Here’s a quote that I really like:
“Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, ‘Make me feel important’. Not only will you succeed in sales, you will succeed in life.”
Mary Kay Ash
That reminded me of something my father told me when I was about 10 years old. We were at a restaurant having dinner when this man, a client of my Dad’s, walked over and began talking. My older sister and I thought the conversation was so boring and hoped he would soon leave so we could continue chatting about our day. This man stayed for about 15 minutes (although when you’re 10 years old, that seems like hours!)
Once he had left and was out of ear-shot, Dad apologised to us for having spent so long talking with this very boring person. My father went on to explain that the man was a bit of a loner, and just liked to talk for the company. He then said that no matter who we are speaking with, we must remember that every person we meet knows something that we don’t. EVERY BODY is worth listening to.
Throughout life, I’ve met several people who haven’t appeared very interesting on the surface but whom, with time and ‘listening’, I have learnt a lot and sometimes have become good friends with them.
Here’s to making everyone feel important, and to your business success…