Articles

Figure Out What People Want!

Jana M. Kemp

You may remember that “What Women Want” was the title of a 2000 comedy that focused on figuring out what women want so that an advertising company can make more sales. Now, for your 2007 management skill development is a book titled “What People Want” by Terry R. Bacon (Davies-Black, 2006).

While the subtitle of the book says it is about managers, the book is best read by everyone in a relationship with anyone – at work, at home, or in the community. With its easy to read format and clear tips for improving all relationships with people, Terry Bacon’s book is a must read for improving your leadership and interpersonal skills as well as your actual relationships.

Bacon’s company, Lore International Institute, conducted a survey that serves as the basis for the book. The survey asked 500 employees what matters most in their relationship with a manager. Here are the top nine “employee wants” in order of highest priority: honesty, fairness, trust, respect, dependability, collaboration, genuineness, appreciation, and responsiveness. How well are you demonstrating these behaviors and qualities as you interact with others? And, do you really know for sure?

To refine your skills, pick up Bacon’s book and start reading. His tips include reminders such as “treat people like human beings – not as human resources.” A reminder that relates to something nearly everyone is guilty of in our high-technology worlds is this “pay attention – multi-tasking does not build relationships.” And Bacon’s “What People Want” tips include new ideas such as “giving risky assignments.”

Having seen so much of it in 2006, I especially like chapter 9 which is titled: Behaving Badly (and how to avoid it). This closing chapter wraps up the two part book that is a good read for first time as well as seasoned managers. Part one has five chapters that focus on creating and building trust. Part two is titled “A Good Self” and its three chapters focus on refining the personal skills that work in all relationships and settings. Each chapter ends with ten to fifteen “Tips for Improving Your Relationships,” so even if you get the book only to skim the chapter endings, you’ll be more aware of the interpersonal skills that will help you to be more successful in 2007.

Action Item: Add “What People Want” and another good business management or leadership book to your reading-list so you can read and learn in January!

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Reprint Permission: The author is willing to grant reprint permissions. Please contact Jana Kemp: jana@janakemp.com or call 208-367-1701.