DITCH THE EGO, MAKE CONNECTIONS!
When trying to create a relationship whether in business or socially, the first meeting means everything. You want your new acquaintance to like you and, more importantly, you want to be comfortable.
Equip Yourself with the Right Tools.
To ensure the desired outcome, you must approach the situations with a different mindset. Naturally, we worry about how people will react to us. Will they like us or not?
This mindset will leave you thinking, “that was really awkward” after most encounters. Why? Because your concern about yourself prevented the natural human connection between you and your audience.
The following tools will help change your mindset and eliminate those “awkward” encounters:
- Drop the ego: Your ego makes you fearful because your counterpart has the power to say you are wrong or stupid or rude. By setting your ego aside, you open yourself up and establish trust.
- Create comfort: When you drop your ego, you can focus on your counterpart. Since you know everyone desires comfort, you can appeal to others by talking about their interests, things you have in common, or figuring out ways to help them.
- Greet them like your friends: If you want to be taken seriously, there is no room for formal greetings. I was raised to call adults Mister and Misses and sir and ma’am, and I am grateful for that, but engaging others on such terms creates a hierarchy. To be taken seriously, approach everyone as a friend. It is not Mr. Jones, it is Jim. If you engage Jim like you have been friends for years, the subconscious connection will convince Jim to act accordingly. The positive encounter will be memorable, and he will take you seriously.
Your old mindset is wrong.
The following two approaches are what most people default to, but should be avoided if you want to create connections.
- “Just be yourself.” This approach is the epitome of ego driven communication. You are telling your counterpart that they have to accept you whether they like it or not and that her preferences and comfort mean nothing to you. What type of first impression does that make when the thing we desire most is comfort? It is the ultimate barrier to true connection.
- Formal vs. Informal. Formal greetings should be saved for people you are comfortable taking second chair to. That should not be very many people. To be empowered, you have to realize that the moment you engage someone formally, with Mister or Misses, for example, you are fighting an uphill battle to prove that you are not inferior. Do not set yourself back. Nobody is better then you.
Solidify Good Habits and Make Better Connections!
A bad first impression is nearly impossible to reverse. Speaking softly, arrogantly, or uncomfortably will define your audience’s perception of you. No matter how often you act like yourself afterwards, those people will always see you in the light you first presented.
By understanding the proper tools, you can approach all new greetings with certainty. Take your life out of fate’s hands and hone your new skills with Empowered Prose. We will coach you to communicate with strength.
We teach you how to say what you want so you can be heard and develop the presentation that works for you. Never again will you walk away worrying about what you said or how you sounded.
Stand tall and speak your mind. Join the Empowered Team and approach every exchange with confidence and power!