As leaders, understanding people—their motivations, drives, and intentions—is essential.
If my business is struggling, people around me behave one way. If it’s booming, the same people may act entirely differently. It’s not personal. Our environment and circumstances shape how others perceive us, what value they see in us, and the kind of relationships they want to build with us.
They’re not being mean—it’s just human nature. We instinctively look for the shortest path to securing more resources, whether that’s opportunities, influence, or security.
That’s why it’s in our best interest not to take things at face value. Instead, we should step back and ask: How are my current circumstances influencing the way people interact with me?
With that perspective, we may find ourselves rethinking and reinterpreting why some people are being unusually nice—or unexpectedly rude.
