“The goal of many leaders is to get people to think more highly of the leader. The goal of a great leader is to help people to think more highly of themselves.” ~ J. Carla Nortcutt
While this quote by J. Carla Nortcutt is about leadership, it applies to so many other types of relationships, too. Whenever we meet someone new, start a new job, go to our first day of class, we often think, “I hope they like me.” It’s a natural human instinct to want others to think well of us, and at time it may cause us some stress and uneasiness. What if we could ease that stress by taking Nortcutt’s advice? What if we approached new relationships with the thought, “I want to help people feel good about themselves through their interaction with me?”
In recent weeks, I’ve been approaching some new interactions this way and the results are remarkable. I’m functioning with great fluidity, and the conversations get more in-depth more quickly. I wonder how many people go through their lives wondering if their thoughts and opinions are valued and valid? How many people truly feel that they are significant?
If there is anything that yoga has taught me, it’s the simple principle of “the light that is in me honors the light that is in you.” All of you. It’s how I close every one of my classes, and how I’m approaching every interaction. We’ll see if the magic of these words can become self-sustaining.
Published by Christa Avampato
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
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Christa Avampato 
Christa:
I would not be writing this post if I did not value your contributions. And you are valued as a human being too.
Anytime you have any self-doubts, please consider reading some of the opinions from the readers of your blog. And then, hopefully, that will set your mind at ease. And you will find peace of mind. We are all rooting for you and want to make sure you feel happy about yourself, no matter what.
I am happy your positive affirmations are helping you on your life’s journey and leading to the formation of new relationships. Probably, your anxiety will be lessened as you forge new friendships and increase your circle of influence.
You are already quite successful, I don’t think you have anything to worry about at all. Wish you godspeed. Thanks.
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Thanks, Archan! You are so right – the comments on this blog and my writing definitely keep me going. Especially through the rough patches. Thank you for always leaving such insightful comments and links for me to check out. I so appreciate the support!
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I agree, I find it to be very true that relating with others becomes far more at ease when you are able to project honor and respect toward the other person. This is quite simple in superficial encounters, but it does get more complicated over time in relationships.
Aine
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