Zig On…Communication Is Important

By Zig Ziglar

The dictionary says that to communicate is “to impart, to give to another, as a partaker, to confer for joint possession, to bestow, as that which the receiver is to hold, retain, use or enjoy.  To impart as knowledge, to reveal, to give as information, either by words, signs or signals, as to communicate intelligence, news, opinions.”

Despite the fact that we have incredible technology which enables us to “communicate” instantly with people all over the world, we’re still woefully short on one-on-one communication skills.  Effective communication skills are critical to building good relationships and to increasing productivity and the effectiveness of the people with whom we associate.  Basically, leaders know how to communicate and they communicate in many ways.  Once, while jogging in Chattanooga, I passed a house that had a sign which said, “No Trespassers.”  Underneath it, the sign said, “Trespassers Will Be Shot – Survivors Will Be Shot Again.”  That’s communication.

Fiero LaGuardia was mayor of New York during World War II, before America entered the conflict.  During his tenure he was given the unenviable task of providing police protection for a group of Nazi dignitaries who were visiting the city.  He had no choice but to provide it, but he communicated very strongly by making certain that every member of the police force assigned to protect those men were Jews.  I’m confident Hitler got the message.  That’s communicating.

I love the little story told by Herm Albright who, after watching a middle-aged waitress going about her business efficiently and with a smile for everyone, decided to compliment her on her good humor.  She responded, as she continued to work, “It’s like this.  If you see the twinkles, you won’t notice the wrinkles.”  That’s communication.

Think about your communication skills.  Practice good communicating techniques in your personal, family and business life.  The better you do it, the more likely I am to SEE YOU AT THE TOP! 

Zig Ziglar is known as America’s motivator.  He is the author of 29 books and numerous audio and video recordings.  He brings his message of hope to thousands on the stages at the Get Motivated Seminars.  See him in action!

Quote

Ambition, fueled by compassion, wisdom and integrity, is a powerful force for good that will turn the wheels
of industry and open the doors of opportunity for you and countless others.   ~Zig Ziglar

The Most Important Things In Life Are Not Things!

By Dr. Robert Rohm

The Stanford Research Institute, Harvard University, and the Carnegie Foundation once spent over one million dollars and five years of research studying why some people succeed. After the study was concluded, it was determined that 15% of the reason a person is able to get a job, keep a job, and move ahead in that job, is determined by his or her technical skills and knowledge, regardless of the profession. The other 85% of the reason a person is able to get a job, keep that job, and move ahead in that job, is directly related to people skills. It soon becomes apparent that working with people and managing people, starting with ourselves, must be a high priority if we are going to be successful.

Even though I have heard that statistic quoted many times, I am still amazed at how much of business and life is primarily dictated by the task at hand, rather than the people skills that are necessary to complete the job. It seems to me that because the task often overrides the relationship, we tend to get our eyes on the wrong thing. We frequently focus on accomplishing the task in front of us rather than realizing the value found in relationships.

Almost every marriage begins on a great note because two people set out to build a lasting relationship. However, it is not long until accomplishing tasks becomes the norm. Getting up, going to work, paying the bills, cutting the grass, house repairs, car maintenance, painting the fence…well, I think you get the idea. Can you see how the tasks scream at you and it is not long before it drowns out the relationship?

Anyone who has ever had children understands this as well. It starts with such a beautiful relationship when your own flesh and blood is born into the world. And quickly, the tasks begin – feeding, changing, and watching the baby. That infant quickly becomes a young child. Then, protecting them, raising them, educating them, training them, taking them to school and to all sorts of school activities…I think you get the idea again. See how the task constantly pulls against the relationship? Yet, according to the study that I quoted above, the most important aspect of success has to do with people skills and relationships while only 15% has to do with the tasks that seem to so easily consume us. I don’t know about you, but I find that simply remarkable.

The place I see this demonstrated best is in restaurants. Naturally, when you go into a restaurant, you are going there for the purpose of eating. Therefore, it is a task you are trying to accomplish. Yet, stop and think about it for a minute. The person who can either make or break the entire experience is usually the server who waits on you. If they have a positive, upbeat, friendly attitude when you place your order, almost everything goes well. But, if they seem to have a sour, bent-out-of-shape attitude, it immediately makes the experience unpleasant. It even causes the food you order not to taste as good! I would be willing to bet that the majority of the times when we go out to eat most of us have a good experience. However, we have all had a bad experience on occasion. It usually has very little to do with the food and almost everything to do with the relational connection which we call service. That is why the relationship, whether in sales or service, must be the deciding factor that carries the day.

Do you treat the people that you work with every day like they are important to you? What about the people you live with or your extended family? What about those that you hardly know, but whom you come in contact with on a fairly regular basis? One of the most valuable pieces of information that I possess is the knowledge that relationships are more important than things; that people are more important than tasks; and that success, by a large margin, is found in our people skills, not in our technical skills or knowledge.

This week, step back and make a concentrated effort to have a paradigm shift in your life. I am not suggesting in any way that you give up learning the technical skills you need in order to accomplish the tasks you want to see completed. But, put the horse in front of that cart and go out of your way to demonstrate positive, uplifting, encouraging, helpful people skills with those with whom you come in contact. You will see a major difference in your own personal attitude as well as in the success rate of all that you do.

Have a great week! God bless you!

Dr. Rohm is a recognized expert, best-selling author and speaker, and president of Personality Insights, Inc.  He will be conducting a FREE webcast on August 4, 2010.  To find out more, click here.

Success 2.0

Making Sense of your People Puzzles
Presented by: Dr. Robert Rohm

August 4, 2010

At this webcast you will receive easy, practical communication tips you can capitalize on to enhance your personal and professional relationships.

Come spend 60 minutes with Dr. Rohm and learn:
• Tips to increase productivity and lower stress
• The “test” that everyone passes and why you should take it
• How to improve communication and foster cooperation
• What you need to know about your unique personality style
• How you can reveal your strengths, motivations, and learn how you work best on a team
• What the foundation of life is and how this contributes to your success
• How to build relationships that will help you achieve success

Register for this free webcast now.  

Word of the Week

Nescience
“nesh uhn”
Noun
1.  Lack of knowledge or awareness; ignorance.
Zig tries to clear up the nescience that you are controlled by your circumstances. 

Zingers
By Croft M. Pentz

We all have the right to be wrong in our opinions but not in our facts.
 
There are more idle brains than idle hands.
 
The sign “Proceed at your own risk” should be placed on all roads to higher education.
 
Reading makes a full man; writing an exact man.
 
Forget your mistakes, but remember what they taught you.

This newsletter is published by Ziglar, Inc.  Ziglar.com

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