What Successful People Do To Win Friends And Business Opportunities That You Need To Know And Do Also

photo courtesy of beforeitsnews.com

IT is so refreshing to have the skills and indeed power to make and win friends, and influence people at the snap of a finger. Throughout history, most of the greatest people who lived have this skill. You too should. Like I will always say, it is no use re-inventing the wheel which men like Dale Carnegie perfected. Have you read the book, 

“How to Win Friends and Influence People”? If you have not, I strongly recommend it. It is the foundation of this post.

One of the most important things to do to win friends and influence people is to have genuine interest in people. Infact this is the core to making friends. Any wonder many religious and opinion leaders have many friends; they have genuine interest in people. And you know what, people know it when you fake it and act it. Develop a genuine interest people today and see your friendship list grow.

When you meet people, learn to smile. “Boning” as it is called in Nigeria, or frowning, sends out negative energy that drives people away from you. A smile has a way of warming you up to people. Boning is not macho, nor smiling feminine. Smile.

Are you aware that the sweetest and most important sound to majority of people is their name? Have you noticed people literally throw a fit because you misspelt or mispronounced their name, worse of all, that you did not remember their name? The point here is that you must make effort to remember and address people by their name. Quoting Carnegie, “the ability to remember names is almost as important in business and social contacts as it is in politics”.

photo courtesy of shannonmiller.me

According to Prof John Dewey, “the desire to be important is the deepest urge in human nature”. Do you now understand why you and I make all that effort; the desire to be important. To make friends and influence people therefore, learn to always make the other person feel important. No wonder the term VIP, Very Important Person, has been and will always be with us. Make that other person a VIP and see your friendship blossom. You can do a couple of things in this regard depending on culture and orientation. But generally speaking, giving respect and honour to the other person works wonder.

Do you want to make friends and influence people, then never argue with someone as to prove him wrong. You ask why? You can’t win an argument. If you lose it, you lose it, and if you win it, you lose it also. It you triumph over the other man, you feel fine. However, the other man, or well woman, will resent your triumph because you have hurt his or her pride, and made him feel inferior. Abraham Lincoln advises us to “better give your path to a dog than be bitten by him in contesting for the right. Even killing the dog would not cure the bite”. Remember you want to win friends and not be a martyr.  

People like to talk. The truth is that even our friends and loved ones would far rather talk to us about their achievements than listen to us boast about ours. With this reality in mind, let the other man do a great deal of the talking. A great mind once said and I quote, “if you want enemies, excel your friends; but if you want friends, let your friends excel you”.

Apply these tips and see the difference in your circle of friends and business opportunities. Begin today!

In your success journey, what insights have you acquired or tips you would like to share? Please share with us. I would like to hear from you. Your feedback is valued.

Also kindly encourage your friends to visit this blog www.iamchukwuemeka.blogspot.com for motivational and inspirational pieces. You may never know how it can benefit them.

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