The answer is simply to give people what they’re truly craving for, which is an opportunity to be listened to. Popular people understand that no one wants to hear what they have to say, but those same people are dying to tell their stories to someone who cares. So, if you take the time to provide them with opportunities to tell their stories, you’ll not only make their day; you’ll begin to attract people to you like a magnet. As Wilson Mizner put it, “A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while he gets to know something.” Now, here’s the really big secret: everybody knows this, and nearly everyone forgets it.

One Sentence Wisdom

• “Most of the successful people I’ve known are the ones who do more listening than talking.” — Bernard Baruch
• “Listening is a master skill for personal and professional greatness.” — Robin S. Sharma

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