Keys to Connecting

Connecting with people is difficult. Yet, it’s a skill that is desperately needed if you want to make a difference in this world. What if I could give you some quick tips that will make your interactions with others less challenging? Would you be interested? Good, let’s get started.

I’ll be using Dale Carnegie’s book, How to Win Friends & Influence People as my guide for this post and others that will follow on this topic.

Tip #1

Don’t criticize. We live in a world that is fascinated by the negative. However, when working with others, pointing out a person’s negatives tends to have a debilitating effect. It puts the person on the defensive and will effectively end all communication going forward.

Here is a couple of quotes from Dale Carnegie…

When dealing with people, let us remember we are not dealing with creatures of logic. We are dealing with creatures of emotion, creatures bristling with prejudices and motivated by pride and vanity.

If you really want to have an impact on people, find things that are positive and focus on those attributes. As your relationship grows, you will earn the right to point out areas where improvement is needed. Even then, you need to be careful when offering growth areas for your friend.

Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain – and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.

I’ve said for a long time that we judge others by their behaviors while we want to be judged by our intentions. It’s so easy to witness something and be judgmental and unforgiving. If you really want to help someone, take the time to hear their side. Seek first to understand before being understood yourself. You will go a long way toward impacting a person if you truly listen to them.

I hope those quick points help! Until next time!

Have any challenging situations you would like to share?