The common exhortations:

“Walk a mile in his moccasins.” 

“Seek first to understand.”

“You cannot solve a problem with the same mind that created it.”

All point to the vital need to consider alternative perspectives when approaching difficult situations, people or problems. And for most people, this present a major problem. Read More

You would be surprised at just how much influence happens at a subconscious level. And where this becomes particularly harmful to you and your progress is when you don't agree with somebody else, and they know it.

When you're opposing somebody, you're in disagreement, you know what the right answer is. And there is a very big danger that means that they are wrong. 

They are being the idiot. They are being naïve. They are being stupid. Read More

Political capital is simply the amount of power that you're able to call into action to support your agenda. This is a function of the number of powerful people and the power they can wield on your behalf.

To accumulate political capital, you’ll need a lot of great relationships in which you are helping them and they stand ready to help you in return. The deeper these relationships, the more inclined they will be to respond to your call when you need them. Read More

Making an impression that is aligned to your goals will help you enormously, because it establishes and reinforces the expectations others have of you. And what they expect, they're likely to get.

Here’s a little example.

If your aim is to become a top-flight negotiator, you’d better begin creating that impression as fast as possible. Acting weak, vague and indecisive will convey the notion that you are not terribly good at negotiating.  Read More