I’m no fisherman but if you want to catch fish, who would you think like? Would you ask an experienced fisherman where and how to fish? If he did give you good advice he would have to think like a fish. Forgive the metaphor. If we want to improve the way we influence others we need to think like them. We need to understand their values, goals, personality. We need to think like them. I recently had lunch at a cafe. It was cool outside. The door was jammed open. The air-conditioning was on. I asked the person serving me if they could shut the door and turn off the air con. They said that it was very hot in the kitchen so they were trying to cool the place down. No thinking like a customer. No thinking like a fish.
It is hard to think like others. Hard to see through their eyes. Hard but necessary if you want to influence them. I was recently asked to complete an application form but was given one in Vietnamese. This must be what it’s like to come to Australia with no English.
Try it for a full day. Think like the people you meet, serve, sell to, manage and lead. If you think like other motorists you may avoid an accident. Maybe even try it at home. Take ‘when I was your age’ out of your phrase book. We are all on earth to serve each other. You can do this so much better if you think like the person you are serving. Also helps when you are buying gifts or paying compliments.
Paddy Spruce
9808 8990
