HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS AND NOT INFLUENCE PEOPLE

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It happened to me yesterday.  It happened to me last week.  In fact, it happens all the time.

I get an e-mail from someone that says, “Call me.”  Now what is that all about?  Basically what they are saying is my time is more important than your time, so I’ll make you go through the effort of trying to reach me rather than me go through the effort of trying to reach you.

My father had a good friend, Harold Shevin.  He owned Standard Furniture & he was probably the best business person I ever me.  Up until his death a number of years ago, if I had a business question or problem he was the man I would call on.

There were two things Harold cared about.  He loved people & he loved his work.  But there were two things that made him absolutely crazy.  One was when he called someone on the phone & the secretary would ask, “Whose calling?”  That meant the person he was calling was going to know in advance who was on the phone so he could make the decision if Harold was important enough to talk with.  Harold bristled & responded, “The President of the United States!”  Then he would slam the phone down.

The other thing Harold didn’t like was when someone’s assistant called & said, “Hold a minute, Mr. Smith would like to talk with you.”  This is actually the same as someone who e-mails you asking you to call. They are saying they are superior to you so sit there and twiddle your thumbs while Mr. Smith finishes his more important work.

If you are trying to get in touch with someone, it’s probably in your best interest to have them like you.  I don’t think it would be helpful to send them an e-mail that would indicate you think you are more important than they are.  What do you think?  This is David Sher your WeMentor Guy saying it’s not what you know, but whOO you know.