Tolerance means to give others the best of you - Reason 11

We do live in times of tolerance…  Or rather you could say, in times where there is an increasing need for tolerance.

Reason is simple: we live in a period of growing diversity and, as a society, we are not that ready for it.  Diversity makes people feel insecure, as they tend to label others and protect themselves and those who are equal to them, and it is that insecurity that makes intolerance grow.

Normal people bear with what happens to them; they cope with other people’s ways of being or just go out and sue them.  A leader … well, leaders are different, because their perspective is unique and may be summarised in one word and that is service.

Meister Eckhart said something related to the capacity a leader has to tolerate: Do exactly what you would do if you felt most secure.[1]  It is this deep sense of security a leader has imbibed that enables him or her to deal with situations with a broad mind and perspective.

As a leader, you are able to look at others in a way that sees their highest potential, abilities, and which gives them hope and encourages them, for tolerance is in fact not only to accept others, but to give them the best from your heart.

Maybe you have heard that the best image for tolerance is a tree laden with fruit, which gives away irrespective of people throwing up stones in order for the fruit to fall.  By giving your fruits as a leader, then over time others will become content, and will eventually end any attacks as you have left a beautiful impression on their hearts.

(Excerpt from the book 82 Reasons to be a Leader)

---

[1] Meister Eckhart (c.1260 – c.1328) was a German philosopher and theologian.  You can find the whole quote in this page: http://www.quoteland.com/author/Meister-Eckhart-Quotes/1273/

The communication power: your smile and features

As a frequent customer for airlines, one thing I notice is how less and less my providers smile. And when they do, it is really not convincing...

I did not research or check statistics. It is more a feeling than anything. At some airlines, their employees are visibly tired and unhappy; others they seem to be upset you are travelling with them so they cannot have a nice time as they have to attend you.

Part of the power of communication comes from your features and a smile, a very genuine and sincere smile, is a fundamental part. Well, you cannot buy smiles nor do a Joker, but you can always learn how to smile more and more...

Smile comes from a deep sense of satisfaction. So, the easiest trick for an easy smile is that: be satisfied. Satisfaction comes from four sources:

• The self. First of all, you need to be happy with yourself, your efforts, your capacity and energy. Satisfaction is not a static thing; it does not mean that you don't improve because you are so satisfied with whatever you are. It means you are happy with your own self and from that happiness, you will pursue your own growth or transformation.
• Others (close). As everyone influences everyone, when others are satisfied with you and you are with them, the exchange of energy is wonderful. You will feel your life is a huge continuous party! The close ones, friends and close relatives, are the main people that influences in your own sense of satisfaction. If someone is not satisfied with you or you are not satisfied with them, it is time for reflection and to make a decision about it.
• Others (far, far away). There are other people you are not that close, or maybe you have been close in the past. Still, our sense of satisfaction relies on the feeling of being satisfied and if your airline pilot is not doing that or your local baker, then it is time to check on what to do about it. A part of the stress experienced in big cities comes from the interaction between people who are basically strangers.
• God or a Supreme Source of energy. Yes, God is present in our smiles too... Our relationship and its level with this Supreme Force will interfere in our personal sense of satisfaction. If you don't believe in God, it is still possible you believe in something; that point you believe, God or something else, means a lot for you and the way you feel satisfied with His or Her role in your life will help you to shape that smile in your face.

By increasing your sense of satisfaction, your smile will be easy and your features will be influenced by that, which will change the way you communicate. A smile express trust and confidence, joy and calm, so when you communicate with others, they will get that feeling from you.