The Lens Principle

Who you are determines what you see and the way you see it. What is around us doesn’t determine what we see: What is within us does. And who you are determines how you see others. If you are a trusting person, you will see others as trustworthy. If you are a critical person, you will see others as critical. If you are a caring person, you will see others as compassionate. The way you view others is determined by who you are. If you don’t like people, that really is a statement about you and the way you look at people. Your viewpoint is the problem. If that’s the case, don’t try to change others. Don’t even focus on others; focus on yourself. If you change yourself and become the kind of person you desire to be, you will begin to view others in a whole new light. And that will change the way you interact in all of your relationships.

Soundview Executive Book Summaries John C. Maxwell "Winning with People"