"They just won't do what I tell them"

I've hear this line countless times.

Parents speaking of their kids.

Coaches speaking of their athletes.

Spouse speaking of their spouse.

Boss speaking of their employees.

The intention is well and coming from a place of wanting to help, but the execution isn't there.

We're complex beings.  If it were as simple as telling someone what to do, then we would be much more productive as a society and there would be a lot less hurt feelings.

That's not the way we work though.

So how do you get someone to do what you want them to do?

Meet them where they are at. Listen to them.  Seek to understand them.  Learn their communication style.  Understand that they are not you.

This would be a great strategy for us all to implement with everyone that we encounter.  

If we could do that, then I believe we could make this world a better place.