For Both of Us: You are Interesting. And Interested.

It’s easy to give advice. I think I find it easy to take advice too.
But for me to heed the words that I say to others? Not so easy.

So this one’s for both of us.

What’s the most valuable lesson a boss or mentor ever taught you?

Keith was my last boss at my last corporate job. To be clear, he’s not the one who drove me away from the office and back to grad school—nothing could have stopped me.

But years earlier, Keith did something that changed my life: He sent me to a Dale Carnegie course in Columbus, Ohio. It was a transformative experience. To this day, I still re-read “How to Win Friends and Influence People” and quote it often.

Like this: “To be interesting, be interested.”

Something about you is interesting to someone else.

Maybe it’s how you’re alike. Maybe it’s how you’re different. Maybe it’s something in between.

The best way to discover that?

Ask questions.

People often like to talk about themselves—so give them the space and time to do it. When they say something intriguing, don’t just nod and move on.

Say, “Tell me more.”

The best conversations aren’t about showing how interesting you are. They’re about showing how interested you can be.

You can do it. You’ll be glad you did.
(And so will I!)

See you tomorrow!

Thanks again Keith!

#DaleCarnegie #CompuServe #ColumbusOhio #HowtoWinFriendsandInfluencePeople