…don’t think alike. They challenge each other to think again. Intellectual chemistry occurs not when you both agree but when you enjoy disagreeing and then work together to get it right rather than be right. “Even if I don’t like it, what parts of what they’re saying could be right? And in which situations?” is…
So many arguments grow because of differing definitions of words or terms. (See Layne’s Law). If you’re arguing, pause to ask and understand how the other person describes specific words or terms you’ve used. Then describe how you see that word. Then, pick things up from the new understanding, not the word. You might find…
The easiest way to ride a horse is in the direction it’s already going. Then, with all resistance dropped for a while, it begins to let you turn it. And the same applies to conversations with people.
Your mind is cloudy. And heavy. And noisy. You know why? Because it got that way. Because it likes to add stuff. And then a bit more. And a bit more… It just can’t leave the most simple of its observations alone. It just has to tamper with them. It quickly takes what it notices…
Want to see how you might look through the eyes of someone else? Here are two ways to get closer to this: 1. What values of theirs do you admire? They probably notice and admire the same in you. 2. What do you not like so much about them? Take the opposite of that. Go…
There are two types of value: I rhymed them intentionally to help recall, because they’re worth recalling. If you just provide the value people request, you’re leaving an awful lot of value on the table. Because all of us can only see so far. You provide more value and become more valuable when you also…
I’m often asked by clients which of their current employees should be selling or engaging customers. There are numerous traits that suggest someone could ‘sell’, or be a strong leader (because the two roles are similar). But I’ve boiled down my top three: 1. They have strong ‘belief in cause’ 2. They’re credible in front…
Pay-off: Plenty of ideas to make better decisions Investment: 3 minutes Sign up to monthly posts here Of course, you could use the ideas below to help other people make decisions too. Including buying and selling decisions. OK, let’s learn by doing: Pick a decision you’re currently trying to make. Now, stop trying to make…
Pay-off: you might just crack that tough nut who’s in denial Investment: 7 minutes Sign up to weekly posts here Ooh, this is a tricky one isn’t it? Now, let’s be clear, I’m no expert in dealing with ‘denial’ as such. Having said that, the nature of my work means that I work with people…
Pay-off: shift your focus to this and you’ll become more persuasive Investment: 3 minutes Sign up to monthly posts here As with most of the ideas on this blog, this one applies to anyone – that’s you – not just people in sales. This tip applies when you’re interacting with other people and you need…