Tools for success

 

[Image credit: Arvind Balaraman]

My nest is still empty as of this post.  My grown-up daughter has been “on her own” for over two weeks and, quite honestly, I thought she’d be back already.  Oh, she’s been back — doing laundry, helping herself to a frozen pizza and the chocolates in the candy jar.  She’s picked up mail, slept on the sofa and brightened up the home with her stories and, most recently, mentioned the apartments she’s looking at.  It turns out she’s contemplating a move across town after the first of the year.  No longer a 10-minute drive for a visit, it will require more planning and no doubt less “drop-ins.”  The most notable part about the plan is the complex she’s looking at is the same one I lived in over 24 years ago.  I can only hope there’s more to the “like mother like daughter” saying, and that I’ve equipped her with the tools to be a success wherever she goes.

Where have you recently seen your influence in action?

Catching more flies with honey

[Image credit: Paul]

For the past week or so, I’ve dealt with a work-related request from a gentleman who wants something from my company.  The first email he sent me started out friendly enough but, following each of my responses, his replies have been less diplomatic.  Finally, he asked me to call him.  I thought, perhaps, on the phone he’d be more agreeable.  Instead, he was rather defensive to the point of rude.  Unfortunately for him, I am simply a go-between and not the decision-maker.  But I do wield some influence.  As a matter of fact, if you want something from me (and I believe this is typically how it works for the majority of the human population), you catch more of the proverbial flies with honey.  Apparently, this person was absent when the elementary instruction was doled out.  Suffice it to say, I passed along his message to the powers that be.  And the moral of the story: you never know who your biggest advocate will be, so make it a habit to be nice to everyone.

Are you a sweet-talker or a sour puss?