eTip #562 - No One Really Wins in an Argument

No One Really Wins in an Argument 

Have you ever argued with someone with a hard head? You know you’re right, the hard-headed person may know you’re right also but they insist on continuing the argument. They might find a way to harp on semantics or criticize your delivery just for the sake of keeping the argument going. For them, it’s “about the principle.” No matter who is right, arguments usually don’t end well. In business, they can come with a major price to pay.
Section three in Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People covers the topic of winning people over to your way of thinking. There’s a heavy emphasis on arguments. Carnegie doesn’t actually believe in arguing. He’s better than most of us. But he does realize that we all have disagreements. He gives recommendations on how we can “fight” without every truly getting mad. Let’s break down four of them. You’ll have to pick up the book for the other tips.
Never tell them that they’re wrong
Resisting the urge to be right and bask in your rightness is a short-sighted victory. When you tell someone that they wrong they rush into defense mode and tension escalates. Carnegie recommends that you go into the situation acknowledging that you yourself may be, wrong. With that thought in mind, ask the other person to examine the facts. Through this humble approach, the other person opens up to examining the flaws in their own argument. From there, they will reach their own conclusions without any brash accusations from you.
Admit when you’re wrong
After you’ve examined the facts together, you may realize that your own argument may be flawed. It’s time to acknowledge it. Here’s is where many adults struggle. Naturally we want to avoid the humiliation of being wrong. However, when we acknowledge our shortcomings and even apologize for them, we will likely welcome a more forgiving attitude from the other person. This will minimize the chances for resentment.
Allow the other person to feel that the idea is their own
Dale Carnegie says this is achieved by honestly seeing things from the other person’s point of view.  This skill is a major key to neutralizing a potentially fiery argument. It’s an advanced Dale Carnegie tip that we touch on the Dale Carnegie Training Courses. Letting another person think the solution is their idea is absolute gold when it comes to arguments because it greatly reduces the chances for bad blood when the fight is over. Everyone believes that they’ve won once you’ve mastered this art.
Let the other person do the majority of the talking
Letting the other person do the majority of the talking is a simple principle that gets lost in an argument more often than not. Remembering this will keep the disagreement from elevating to a shouting match. People love to hear themselves talk and appreciate having the opportunity to express themselves. Regardless of the outcome, if the other person has had the opportunity to get it all off their chest, they will leave the situation feeling better about themselves and you.
We’ve only scratched the surface of this topic. Dale Carnegie gives 8 other tips that have changed the way people “argue” as leaders. Through this strategy, most professionals walk away learning that no one really wins an argument at all. If you’re interested in turning your arguments into constructive disagreements, consider grabbing a seat in the Dale Carnegie Training Course while seats are available. Many of his Golden Rules will be instilled in you in a real-life way so that you may never truly lose an argument again.

For more information, please visit our website! www.westernct.dalecarnegie.com

eTip # 651 A Page from Richard Branson’s Book

Richard Branson is the Billionaire who founded the Virgin Group, which controls more than 400 companies today.  Known for disrupting industries, his leadership approach sets him apart from the traditional ways of business. He recognizes that people are not truly successful unless they enjoy what they’re doing and allow time for fun. His empire was built on investing wisely in his business and his staff with the power of people always at the forefronts of his every decision. Here’s what we can learn from him.

Invest in the Right PEOPLE

Investing in startups is really an investment in people. Richard Branson took $1 million dollars and blindly invested into the early-stage tech startup, Twitter. It is important to invest time, energy and capital into the growth and wealth of your people. Most companies are not willing to take a risk on new concepts, ideas and pursuits because the risk is too great, but Branson showed us that we should.

Prioritize Social Responsibility

If you want to invest like Branson, this tip is a major key. Investors should seek out companies with services that will help their community or leave a positive impact on the world. Our social responsibility cultivates a positive synergy and gives people purpose.

Prioritize YOU Time

Many of us are taught to believe that if we work 100 hours per week, we’ll eventually become successful. While the work must be done in order to see a payoff, Branson has showed us that our work shouldn’t cost us our vitality. We don’t need to buy into the idea that being overworked guarantees success.

 Welcome New Ideas

There is always something we can do better. Branson recognizes that companies that are radically different survive because they stand out. In fact, Branson has never been afraid to say “yes” to new concepts, ideas and pursuits.

Let Your Failures and Weaknesses Guide You

Branson sets the example of a man who never lets his obstacles become his limitations. Despite having dyslexia, tax issues and financial troubles in his early stages, he has never let any of this hold him back. He chose to learn from his mistakes, address his shortcomings and use them to guide him through his career.

Richard Branson’s career is not a guaranteed success map but it can set a foundation for doing business. Everyone’s journey will be different but we can all take a page from his book.  His relationships with people propelled his career forward. We teach students about this in our Winning with Relationship Selling course. His ability to communicate as were the markings of a true leader. Our students learn how to do this for themselves in our High Impact Presentations and Leadership Training for Managers courses. Our Dale Carnegie Training Courses have been providing professionals with the skills needed to live more like Branson!

For more information, visit our website 

eTip # 650 Why DIY Education Isn’t Always the Answer

Why DIY Education Isn’t Always the Answer

June 5, 2017

By Bob Dickson 

With everything you could possibly want to learn just a quick Google search away, the DIY mindset has taken over this generation! The concept of do-it-yourself is hardly a new one, but in the age of information and instant gratification, it’s here to stay. People love the idea of learning on their own, saving money and customizing their experiences.

When it comes to high-level topics like finding the best dinner recipes or figuring out how to perfect your tie tying technique, video tutorials will do just fine. For more complex subject matters, like leadership or public speaking, picking up a few books on that topic area might be helpful, but nothing beats one-on-one training!

While teaching ourselves can be useful, we lose the benefit of having input from someone else. This means we can sometimes miss our own mistakes. One-on-one support and environmental learning has a few key benefits that we would have a difficult time attaining all on our own.

Access to the expert
Unlike working alone, you have the benefit of the expert at your fingertips in a one-on-one setting. If perhaps a reading is unclear to you there are people to ask in real-time for clarification. When we are teaching ourselves something complex, we are often left with questions. Mentors have a wealth of experience to streamline the learning process for you.

Feedback
We tend to have our own biases about ourselves. This can inadvertently affect the feedback we provide ourselves when we’re learning new things. Engaging with others allows us to receive unbiased criticism, advice and even praise that encourages confidence.

Heightened engagement
Many people approach self-teaching with a sense of isolation. The interactive component of working with a mentor or in a classroom unlocks creativity and engages people to learn in new ways.

Support and understanding from others
Classmates and teachers are on this journey with you. That communal culture encourages us to keep going. Being surrounded with like minded individuals that support your mission inspires us to see our challenges through to the end.

Enhanced critical thinking
Because we are in good company, we are more likely to catch our own mistakes. In group settings or one-on-one sessions, we are often expected to challenge the how and why more than we would on our own. Constructive criticism nurtures educated decision making.

Regular exploration of your industry is critical for staying ahead of the curve in our ever-changing world. This is something we can do on our own. But even some of the most successful people in business still give credit to mentors and educators for their many accomplishments. World-renowned business mogul Warren Buffett says his experience with the Dale Carnegie Training Courses shaped his career in many ways. You may have heard his famous quote: “It’s good to learn from your mistakes. It’s better to learn from other people’s mistakes.”

For more information, visit our website