Principle 2: Give Honest and Sincere Appreciation
The only way to get anyone to do anything is to make them want to do it. People want to do things because of the gratification they get, and the need to be appreciated or feel important is one of the deepest human desires. If you can fulfill that need, people will love you.
Constantly ask yourself: "What can I honestly admire about this person?", and show people your appreciation, every time, everywhere.
- People need/want a feeling of importance, appreciation, and compliments.
- People can satisfy their desire for a feeling of importance by doing great things, terrible things, or seeking attention/sympathy.
- Schwab said that his greatest asset is his ability to arouse enthusiasm in others. He uses appreciation and encouragement.
- Motivationally, honest appreciation gets results where criticism and ridicule fail.
"Flattery will do you more harm than good." Appreciation is sincere and flattery is insincere. Appreciation is unselfish, from the heart out, and universally admired. Flattery is selfish, from the teeth out, and is universally condemned.
Practice Principle 2
With words of true appreciation, we have the power to completely change another person's perception of themselves, improve their motivation, and be a driving force behind their success. When you think about it like that - when we have nothing to lose and only positive outcomes to gain - why wouldn't we offer genuine appreciation more often?