Lost for Words (Acceptance album) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I’ve said in previous posts that people do business with those they know, like, and trust. In order to like others, and to be liked, you must accept them and they you.
The following is from Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions by Guy Kawasaki.
For people to like you, they have to accept you. For people to accept you, you have to accept them. Here are four observations that will help you accept others in case you have difficulty doing so:
- People are not binary. People are not ones or zeros, smart or dumb, worthwhile or worthless. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, positives and negatives, competencies and deficiencies.
- Everyone is better than you at something. People who don’t accept others often think they are superior to everyone. But no one is superior to everyone in every way. You may be a rich investment banker, but the person you look down upon may be a great teacher.
- People are more similar than they are different. At a basic level, almost everyone wants to raise a family, do something meaningful, and enjoy life. This is true across races, cultures, creeds, colors, and countries. If you looked, you would discover that you have a lot in common with people whom you don’t like.
- People deserve a break. The stressed and unorganized person who doesn’t had the same priorities as you may be dealing with an autistic child, abusive spouse, fading parents, or cancer. Don’t judge people until you’ve walked a kilometer in their shoes. Give them a break instead.
