How to Win Friends and Influence People

Often we try to attract talent by doing what we like rather than what would attract the individual. Dale Carnegie has a great story in his business books How to Win Friends and Influence People

"I often went fishing up in Maine during the summer. Personally, I am very fond of strawberries and cream, but I have found that for some strange reason, fish prefer worms. So when I went fishing, I didn't think about what I wanted. I thought about what they wanted. I didn't bait the hook with strawberries and cream. Rather, I dangled a worm or a grasshopper in front of the fish and said "Wouldn't you like to have that?"

When you think about attracting talent, attracting customers then you need to think about what attracts them? That may be different for each person. Do you generalise or individualise your offer?

Business Book Giveaway for You

Over on The Engaging Brand there is a chance to win a leadership book from Anna's extensive library!

All she wants you to do is to leave a comment suggesting a party game for the holiday season for leaders to play with their teams. This follows on from the post "What bad leaders might play at the office party..." Here are some of her suggestions

Pass the Message (Parcel) - Don't communicate directly, just pass on a message and let people pass on what they think they have heard!
Hide and Seek - Say you are a people person but hide in your office.
Pin the Tail on your Objectives - Give a general idea and then let people fumble about in the dark trying to work out what is expected of them.
Musical Chairs - Set a goal then keep taking resources away until there are none left
Charades - Say one thing and do another!

Have you got some ideas, have you some positive ideas as well as tongue in cheek ones if so pop over and see if you can win a book too!

What are your ten sentences as a leader?

One of my favourite authors is Mark Sanborn who has recently written the book "You Don't Need a Title to Be a Leader". He simplifies and writes in a way that makes total sense. One of the great parts of his writing is that he pulls from personal experience - he adds colour by adding stories.

In his latest book he points out that the Gettysburg Address is one of the greatest speeches in American history and yet it only contains 10 sentences. In those few words Abraham Lincoln was "able to convey great truths in a powerful and unforgettable way".

Mark adds that great leaders are not evaluated on the length at which they speak, but on the impact of their message. So "What are your 10 sentences as a leader?"

Making your life extraordinary

In the book the Fred Factor Mark Sanborn says

"there are no insignificant or ordinary jobs when they're performed by significant or extraordinary people"

I just love that idea. The people that have made your life special at home or at work, probably do not have a big job title - it is the way they behave.

Let me give an example. I go to the same place for a quick meal each weekend. Why ? Great food...no, great environment...not really, great prices...not as low as I think they should be!

No the real reason is because of the people who work there...they say Hi Anna, your usual? I will bring your drink over once I have finished serving this lady. The waitresses who are not highly paid make me feel special - when the restaurant took my favourite dish off the menu they continued to cook it for me! The point is that their jobs are not powerful or special - they are, they make me feel valued, and provide value through service. They have ordinary jobs that they make extraordinary.....I now have crossed my fingers ahead of going there tomorrow!