Knowing Yourself and Communicating It
I listened to Karl Rove on the radio talking about how John McCain can win in November. He focused on developing the story about John and gave many examples: the McCain’s adoption and raising a foster child, his father and grandfather’s committment to their country through militaty service, and his own story of captivity during war as a character builder.
The point that Rove made was that voters want to know the people they are voting for; once they do, assuming the “story” is a good one, they are more likely to listen to the candidates positions. Note I did not say “agree with”- simply listen to them with a mind “opened” by knowledge of a person.
This sounds like a good personal strategy to adopt in all relationships whether they be political, business or personal, or through the medium of TV, email or blogging. The execution of this strategy is more difficult however. I’ve resisted sharing personal details that might benefit others in “getting to know me” through blogging, but readily share these types of things on a face-to-face level. Some say that “transparency” is always good- I’m not sure I agree. I think you have to first know yourself very well before you start “sharing”.
How have you shared your “story” with others to assist relationship building in business? In politics? In a group you belong to? Do you consciously resist sharing personal details? Is there a logic to your actions? How about an example of where sharing turned out to be disastrous?
Don’t miss a post! Subscribe via EMAIL or RSS.
