Empathy 101: Ten Commandments Of Human Relations
Author: Kerri Salls

These ten commandments of human relations aren't original to
me, and I don't know the source. At the same time, they don't
go out of style or out of date if you are in business. Everyone
in your business must imbue their efforts with these
commandments. They are required in every type of relationship
be it marketing or selling to clients, providing customer
support before or after the sale, working with and negotiating
with vendors or your support team and of course internal to
your organization.

These skills are not the sole domain of your designated human
resource professional. In fact they should be part of your
company's Hedgehog Concept (ref: From Good to Great by Jim
Collins, http://www.jimcollins.com/lib/books.html

As the leader of your team, go through these commandments and
consider how well you and everyone on your team abides by them.
Encouraging their use just might smooth some ruffled feathers or
diffuse a tense situation.

1. SPEAK TO PEOPLE

There is nothing like a cheerful word of greeting. To really
connect, look them in the eye as you speak.

2. SMILE AT PEOPLE

It takes 72 muscles to frown, only 14 to smile. They can hear
the difference in your voice - even over the phone.

3. CALL PEOPLE BY NAME

The sweetest music to anyone's ear is the sound of his/her own
name. Be sure you say it correctly. Say it often.

4. BE FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL

To have friends and build relationships, be a friend first.

5. BE CORDIAL

Sincerely speak and act as if everything you do is a genuine
pleasure.

6. BE GENUINELY INTERESTED IN PEOPLE

You can like almost everybody if you try. They don't care how
much you know until they know how much you care. Be sure they
know how much you care.

7. BE GENEROUS WITH PRAISE

Praise publicly, correct privately. Everyone wins this way.

8. BE CONSIDERATE

of the feelings of others. There are usually three sides to a
controversy: yours, the other person's, and the right side.
Keep ego and emotions in check.

9. BE ALERT

to give excellent service. What counts most is what we do for
others not ourselves.

10. HAVE A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR

Don't take yourself too seriously. When you add lots of
patience, and humility, you will have a recipe for enduring
success.

Do you think these are soft skills you can brush aside as
non-critical? Think again. In this Conceptual Age, a deeper
understanding of the subtleties of human interactions becomes
not only important but imperative. In fact, at the Stanford
Business School, students are flocking to one of the newer
courses called "Interpersonal Dynamics". Be sure everyone on
your team masters the basics.


About The Author: Kerri Salls, MBA runs a virtual business
school to train, consult and coach small business CEO's and
entrepreneurs in 10 key strategies to make more profit in less
time. Learn more at
http://www.breakthrough-business-school.com/products.html or
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