Interacting with people has always been, and will continue to be, a major factor in the success you reach in nearly every area of life, whether it’s in your career, relationships, finances, or beyond.
And there’s just one way (short of holding them at gunpoint) to make almost anyone do almost anything.
By understanding the “magic phrase” I’m about to reveal, you’ll be able to make others genuinely want to do what you ask…
The American philosopher John Dewey referred to it as “the desire to be important.”
Sigmund Freud called it “the desire to be great.”
And William James described it as “the craving to be appreciated.”
Whatever phrase you choose, the desire to feel important is among the most powerful forces in the world. It’s a defining quality that sets humans apart from animals.
And when used effectively, this emotional need can make almost anyone do almost anything…
The importance of this skill cannot be overstated.
Thanks to his remarkable people skills, Charles Schwab was chosen as the first president of the United States Steel Company and became one of the earliest business leaders to earn over $1 million in salary.
It wasn’t his knowledge of steel, his intelligence, or his experience that got him there…
It was his rare talent for inspiring others to do what he wanted by fulfilling their need to feel valued.
Schwab shared that he never criticized anyone; instead, he provided incentives for improvement and generously praised his successful employees.
This approach made his team feel appreciated and motivated them to work harder to meet his expectations.
But the average person is quick to criticize and slow to offer praise—traits that Schwab firmly opposed:
“There is nothing else that so kills the ambitions of a person as criticism from supervisors.”
This idea emphasizes that meeting people’s need to feel important, valued, and appreciated is one of the most significant things in the world.
As Schwab showed, it’s also the most reliable way to get anyone to do what you want.
