By far the best endorsement for any company or product is a recommendation from a trusted friend. Or a trusted source. Why did you buy that book? A friend said I’d enjoy it. Why did you go and see that movie? Rotten Tomatoes said it was good. (I’m not endorsing Rotten Tomatoes as a reliable or unreliable source. it’s just an example).
It can also be the most damning. To quote myself, “Don’t use them. They are the most inefficient company I have ever had the misfortune to deal with”. I would name them here but not sure on the legality. But I have told everyone I know considering using them to steer clear. Don’t touch them with a barge pole. They have lost around £6000 of business from me! I mean here’s a quote from them after I enquired why a letter had yet to be sent, “The letter I will be sending you is on my desk and I will attempt to post it today” What do you mean “attempt”? How many times have you failed to post a letter? I don’t mean to brag but I have a 100% success record in all attempts to post letters that have been written.
Sorry. Back to trust. It is important Trust is at the core of every type of human transaction, whether it’s in business, family matters, or with a romantic partner. If you want to get hired, you need to inspire trust. If you want to make a sale, the prospect has to trust you. To get anyone to listen to your message, they have to feel that you’re on their side and won’t double-cross them.
I could write a whole book about trust so here I’ll just focus on the most important aspect. First impressions… before you even open your mouth
You gotta make a good first impression. Before you even say anything, be conscious of your body language. In fact get this right and what you say doesn’t even come a close second.
Smile. With your eyes, with your whole heart. Give whoever you are talking to a “don’t worry, your safe with me” genuine smile. Pretend it’s a long lost friend who you haven’t seen in years, or a celebrity you have long admired. The key here is being genuine. Fake it and it stands out like a beacon.
The handshake. A strong, firm handshake is absolutely essential no matter what your gender. It helps to say your name as you shake hands. Studies have shown that people are more likely to remember your name this way. But don’t use this just as a greeting. Use it to end the conversation too. Handshakes make your encounter more memorable.
Eye contact. Always look the other person in the eye for about a second while handshaking and smiling. This small gesture will add to your already impressive charisma. This is also important when in conversation. Look at the speaker and make eye contact with them.
Maintain eye contact. Usually people will keep eye contact for around 30 – 60 percent of the time. This is not enough. Try to go for a little more than 60 percent. This shows genuine interest in what the speaker is saying. Don’t go for 100 percent otherwise the speaker will think you’re a weirdo. Did I need to say that?
Mirror the speaker’s sentiments. This means, show the speaker you are listening. Nod your head, smile at their jokes. It tells the speaker, “I’m listening and am interested what you are saying” When people feel this they will automatically like you and therefore a trusting relationship will blossom!
When you practice and become natural at using all of these body language cues, you will give people reassurance and win their trust. They will view you as a genuine person who is sincerely interested in them. By mastering these simple gestures, you will possess the ability to make allies and be more influential among them.
