Connection
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Cocktail Judo
At a chatty mixer with people you don’t know well, ask open-ended questions about their fun, passions, or family. The more curious you are about them, the more interesting you’ll be. — Sakfucius
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Entertainment Business
Everyone in the idea business is also in the entertainment business. If you can’t gain and maintain attention, you will never inspire action with your ideas. — Sakfucius
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Keeping a Secret
If asked to never tell, never say a word. The first time you are caught revealing a secret is the last time you will be trusted with one. — Sakfucius
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Awareness
How well do you understand and empathize with the other person’s perspective? The aware and adaptable sell their ideas often, while the bull-headed struggle. — Sakfucius
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Interact
Interacting with individuals, even when presenting to a large group, is essential to keeping attention and connection. If unable to have direct dialog, rhetorical questions are still light years better than forceful statements alone. — Sakfucius
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Company Freedom
How many people have you met from other companies this month? The broader your network, the more options you have when you seek. — Sakfucius
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Awareness
Do you know him, or do you understand him? — Sakfucius
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Bus Step
Rainmakers convince a customer that they would step in front of a bus for them, and then deliver. — Sakfucius
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Quid Pro
Every time there’s a give, there must be an ask. A give without an ask has little value when rainmaking. — Sakfucius
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The Big Dog
Are you really interacting with the decision maker? Rainmakers don’t count on influencers selling the deal for them. — Sakfucius
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Empathy Sells
Do you know enough to put yourself inside the customer’s mind. If the roles were reversed, why would I buy the proposal? Empathy is a rainmaker’s secret sauce. — Sakfucius
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Happy Spouse 101
Everyone wants attention, affection, and respect. Do you really listen to your spouse and respect their thoughts, opinions, and dreams? Everything starts with listening. — Sakfucius
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Friendship
Friendship requires really listening and empathizing with each other. Two people just taking turns talking about their own stuff rarely lasts. — Sakfucius
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Seek Perspective
How thoroughly do you seek to understand another’s perspective before you tell him that he is wrong? — Sakfucius
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Attention
Earning someone’s undivided attention is crucial. Start with a personal story, a startling fact, a well tested joke, or a thoughtful question, followed by a crystal clear ‘why this matters to them,’ every time. — Sakfucius
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Caring
In all relationships, it’s crucial to show that you really care. — Sakfucius
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Unexpectedly Thoughtful
If you surprise a person something that he really wants, he will remember you. — Sakfucius
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Expand
Expand your possibilities, expand your circle of friends, expand your life, by smiling and saying hello. — Sakfucius
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Interviews
The best interview is sitting next to someone on a five hour flight. — Sakfucius
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Alone is Limiting
The sooner you master asking for help, and the sooner you learn to offer help often, the better your chances of outsized success. — Sakfucius
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Open Minded
Don’t rush to judge people and you will find many more hidden gems and diamonds in the rough. — Sakfucius
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Humor
Humor is WD-40 when selling your ideas. It doesn’t take much to lighten the mood and improve the reception. — Sakfucius
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Offer Coaching
Even the best, if they are self-aware and confident, appreciate thoughtful coaching. Be ready to help if you can get asked. — Sakfucius
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Don’t Brag
Do you like someone who immediately brags about himself? It is better to allow people to discover your positives than for you to broadcast them. — Sakfucius
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Storytelling
Every important idea, every monumental change, every revolution was ignited by a story that resonated and a storyteller who sparked it. — Sakfucius
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Humble
We are better people when we choose to be humble. It’s easier to learn, to get along, to appreciate, and to listen when not putting yourself first. — Sakfucius
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Accomplish Much
You can accomplish much more if you don’t care who gets the credit. — Sakfucius
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A Rarity
In today’s beeping, buzzing, distracted, multitasking, media whirlwind world, only a few people 100% focus and listen to what you say. What if you decided to become one of those people? — Sakfucius
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Next Episode
Always leave the person you meet looking forward to the next episode. Too much of anyone is never a good thing. — Sakfucius
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Relationships
The easiest way to start a new relationship on the right foot is to tell a fun, personal, modest story. — Sakfucius
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What is Wanted
Deciphering what an other person really wants unlocks true understanding. Most people like to talk but are you asking the right questions? — Sakfucius
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Connecting
Those who write down details they learn about people met, run circles around those do not. Genuine connection is in the little details. — Sakfucius
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Who Do People Love
When you meet someone, who is the hero in the exchange? If you make the other person the hero, you will be remembered for your charisma. — Sakfucius
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Stories and Memory
Facts are quickly forgotten but great stories are remembered for years. — Sakfucius
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Numbers Game
Can you make new friends without meeting new people? It takes ten acquaintances to find one friend. — Sakfucius
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Same Wavelength
The easiest way to get on the same wavelength with your audience or a new person you just met is to start with an interesting light-hearted story. — Sakfucius
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Offer Feedback
Not everyone appreciates feedback but it offers a unique opportunity to build a relationship and help someone shine. — Sakfucius
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Feedback
Ask for feedback often and appreciate the few times you receive helpful opinions. It is rare to land a truthful coach, especially later in your career. — Sakfucius
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When in Doubt
When in a new unfamiliar situation, always go classy. — Sakfucius
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Figure Impressions Out
What impression do people get from the first three minutes of meeting you, or from the first three minutes of your presentation? — Sakfucius
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Knowledge Divide
The expert who knows a topic best, down to the atomic details, is usually not the right person to communicate the topic to those who barely understand it. — Sakfucius
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Reconnect
Who have you not called and caught up with in years? Why not catch up? — Sakfucius
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Quid Pro Quo Society
If you don’t ask someone for a favor, nothing will happen. Chain reactions often start with an ask. — Sakfucius
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Details
The key to friendship is genuinely caring about the other person while remembering the details. Write down key details so that you can find them years later. — Sakfucius
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Expand
Expand your network and strive to make friends proactively. The larger your sphere, the richer your life. — Sakfucius
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Sparkle
People want to be around people who make them feel great about themselves. Help people sparkle and you will have a lot of friends. — Sakfucius
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Marketing 201
Effective marketing is not about what you make or do but rather the vivid stories you tell. — Sakfucius
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Learn Three
Why not learn three close-up magic tricks? — Sakfucius
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Purpose of Stories
More than just being memorable, a great story gives the listener questions to think about for themselves. — Sakfucius