Energizing Your People Skills

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Ryan

Yesterday I spoke at the Awana Ministry Meeting to our awesome staff. I spoke on the importance of sharpening your people skills. I challenged the group with this thought: Your ministry will only be as successful as your ability to relate to others. Do you agree? I have discovered that 80% of people who fail in ministry fail for this reason: they don’t relate well to people. The truth is that everyone has room to grow in this area.

So, how can you energize your people skills? Here are 8 points that I shared:

1. Don’t complain. “Do everything without grumbling and arguing.” (Phil 2:14)

No one wants to be around a person who is constantly negative. Be positive. Offer solutions. (Or say nothing.)

2. Smile. “Render service with a good attitude,
as to the Lord and not to men.” (Eph. 6:7)

You might have to force it, but smile! Let people know that you are approachable and friendly.

3. Be a good listener. “A wise man will listen and increase his learning, and a discerning man will obtain guidance.” (Proverbs 1:5)

This is work, but it’s essential for leaders. Look people in the eyes and give them your undivided attention.

4. Be an encourager. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…” (1 Thessalonians 5:11a)

Christians should be the best cheerleaders in the world. Words of encouragement (and notes) go a long way.

5. Be thankful. “Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess 5:18)

Live a life of thankfulness. Stop and think about all that God has done for you. You’ll become a thankful person and people will want to be around you.

6. Be interested in others. “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth – a stranger, and not your own lips.” (
Prov. 27:2)

Resist the urge to turn conversations around to yourself. Instead, be genuinely concerned about other people. It goes a long way.

7. Remember people’s names. “Your name is perfume poured out…” (
Song of Solomon 1:3)

Dale Carnegie said, “The sweetest sound a person can hear is his own name.” Do whatever it takes to remember the names of people you meet. It will take work, but the dividends are huge.

8. Be kind. “Love is kind.” (1 Corinthians 13:4)

This seems simple, but kindness is essential to any organization. Kindness is contagious!

If you want your ministry to shine, polish your people skills. When can you start doing all of this? Today!

Comment | 21 Replies |

21 Comments on “Energizing Your People Skills”

  1. 1 Ken del Villar said at 2:58 pm on June 14th, 2012:

    Thanks for this message.

  2. 2 rfrank said at 3:02 pm on June 14th, 2012:

    Thanks Ken!

  3. 3 Deby Ammons said at 3:03 pm on June 14th, 2012:

    It was great to have you with us yesterday at Awana. Thanks for the wonderful reminder of these simple, basic truths. You are a blessing!

  4. 4 rfrank said at 3:09 pm on June 14th, 2012:

    Thanks Deby! You are a blessing too!

  5. 5 rfrank said at 3:09 pm on June 14th, 2012:

    Thanks Deby! You are a blessing too!

  6. 6 Vicki Bye said at 4:02 pm on June 14th, 2012:

    Thanks Ryan for your message yesterday. You did a great job.
    What was the name of the book you were showing us? (Love ?)
    Thanks Vicki

  7. 7 Vicki Bye said at 4:02 pm on June 14th, 2012:

    Thanks Ryan for your message yesterday. You did a great job.
    What was the name of the book you were showing us? (Love ?)
    Thanks Vicki

  8. 8 rfrank said at 4:07 pm on June 14th, 2012:

    Thanks Vicki! It was “Love Works” by Joel Manby. Great book!

  9. 9 rfrank said at 4:07 pm on June 14th, 2012:

    Thanks Vicki! It was “Love Works” by Joel Manby. Great book!

  10. 10 Bonnie Pennington said at 4:17 pm on June 14th, 2012:

    Great message, great reminders of these truthFILLED skills.

  11. 11 Bonnie Pennington said at 4:17 pm on June 14th, 2012:

    Great message, great reminders of these truthFILLED skills.

  12. 12 Ron Ryba said at 5:47 pm on June 14th, 2012:

    Ryan,
    Thanks for the message. Great words of wisdom. Just down loaded the book, and look forward to a nice weekend to read.
    Thanks again for sharing.

  13. 13 Ron Ryba said at 5:47 pm on June 14th, 2012:

    Ryan,
    Thanks for the message. Great words of wisdom. Just down loaded the book, and look forward to a nice weekend to read.
    Thanks again for sharing.

  14. 14 Luis Castro said at 7:53 pm on June 14th, 2012:

    Gracias desde Colombia
    Thanks from Colombia

  15. 15 Luis Castro said at 7:53 pm on June 14th, 2012:

    Gracias desde Colombia
    Thanks from Colombia

  16. 16 Edna Jordan said at 8:22 pm on June 14th, 2012:

    Hi Ryan!
    Good to hear from you again! I had taken notes on my iPad, so had the eight points — enjoyed the message! The thought that stayed with my through the day (and today) you can make someone’s day better…or not…
    Blessings!
    Edna

  17. 17 Edna Jordan said at 8:22 pm on June 14th, 2012:

    Hi Ryan!
    Good to hear from you again! I had taken notes on my iPad, so had the eight points — enjoyed the message! The thought that stayed with my through the day (and today) you can make someone’s day better…or not…
    Blessings!
    Edna

  18. 18 Michael Litz said at 5:10 pm on June 16th, 2012:

    Wonderful message Ryan. I always enjoy hearing you speak. I’m looking forward for opportunities to put words into action. Thanks again.

  19. 19 Michael Litz said at 5:10 pm on June 16th, 2012:

    Wonderful message Ryan. I always enjoy hearing you speak. I’m looking forward for opportunities to put words into action. Thanks again.

  20. 20 Catherine McNiel said at 12:37 pm on June 18th, 2012:

    Thanks Ryan! It was good to have you with us, and this was a helpful reminder. Blessings to you and your family.

  21. 21 Catherine McNiel said at 12:37 pm on June 18th, 2012:

    Thanks Ryan! It was good to have you with us, and this was a helpful reminder. Blessings to you and your family.

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