You will never influence someone who doesn’t first feel accepted by you. (Mike Lee, pastor)

If your employee, student, or companion feels that you don’t regard him or her as a valued person with ability, you will certainly not be able to affect them much. Positive influence must begin with a positive relationship. As we’ve noted before “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care” (Jack Kemp).

Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. (1 Peter 5:3)