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BE MORE INTERESTED THAN INTERESTING

Boredom is what happens when I fail to make someone interesting.—WARREN BENNIS, FOUNDING CHAIRMAN, USC LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

You’re not just held hostage by the people who resist, bully, annoy, or get upset with you. You’re also held hostage to your own mistakes when you fail to break through to people who either (a) don’t know you at all or (b) don’t act like they care to know you well.

Do you ever think in frustration: “I could get somewhere if only I could get this person interested in me?” That’s exactly what I’m talking about. But here’s the thing: embodied in your statement is the reason you’re not getting through.

Why? Because you’re focusing all your attention on what you can say to make that person ...

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