Chapter 64 TECHNIQUE 57 Reflex Action "Wow!"
I will always remember the first time I gave a luncheon speech in front of a group of strangers.Beforehand, I had practiced with the doll on the bedside and my roommate, Christine, and that was all my speaking experience before that.That's it, I'm going on stage.
I walked onto the stage with trembling feet, and the 17 Rotarians in the audience smiled and waited for my insight.In an instant, my tongue was as dry as chalk dust in the groove of the blackboard, and my palm was as wet as a fish.The people in the audience became the 170,000 judges who would sentence me to a lifetime of humiliation if I failed to provide valuable information or entertain them.Christine, who drove me here, was also sitting under the stage. I glanced at her nervously, and then said, "Good afternoon, I'm very happy..."
After 20 minutes, there were sporadic applause from the audience, which I fear was obligatory applause out of politeness.So I hurried to Christine and looked at her expectantly.She smiled and said, "This dessert is not bad, you can try it."
dessert? "Dessert! Come on, Christine, I want to know how I'm doing?" I screamed inwardly.A few minutes later, Christine told me she thought I was doing well, and she thought the rest of the audience felt the same way.Unfortunately, it was too late by then.The time when I was in dire need of praise is long past.
The doctor taps your knee with a small rubber cone, and your foot kicks up reflexively.In the same way, when someone else performs well, your compliment should be as immediate as a reflex: "Wow! You did a great job!"
Let's say they manage to seal a deal, or roast a big Thanksgiving turkey, or sing a touching song solo at a birthday party.No matter how big or small the achievement is, you must praise it immediately—not in 10 minutes, not in 20 minutes—but right away, right now, right now.The moment a winner walks out of the conference room, out of the kitchen, into the spotlight, all he wants to hear is, "Wow!"
Compliments are also like winking your eyes. Once the other party has an outstanding performance, you have to reflexively say "Wow! You are amazing!" Don't worry they don't believe you.The excitement on the spot will paralyze the objective judgment ability of the other party.
So far we've talked about a number of techniques, all related to complimenting others, some tactfully and some directly.The next thing I want to introduce is a headache for many people-how to accept compliments from others.
Compliments are also like winking your eyes. Once the other party has an outstanding performance, you have to reflexively say "Wow! You are amazing!" Don't worry they don't believe you.The excitement on the spot will paralyze the objective judgment ability of the other party.
So far we've talked about a number of techniques, all related to complimenting others, some tactfully and some directly.The next thing I want to introduce is a headache for many people-how to accept compliments from others.