Confronting Confrontation
Sometimes people in our lives do things we don’t like. In many cases, their behavior doesn’t directly impact us, so it’s not appropriate to say anything. At other times, however, people do things that do directly cause us harm, and then we have every right to confront them. Handled well, you don’t have to cause […]
Representing EVERYone
Take action on behalf of everyone. Many people hold a position and plan activities without really considering how their efforts will make impact on those they lead. Often student leaders just do what was done last year. Doing this will ensure last year’s results. Successful companies rely on growth, not on last year’s numbers. You […]
Never Let Them See You Sweat
Effective leaders are experts at keeping cool and appearing in control, even when everything seems to be falling apart. If you are in a leadership position, people are looking to you for strength. If you believe that things will work out, that’ll keep your group calm and confident as well. The opposite is also true. […]
Networking: How to Connect With Influential People
In Network & Connect to Succeed we discussed getting people’s cards and “working a room.” But how do you get access to the kinds of people whose cards you’d want to get? Go to social gatherings where you can meet influential people. You don’t have to be out of school to start cultivating relationships. In […]
Networking: Help Yourself By Helping Others
The best thing you can do to make people want to help you is to help them. Find ways to assist people. Do them favors. Think about who you could introduce them to that might be of help. When you meet someone, make a note of their goals. Then keep your eyes open for opportunities […]
Networking: Your Connection to Success
Throughout your life, you will have many opportunities to attend meetings, conferences, and parties where you can meet influential people. Networking is the main reason why many of these people attend these functions, so you shouldn’t feel guilty about trying to make new contacts. People expect that and will be looking to do the same. […]
Building Rapport: Don’t Look In The Mirror, Be The Mirror!
The most important thing you can do to influence people is to establish rapport with them. When people like you and feel more comfortable with you, it’s way easier to move them to action. It’s easier to sell to them, to get their vote, to get the job or even to get the date. So […]
Living With Integrity
To have integrity is to always do that which you believe to be right and true to who you are. Few people actually live this way. On a daily basis we are tempted with opportunities to stretch the truth or serve ourselves at someone else’s expense. To be an effective leader over a long period […]
Influencing People: Winning Peoples’s Respect
Many people put in a leadership position assume their title will win the respect and loyalty of others. They quickly learn that title alone will not do the trick. Think about how many people have been put in charge of you that you didn’t respect. If you’re a leader, you must win others’ loyalty. Who […]
Influencing People: Catch Them Doing Something Well
Keep an eye on the people you lead and catch them doing something well. Many people (including parents, teachers, coaches – even our friends) only comment on people’s mistakes. A few years ago I did a survey of all the employees at a chain of restaurants and discovered that the number one thing people want […]
