Common Sense Ideas for Becoming the Career Star You Are Meant to Be

Today is Friday, so this post is on Interpersonal Competence.

The other day, I picked up Jeffrey Gitomer’s new book: The Little Black Book of Connections.  The back cover copy says “this is a business book and a life book, not just a sales book.  You will learn how to make the initial connection, how to capture the opportunity and how to build rich relationships that last a lifetime.” 

Rich relationships that last a lifetime are what interpersonal competence is all about.

The Little Black Book of Connections begins with this great piece of common sense advice:

• "Everyone wants to be rich.  Although most people think being rich is about having money, rich is a description for everything but money.  Rich relationships lead to much more than money.  They lead to success, fulfillment and wealth."

These are some of the most profound words I’ve seen when it comes to business and life success.  Keep them in mind…

On pages 34 and 35, Mr. Gitomer presents a self quiz that he calls The Little Black Book Connection Self Test.  Connections are an important key to interpersonal competence.  The brief quiz has 15 items.  I am including the six items that are reflective of interpersonal competence here.  I suggest that you take a look at these six.  Answer “yes” if the item is basically true about you.  Answer “no” if the item is basically not true about you.

1. People like me.
2. I am constantly meeting new people.
3. When I meet new people, I engage them right away.
4. I help other people regularly.
5. I look to make connections for others.
6. People call me to help them make connections.

Take a look at the items to which you answered “yes”.  These are your strengths.  How can you use these strengths to help you become even more interpersonally competent?

Take a look at the items to which you answered “no”.  What can you do to turn the “no” into a “yes”?  Develop action plans for each item to which you answered “no” – and then put those plans to work.

I’ll leave you with one last piece of advice from Jeff Gitomer:

• "Connecting is all about your friendliness, your ability to engage, and your willingness to give value first.  When you combine these three attributes you will have uncovered the secret of powerful connections that lead to rich relationships."

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my other blog www.CommonSenseGuy.com for common sense advice on leading people and running a business, and my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.