Principle #3 Arouse an Eager Want

This is perhaps the most difficult of the initial principles in How to Win Friends and Influence People. What is it that others want? How do I motivate my team? How do I get the client to commit?

We all are in the business of understanding others. The key to arousing an eager want is found in the next behavior of building genuine interest. I have heard that we can motivate no one, but simply find what already motivates them. Perhaps the same is true with this principle.

So, what do we do? Here are three quick suggestions:

1. Where is the person already motivated and energetic? Finding out what already gets them going will clue us in to what will get them going now.

2. Where have they been motivated in the past? Past behavior indicates future action.

3. Test and review. Try several options and see what works. Be sure to pay attention to results!

Best of luck! Feel free to post on this blog and let me know your successes!

Behavior #2: Honest and Sincere Appreciation

How do you look at the world? What do you see in others? What is the first thought as you think about co-workers, employees, neighbors, or friends?

Dale Carnegie encourages us to see in others their strengths and talents. What is going right versus going wrong. Most current business literature implores us to build our people by emphasizing their strengths.

Without doubt, it is easy to see the best in those that are the best. There also may be those on our team that any positive attribute will stretch our thinking. Frankly, the best opportunity for us lies in the middle. Those tireless performers who constantly bring what was asked to the table. The consistent middle is ripe ground for development and praise. This probably includes those closest to us personally.

Take time this week for praise. Take mental time away from the current news and distress and instead spend time in your car thinking of the strengths of others. Let me know what happens...