Wisdom for a Winning Personality –Part 2

We must come to grips with the fact that whatever goals we desire to achieve will require interaction with other people. Consequently, we must be mindful of behaviors and character traits that attract/motivate people and those that repel/demotivate them. As you read the following tips for a winning personality {see Part 1 for the previous list}, consider these additional areas where you may need to shore up your interactions with others.

  • Make every effort to remember names. To him, a person’s name is the sweetest and most important sound in any language.
  • Always make the other person feel important and valued; do it sincerely and without hidden motives. Booker T. Washington said, “A sure way to lift one’s self up is by helping to lift someone else.”
  • Praise the small and large accomplishments of others, especially your employees and family members.
  • Be flexible and patient when unexpected situations arise. Learning to go with the flow will increase your emotional and spiritual maturity.
  • Be a peacemaker in every situation; resist partiality or respect of persons.
  • Be a team player. It will take you farther than being the Lone Ranger. Don’t worry about getting credit; you’ll get what’s yours.
  • Earn the right to give constructive criticism by consistently showing concern for the other person’s well-being. Always give him your input in private and after much prayer.
  • Laugh.  Look for the humor in negative situations. Laughter releases endorphins, the chemicals in your brain that make you feel good. Laughter is also contagious.
  • Learn to be “bi-social”. Know when to relax the rules of etiquette according to the situation or environment, lest you appear stuffy and pretentious.
  • Maintain a positive attitude. Believe, according to Romans 8:28, that all things are working together for your good when you love God and are called according to His purpose.

Excerpted from: SOCIALLY CONFIDENT IN 60 SECONDS by Deborah Smith Pegues