Diving right into the interview, Don asked, “What makes you a good leader?”

Johnnie had been preparing for weeks; he felt fully equipped to answer Don’s question. “What makes me stand apart is that I really care about the people I lead.”

Having heard the same cliché a million times before, Don pressed, “That’s great. What are you currently doing to improve yourself?”

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Do you claim to care about others?

I’m sure you do care about people, but let me ask you something: Would you want your children taught by “caring” people with visible signs of self-neglect? Do you want a “considerate” boss who never takes a vacation or sick day? How would you enjoy having a “kind” neighbor who never tends to their yard?

One of Maxwell’s more famous quotes is: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” That’s an excellent quote, but I believe some people stop short of grasping the full concept.

A great way for leaders to demonstrate they care for others is by putting significant effort into their own growth. Self-development isn’t selfish; it’s wise preparation.

When leaders invest in their personal and professional growth, they are better equipped to serve, guide, and develop others in more meaningful, lasting, and caring ways.

What do your self-development efforts demonstrate to others? Confronting yourself first gives confronting others more credibility.

Are you showing people that you care, or just want to be the boss?