<TT>Connecting with someone, establishing rapport, does not have to be a </TT><TT>difficult thing, although many people find it so. Here are ten key points to remember whenever you set off to meet new people...</TT> <TT>1. Be happy with yourself.</TT> <TT></TT> <TT>Much of the insecurity we feel in meeting new people has to do with </TT><TT>how we feel about ourselves as opposed to the other person. Work hard </TT><TT>and develop positive self-esteem.</TT> <TT>2. Act Confident...</TT> <TT>...even if you're not! Chances are the other person is as nervous as </TT><TT>you are.</TT> <TT>3. Expect to connect.</TT> <TT>Think positive. Tell yourself that you *will* connect with people... </TT><TT>and you will.</TT> <TT>4. Smile!</TT> <TT>It's hard NOT to connect with somebody who's cheerful and smiling. </TT> <TT>5. Notice others.</TT> <TT>Maybe *they* are smiling and cheerful. Maybe you are attracted to </TT><TT>something they are saying or discussing, whatever. Just look for </TT><TT>reasons to connect with people instead of excuses NOT to.</TT> <TT>6. Listen.</TT> <TT>One of the greatest gifts you can give another person is to listen to</TT> <TT>them. Instead of jumping in to say something, listen a bit longer</TT> <TT>instead.</TT> <TT>7. Ask questions.</TT> <TT>Go one step further and truly take an interest in what they are</TT> <TT>talking about. Ask thoughtful questions that draw them out and focus</TT> <TT>the conversation on them.</TT> <TT>8. Connect with individuals.</TT> <TT>You can speak to, present to, teach, or train large groups, but you </TT><TT>can only really connect with the individuals in that group. Emphasize </TT><TT>this aspect of your communication and build those one-on-one </TT><TT>connections.</TT> <TT>9. Be willing to compromise.</TT> <TT>Meeting new people or working with new people invariably means </TT><TT>running into positions, opinions, and practices you don't agree with. </TT><TT>If you want to build the relationship, expect to compromise from time </TT><TT>to time.</TT> <TT>10. Treat others as you'd like to be treated.</TT> <TT>Just to start. As you get to know each other work hard to treat them </TT><TT>like *they* want to be treated (which may be very different way, </TT><TT>indeed).</TT> <TT>-- Jim Allen</TT>
great posting...some of them been following in my life.... dear sonal, that was a grt posting..been following some of them during my life and still do sometime when situation similar crop up.....regards sunkan