Photo and blog by Sharman Dow
Have you ever walked away from someone who made you feel like a million dollars? Their demeanor and interest in your life lifted up your day as you spoke with them. They made you feel honored and respected.
Honoring others is a gesture of social courtesy, but it also can go beyond just being civil. It is a distinction toward another that produces a keen sense of recognition and respect with gallantry. To honor someone ingratiates regard for another’s wishes and desires. It gives preference to that person and makes them feel accepted and appreciated. Do you make the people in your life feel uplifted after they leave you?
In business, honoring your client, manager or corporation is essential in getting ahead. When people are treated personally with respect and a special regard, your value in their eyes takes a higher level. You will better your chances of getting ahead or landing that big account when you take a special interest in the person in front of you. Many times God will bring certain people in our daily path for us to brighten and uplift, but so often we fail—myself included.
Have you ever met someone who, after leaving their presence, made you feel so special you felt elevated and your day took on a whole new meaning? This is someone who has a gift for making people feel exceptional, but it is a gift you can cultivate in your own sphere of influence, as well.
I will never forget an opportunity I had in meeting the actor Anthony Hopkins at an after-dinner party in a restaurant. He looked directly in my eyes and asked me all sorts of questions about myself. We spoke for nearly 20 minutes, and he never took his attention away from me. He made me feel like I was the movie star — not him! Here is a man who travels all over the world and gets all sorts of accolades, and yet he honored me and lifted me up. WOW!!
The invaluable lesson I learned that evening was how important it is to make others feel special. Since that time I have fostered an environment in both my business and personal life to put others first— taking an interest in them and their success. It’s not just being polite; we all meet people who can be courteous, but cold as ice. It means being attentive, gracious, thoughtful and willing to let others win.
Many times in sales I would walk into the office of a complete stranger and attempt to sell them insurance. What made me stand apart from my competitors was how I made the decision maker feel about our first encounter. I would observe the pictures, trophies and photos in their office and strike up a conversation about them. It broke the ice and made them feel relaxed in my presence. There were many times I could get an account on my very first visit, simply by honoring them.
It may not happen overnight for you, but as you determine to put others first by honoring and showing a genuine interest in what is going on in their life, success will follow.
Sharman Dow is the founder of the Empower Women’s Conference.
