then you won’t need to go to a distant relative for help in your time of need.

V11 My son, how happy I will be if you turn out to be sensible! It will be a public honor to me.

V12 A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them. The simpleton never looks, and suffers the consequences.

V13 The world's poorest credit risk is the man who agrees to pay a stranger's debts.

V14 If you shout a pleasant greeting to a friend too early in the morning, he will count it as a curse!

V15 A constant dripping on a rainy day and a cranky woman are much alike!

V16 You can no more stop her complaints than you can stop the wind or hold on to anything with oil-slick hands.

V17 A friendly discussion is as stimulating as the sparks that fly when iron strikes iron.

V18 A workman may eat from the orchard he tends; anyone should be rewarded who protects another’s interests.

V19 A mirror reflects a man’s face, but what he is really like is shown by the kinds of friends he chooses.

V20 Ambition and death are alike in this: neither is ever satisfied.

V21 The purity of silver and gold can be tested in a crucible, but a man is tested by his reaction to men’s praise.

V22 You can’t separate a rebel from his foolishness though you crush him to powder.


***See Verses 11 and 12***



God Bless You All! Thanks for Reading and Sharing!

Friday, February 25, 2011

I Should do 'WHAT' for My Enemies? Ok, that's surely worth it! * Proverbs 25

Welcome to Day 25 of this daily walk through the Proverbs.  Verses as recorded in The Children’s Living Bible, Tyndale copyright 1971 follow. Feel free to add your favorite verses from this chapter in the comment section. All Photos Credit: Google Images.

Thank You and Welcome Today’s Readers from: United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Germany, Brazil, Netherlands, France, Australia, Canada, Philippines, United Kingdom, India, and United States. Thank You for Your Tremendous Support.

Since this month is short, we’ll be doubling up on post to complete book of Proverbs by the end of the month. God Bless and Keep You!

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PROVERBS 25

V1 These Proverbs of Solomon were discovered and copied by the aides of King Hezekiah of Judah:

V2,3 It’s God’s Privilege to conceal things, and the king’s privilege to discover and invent. You cannot understand the height of heaven, the size of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind!

V4,5 When you remove dross from silver, you have sterling ready for the silversmith. When you remove corrupt men from the king’s court, his reign will be just and fair.

V6,7 Don’t demand an audience with the king as though you were some powerful prince. It is better to wait for an invitation rather than to be sent back to the end of the line, publicly disgraced!

V8,9,10 Don’t be hot headed and rush to court! You may start something you can’t finish and go down before you neighbor in shameful defeat. So discuss the matter with him privately. Don’t tell anyone else, lest he accuse you of slander and you can’t withdraw what you said.

V11 Timely advice is as lovely as golden apples in a silver basket.

V12 It is a badge of honor to accept valid criticism.

V13 A faithful employee is as refreshing as a cool day in the hot summertime.

V14 One who doesn’t give the gift he promised is like a cloud blowing over a desert without dropping any rain.

V15 Be patient and you will finally win, for a soft tongue can break hard bones.

V16 Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much of it, or it will make you sick!

V17 Don’t visit your neighbor too often, or you will outwear your welcome!

V18 Telling lies about someone is as harmful as hitting him with an axe, or wounding him with a sword, or shooting him with a sharp arrow.

V19 Putting confidence in an unreliable man is like chewing on a sore tooth or trying to run on a broken foot.

V20 Being happy go lucky around a person whose heart is heavy is as bad as stealing his jacket in cold weather, or rubbing salt in his wounds.

V21,22 If your enemy is hungry, give him food! If he is thirsty, give him something to drink! This will make him feel ashamed of himself, and God will reward you.

V23 As surely as a wind from the north brings cold, just as surely a retort causes anger!

V24 It is better to live in a corner of an attic than in a beautiful home with a cranky, quarrelsome woman.

V25 Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty.

V26 If a godly man compromises with the wicked, it is like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.

V27 Just as it is harmful to eat too much honey, so also it is bad for men to think about all the honors they deserve!

V28 A man without self control is as defenseless as a city with broken down walls.


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VERSES 21 and 22 hold the key to today's answer. 

Here they are again:  
V21,22 If your enemy is hungry, give him food! 
If he is thirsty, give him something to drink! 
This will make him feel ashamed of himself, and God will reward you.


ENJOY THIS FABULOUS SONG!




THANK YOU FOR READING! BIG BLESSINGS TO EACH OF YOU!




Thursday, February 24, 2011

Should We Rejoice When Our Enemy Meets Trouble? It's tempting, but don't do it. Proverbs 24

Welcome back to the study of Proverbs. Thank You  and Welcome Today’s Readers from: United States, India, South Africa, Philippines, Pakistan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada.

Welcome New Readers from Faroe Islands, Country Number 106! 

Thank you for participating with such tremendous love and support. I’m grateful for Each of You!

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PROVERBS
V1 Don’t envy godless men; don’t even enjoy their company.

V2 For they spend their days plotting violence and cheating.

V3,4 Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts.

V5 A wise man is mightier than a strong man. Wisdom is mightier than strength.

V6 Don’t go to war without wise guidance; there is safety in many counselors.

V7 Wisdom is too much for a rebel. He’ll not be chosen as a counselor!

V8 To plan evil is as wrong as doing it.

V9 The rebel’s schemes are sinful, and the mocker is the scourge of all mankind.

V10 You are a poor specimen if you can’t stand the pressure of adversity.

V11,12 Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don’t stand back and let them die. Don’t try to disclaim responsibility by saying you didn’t know about it.  For God, who knows all hearts, knows yours, and He knows you knew! And He will reward everyone according to his deeds.

V13,14 My son, honey whets the appetite, and so does wisdom! When you enjoy becoming wise, there is hope for you! A bright future lies ahead!

V15,16 O evil man, leave the upright man alone, and quit trying to cheat him out of his rights. Don’t you know that this good man, though you trip him up seven times, will each time rise again? But one calamity is enough to lay you low.

V17 Do not rejoice when your enemy meets trouble. Let there be no gladness when he falls –

V18 for The Lord may be displeased with you and stop punishing him!

V19,20 Don’t envy the wicked. Don’t covet his riches. For the evil man has no future; his light will be snuffed out.

V21,22 My son, watch your step before The Lord and the king, and don’t associate with radicals. For you will go down with them to sudden disaster, and who knows where it all will end?

V23 It is wrong to sentence the poor, and let the rich go free.

V24 He who says to the wicked, “You are innocent,” shall be cursed by many people of many nations;

V25 but blessings shall be showered on those who rebuke sin fearlessly.

V26 It is an honor to receive a frank reply.

V27 Develop your business first before building your house.

V28,29 Don’t testify spitefully against an innocent neighbor. Why lie about him? Don’t say, “Now I can pay him back for all his meanness to me!”

V30,31 I walked by the field of a certain lazy fellow and saw that it was overgrown with thorns, and covered with weeds; and its walls were broken down.

V32,33 Then, as I looked, I learned this lesson:
“A little extra sleep,
A little more slumber
A little folding of the hands to rest”

V34 means that poverty will break in upon you suddenly like a robber, and violently like a bandit.

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Thank You All for Reading and Sharing. May God Bless those reading these words.  In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Enjoy this worship song, "Great Jesus"
and have a Super Blessed Day/Evening!


Thanks for Reading and Sharing the Love!!!