Fortune Cookie Friday: Winning Them Over

When I read today’s fortune, I questioned what I would write. The information sounded like something said to a perspective ruler of a newly attained land—sage advice for someone that didn’t want a revolt from the citizenry. But how can information like this help someone like me? I don’t have a penchant for conquering cities and overthrowing governments.

I began to look at it from a business perspective. If someone were interested in taking over a company, it would benefit them to know all about it and the employees that work there. Why partake in a hostile takeover when you can win over the company one employee at a time and then acquire it with a happy workforce.

Again, I am not planning on taking over any companies at this time in my life. My business is too small to acquire another company, so where did this leave me? I live a simple life. I try not to step on the toes of others, but there are times when I have to persuade someone to change their opinion to get what I want. It is during those situations that this fortune can come in handy.

The city in the fortune could be any scenario that a group is involved in making a decision. Family members could choose where to go on vacation or friends could pick out a movie to watch. In these scenarios, we can have a preferred outcome and try to convince others to agree with us.

So, how do we get others to agree with us? Politicians have been battling over this for centuries using their rhetoric and failing miserably. There is an informative article in Forbes that explains how leaders can win people over. It includes suggestions such as using shared experiences and being trusting and transparent. These can be helpful for anyone interested in having a leadership position in a business.

When it comes right down to it, winning people over is a simple as being open, honest, and compassionate. These are the same traits we look for in good friends. We want to surround ourselves with people who aren’t afraid to show their true colors, so we know their intentions. We want someone we can trust and confide in when we need help or advice. And we want to feel loved and understood by our friends, even when we may not love ourselves.

If we are a good friend, it won’t require any effort to win someone over. That person will see us for who we are and feel comfortable obliging us. It also helps if there is a little give and take, but I recommend playing that card as a closer only when it’s necessary.

Can openness, honesty, and compassion knock down walls and capture a city? No, but they can win the hearts of many to become your friends. So, go out there and be a good friend. Do it enough, and you may even rule the world.