Relationships Need Intentional Care Personal relationships don’t maintain themselves. They need to be intentionally fed and cared for if you expect them to thrive. This involves regularly visiting the people you have relationships with, either in person or over the phone, when you don’t ask for anything. If the only time you call or call on one of…
Conversation The secret to getting another person to hang on your every word is simple–talk about them. If you talk about them, they will listen to you all day. Always keep in mind, the other person is dying to tell his or her story, but couldn’t care less about yours. The minute you introduce the…
There is only one thing that gets people excited about doing anything; it’s their self-interest–what’s in it for them. So, if you want to get people excited about going the extra mile for you over and over again, all you have to do is figure out their self-interest and connect it with yours. This may…
Dreaming Sometimes, when you share a dream that you’re excited about with those around you, you’ll find their responses to be less than encouraging. For example, if you’re thinking about changing careers, starting your own business or going after a promotion, some of your friends and colleagues may tell you to stay where you…
There is only one thing that gets people excited about doing anything; it’s their self-interest–what’s in it for them. So, if you want to get people excited about going the extra mile for you over and over again, all you have to do is figure out their self-interest and connect it with yours. This may…
Caring costs you nothing, it makes you feel good and it makes those around you feel good. It also makes you look good to those who observe your caring behaviors and now you have all these people who are looking for a chance to care back–this is Win-Win in action. What’s interesting is that while…
Most people look at arguments as contests with a winner and a loser. In truth, there are no winners, only losers. If you lose the argument, you look bad and feel bad. If you win, the other person (the loser) looks bad and feels bad. Now, you have succeeded in turning the other person against…
The quickest way of winning over a new person is to send them a clear message that you are for real. One way of doing this is to promise to do something for them and then exceed their expectations with how you follow through on your promise. For example, if you promise to get this…
Always keep in mind that when people present an idea, their ego is embedded in it. If you put down their idea, you bruise their ego and make them feel bad. Now that person is working against you instead of with you. So, the next time someone presents an idea to you–even if you don’t…
Relationships are investments that have an awesome return. The reason is that personal relationships, as they develop, naturally lead to trust. When people trust you, they get excited about going the extra mile for you because they know you’re going to reciprocate in some meaningful way–whether it be a “thank you,” a pat on the…