One of the most effective ways to influence others is to find something you both share an interest in. It’s obvious, isn’t it? You would prefer to spend time with people who think the way you do, or who do the things you like to do, rather than with the people who don’t.

Why Shared Interests are Important

Have you ever met someone for the first time and instantly hit it off? There’s an instant connection, and chances are, it’s because you both found something in common right away. There could be a hundred different reasons as to what that might be, but that shared interest can help the conversations flow and a connection develop.

It helps to feel more comfortable with that person and leads to trust and likability. When someone feels like you understand them or share similar experiences, they’re more likely to want to be around you, to talk to you, to listen to you. They will value your opinions, and be influenced by your perspective. Continue reading →

Trust is everything. You can’t have any solid relationship without it. If there’s no trust, business relationships fail and personal relationships fail too. That’s why, when it comes to influencing others, there’s no better way to build that trust than by being reliable and keeping your word!

Trust is something you have to earn and you don’t earn it overnight. It grows slowly through your repeated actions that show you can be counted on. Every time you follow through on a promise or show up when you say you will, you’re reinforcing that sense of reliability. Over time, people will begin to see you as someone who is consistent and dependable.

Each time you keep your word, your relationship gets a little bit stronger, but if you break your word, it can be devastating, or slow to rebuild trust again. While one missed commitment might not destroy the relationship, if there is a pattern of unreliability, well, there will be consequences. It’s not just about the inconvenience of a broken promise, it’s about the message you’re sending. Continue reading →