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Concentrate on others' interests from "summary" of How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
One of the best ways to make meaningful connections is to focus on the interests of others. Concentrating on what other people enjoy or care about can help create strong relationships and make a lasting impression. Taking the time to listen and understand what others are saying can help build strong, lasting connections.- Take an interest in the activities of others—their hobbies and interests. By engaging in conversations about their passions, you build a connection and gain insights into what truly matters to them.
- Ask questions and probe further on topics that are dear to them. The more relaxed the context the better – this facilitates the sharing of experiences and knowledge which could otherwise remain undiscovered.
- Empathize with opinions and feelings that are not your own. Do not judge or disregard someone's beliefs because they differ from yours. Instead, seek to understand them in order to foster mutual respect and appreciation.
- Attention to emotional cues will allow you to appreciate each other’s perspectives, identify commonalities and strengthen relationships. Listen actively and with compassion. Letting the other person know that you care enough to pay attention is invaluable.
- Put yourself in another person's shoes—what is important to witnesses will help you connect with them on a deeper level. This allows for more collaborative problem solving rather than immediate debate or antagonism.
- Respectfully challenge each other to grow and learn while exploring your differences. This allows for growth and understanding of different lifestyle traditions and ideas. Consider how these intersect and evolve together.
- Generosity can be found in listening to another person's story. Start by learning what brought them to where they are now and go on wider conversations. Being open-minded can enrich both of your perspectives.
- Be patient and take time to brainstorm together. Invite others to contribute to cooperative endeavors towards a common goal. Through collective effort, goals become achievable and even enjoyable as friendship and bonding are strengthened.
