Top sales professionals will confirm that nurturing their sphere of influence is essential to their success. When trust and rapport are well cultivated, it can yield tremendous bottom-line results.
The Gift that Keeps on GivingI once had a lovely real estate client named Jane who was an elderly lady living alone. Her sons lived far away in the Pacific Northwest and she rarely saw them. I became...
People who exude these qualities are treasures indeed—not only to the friends they make and strangers they meet, but to the companies who employ them.
If people would read more of these humor books, they wouldn’t need all those self-improvement books!
Strategic CommonalitySocial media has capitalized on helping people find others who share their similar interests, shared experiences, and common passions. With social media, we are easily able to tar...
Even if you’re not broadcasting your personal life to the universe through social media, choose your confidants wisely and with discretion. Your ability to keep your personal details close to your ves...
Don’t try to make a joke just to make a joke. Sometimes, as human beings, we so want to fit in and connect that we try TOO hard to be something we are not. It’s okay if you’re not the life of the part...
Can I Trust You?Years ago, I heard Lou Holtz speak at a national conference. His rock-solid reputation preceded him—he is the only coach in the history of college football to take six different footba...
ASK YOURSELF: Your closest friends want to know all about the details of your life and want to hear what is happening in your life. How can you be that type of person for others?
While some may consider being friendly an appealing personality trait, I challenge you to see it as a valuable skill. In a world where we are continuously bombarded with negativity and anxiety is at a...
Sometimes we break people's trust accidentally. An infraction such as not returning a phone call, missing a deadline, being late for an appointment, divulging a confidence, or speaking out of turn can...
Most everyone has the classic question stamped on their forehead that asks, What’s in It for Me? It is not a matter of being self-centered, arrogant, or narcissistic; it is simply a natural and instin...
Identifying, developing, and connecting on these points of reference will provide you with a rich resource of information from which to engage in stimulating conversations and connect on meaningful le...
10 Ways to Be More Personable and Friendly 1. Listen more than you speak. 2. When you do speak, ask questions of the other person before volunteering your own story. 3. Show a genuine interest in what...
When all else fails, Mother Nature has provided you with a great social default for finding commonality with others. Since weather is a universally shared experience, it enables you to jump into a con...
Use Discretion & Good Judgment. Don't share your most embarrassing moments with public exposure. Doing what is right is not always easy and can require uncommon courage. Be brave my friends, living ri...
I’ve Got to Trust You to Like YouPeople want to do business with people whom they like and trust. If anything in a business presentation raises concerns or doubt about your trustworthiness, everything...
Every time a new client hires me for a keynote, workshop, or coaching session, the first questions I ask them are, What are the 3 top challenges your organization is dealing with? What are your goals?...
What gives you your sense of importance and makes you feel special? Who and what bring out the best in you? What does it take to make you feel like a million bucks and ready to take on the world? When...
Professional Networking The first week I lived in Madison, WI, I sought a local chapter meeting for ATD (Association for Training Development). Having belonged to the same organization in Florida, I k...