Genuine people don’t try to make
people like them
Genuine people are who they are.
They know that some people will
like them, and some won’t. And
they’re okay with that. It’s not that
they don’t care whether or not other
people will like them but simply
that they’re not going to let that get
in the way of doing the right thing.
They’re willing to make unpopular
decisions and to take unpopular
positions if that’s what needs to be
done.
Since genuine people aren’t
desperate for attention, they don’t
try to show off
They know that when they speak
in a friendly, confident, and concise
manner, people are much more
attentive to and interested in what
they have to say than if they try to
show that they’re important. People
catch on to your attitude quickly
and are more attracted to the right
attitude than what or how many
people you know.
They don’t pass judgment
Genuine people are open-minded,
which makes them approachable
and interesting to others. No one
wants to have a conversation with
someone who has already formed
an opinion and is not willing to
listen.
Having an open mind is crucial in
the workplace, as approachability
means access to new ideas and help.
To eliminate preconceived notions
and judgment, you need to see the
world through other people’s eyes.
This doesn’t require you to believe
what they believe or condone their
behavior; it simply means you quit
passing judgment long enough to
truly understand what makes them
tick. Only then can you let them be
who they are.
They forge their own paths
Genuine people don’t derive their
sense of pleasure and satisfaction
from the opinions of others. This
frees them up to follow their own
internal compasses. They know
who they are and don’t pretend to
be anything else. Their direction
comes from within, from their own
principles and values. They do what
they believe to be the right thing,
and they’re not swayed by the fact
that somebody might not like it.
They are generous
We’ve all worked with people who
constantly hold something back,
whether it’s knowledge or resources.
They act as if they’re afraid you’ll
outshine them if they give you
access to everything you need to do
your job.
Genuine people are unfailingly
generous with whom they know,
what they know, and the resources
they have access to. They want you
to do well more than anything else
because they’re team players and
they’re confident enough to never
worry that your success might make
them look bad. In fact, they believe
that your success is their success.
They treat EVERYONE with
respect
Whether interacting with their
biggest clients or servers taking
their drink orders, genuine people
are unfailingly polite and respectful.
They understand that no matter
how nice they are to the people
they have lunch with, it’s all for
naught if those people witnesses
them behaving badly toward others.
Genuine people treat everyone with
respect because they believe they’re
no better than anyone else.
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