This Week's Guest Article:

This was written by a professional speaker friend in Hawaii Loren Ekroth.


HOW TO BECOME A PEOPLE MAGNET


What makes a person so attractive that people are
magnetically drawn to them? Think of people
you are drawn to, that you like to be around.
What makes them such people magnets?

Of course, physical attractiveness helps, as
does celebrity. But for most of us who are
neither physical "10s" or famous, we can still
become highly attractive to others. Here's how:

SHOW GENUINE INTEREST IN OTHERS

This behavior is in relatively short supply because
so many people are self-centered or self-absorbed,
more interested in how they are being seen than
in others. Because most humans get great
satisfaction from others' interest in them, when
you bestow your interest on others, they like
being around you. Everyone has a story to tell.
Be curious and listen to their story.

Being curious is within your control. Remember
the interpersonal style of the TV detective Columbo
played by Peter Falk? Express genuine interest.
He showed a non-intrusive curiosity that even
suspects were willing to respond to. When you
ask questions sincerely and gently, you'll learn a
lot, and others will be honored that you want to
know about them and their ideas.

BE EASY TO BE WITH

Have a light touch, and don't take yourself too
seriously. Avoid being touchy - cactussy -
with lots of judgments and stern opinions.
Don't be argumentative trying to be right.
Be generous with compliments and open
to others' points of view.

(These behaviors are also within your control.)

HAVE A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR

Humor doesn't require you to have a stash of jokes
to tell. (Joke-telling makes YOU, not them, the center
of attention). Instead, humor involves being able to
see the lighter side of life, to laugh at the foibles
of humanity, and to acknowledge the silly side
of yourself. Overly-serious people can be a drag,
as you know. Don't be one of them.

BE AN ARTESIAN WELL OF INFORMATION

Be a person "in the know." Be aware of practical
stuff ("Where can I get a good deal on a bedroom
set?") as well as people ("Talk to George about
that tech problem; he's a real maven about
computing.") You can become a "hub" among
people who will value you as one who knows
many others in some depth.

If we remain narrowly interested in only a few subjects
and not widely knowledgeable, it's more difficult to talk
about the many interests of people we meet. Being
a narrow specialist can make us a bore. Be a generalist.

DON'T BE A KNOW-IT-ALL

Even if you know a lot, don't be a smart-ass.
Being knowledgeable helps you relate to others,
but not if you use your knowledge to show off,
one-up others, and try to have the last word.
Hold your knowledge lightly and don't feel com-
pelled to always share what you know. Social
wisdom requires discernment of when to speak
and when to remain silent. (This is especially true
when we're with children or young people.)
Carry your knowledge with some humility.


Dr. Loren Ekroth is a speaker and international expert on conversation who publishes his "Better Conversations" ezine each Tuesday. Rich resources and f*ree subscription
available at his site, http://www.conversation-matters.com" (Highly recommended.)

Stop or Start to Advance






What are 5 things we would gain from stopping in order to advance our organizations?

My suggestion is that people focus on STARTING to do 5 things to
advance their organizations.

START:

1- Leading people when necessary and teach them to manage themselves and
their work.

2- Communicating more by listening 3 to 6 times more than you talk.

3- Developing teamwork skills in all employees so those skills will be used
when needed.

4- S.P.R.E.A.D.ng Creative Thinking throughout your entire workplace
(Supporting, Promoting, Recognizing, Encouraging, Applying, Developing).

5- Focusing on adding more meaningful FUN into your daily work. To quote
Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry's, "If We Ain't Havin' Fun, Why the Hell
Are We Doing IT?"

And a bonus- Accept that Conflict is part of life and have your people trained
in a minimum of 5 strategies of dealing with conflict from the small to the
major things in your workplace.


alan@cre8ng.com
http://www.cre8ng.com

LEADERS APPEAR WHEN NECESSARY

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5327/1312/1600/200mecoloplastfair.0.jpg

My 46 years of working have shown me that when LEADERS are needed they APPEAR. They are not always the same people and they are not always people who hold a rank, title, or a position. They generally are the people with the skills needed and the respect of the people that need to be led at that moment.

For years I have given workshops and speeches titled:

AMERICANS HATE TO BE MANAGED AND WILL FOLLOW LEADERS THEY BELIEVE IN, AT LEAST FOR A SHORT WHILE.

We do not jump out of bed in the morning shouting and pounding our chests saying...

I WANT TO BE MANAGED

or

PLEASE LED ME

All human beings when treated with respect who are appreciated and trusted can get their jobs done best.

When all HELL breaks lose some times leaders need to appear to guide us until things settle down.

Leaders of companies, teams, volunteer groups can be helpful if their mission is trusted and believed in by the people who need to be led at the time.

Too often books on Leaders, Leading, Leadership are about mythical characters who too often only existed in name only.

The best "leaders" i have met or read about surrounded themselves with excellent people and focused on helping people accomplish joint goals of the group.

What do you think?

alan@cre8ng.com
http://www.cre8ng.com