Here we go with round #2 on Enchantment. I hope you are learning some key points from Guy. I think someone's been quoting him on Facebook, so I'll take that as a good sign.
Questions for this time:
1. What do you think of Guy's other Likeability factors? I'm particularly interested in what you think of his encouragement to swear, especially when there is some perception in the world that swearing is for people who don't know what other word to use. See previous post on the importance of a strong vocabulary.
2. Do you know any Mensches? Which characteristics does that person exhibit?
Everyone should answer:
3. What is your positioning statement? How did you arrive at your statement?
1. I have been in the presence of people who swear to the point of it losing its “effectiveness”. When the shock value dies away, what are you left with? I think it is important that he cautions to only use pervasive language in certain circumstances, and I like his outlines for doing so. I have noticed my vocabulary becoming more, shall we say, colorful in my college years. Looking back, I do tend to only let certain words fly around peers. This is definitely something to think on for the future.
ReplyDelete2. Yes, I know a couple of people I would label as Mensches. Listening is the biggest characteristic they exhibit; not interrupting and not shooting down others ideas at the drop of a hat. I often feel people are so eager to have their ideas heard, that they seldom take the time to listen. I have found that these individuals, and myself oftentimes too, benefit far more from listening. Plus, knowing how to listen demonstrates patience and shows ones genuine interest in what is being said. Another characteristic I have seen is when a mistake is used as a growing opportunity, as opposed to someone quickly assigning blame. It's inspiring...enchanting.
3. I have two…
Help people smile.
Learn. Listen. Live.
How did I arrive at this? Happiness and joy are more powerful than we realize sometimes. If I can help someone smile in a day a.k.a. brighten their day…then I consider it a good day. It’s as simple as that. I love the feeling of happiness. Who doesn’t? And life isn’t always this way. We don’t know what one person is going through from day to day. So maybe a small smile is all someone needs to give them that extra boost. As for the second one, my dad always says that when we cease to learn, we cease to live. Learning something new everyday, however big or small, can be exhilarating. I would want to convey that.
1. I think Guy's likeability factors are pretty spot on and believe they are very beneficial to establishing any relationship. I was first taken aback by the swearing comment. Personally, I don't swear often, but I see how it could help relief tension or increase your acceptance in a conversation. I guess the right amout of swearing puts everyone on the same playing field, so to say. Everyone has stubbed their toe on the coffee table or been in a tough situation and let a swear word fly, we're all human. The key to this though is swearing infrequently. Someone would definitely not be able to enchant me if ever other word coming out of their mouth would be bleebed on TV.
ReplyDelete2. When I was reading about Menches, all I could think about was my grandpa! Though he is getting older and sometimes his stories drag on and annoy me, he truly is the most likable, kind-hearted person of all time. On the list of "ways to achieve menschdom," the one that reminded me most of my grandpa was "treat people who have wronged you with civility." People who dislike my grandpa dislike him even more because it just so genuinely nice to them. My grandpa truly lives by the motto "kill people with kindness." I really could talk about my grandpa all day, but I will try to summarize him by saying he sees struggles as opportunities, is always willing to help a hand or give advice, and will never let you down.
3. I think my mission statement would have to be Keep Moving Forward. I have been handed some tough situations in my lifetime, but I have learned that the best way to get through them is to keep moving forward. Sitting and sulking in the past really does no good for anymore. It's best to take a day at a time and move forward with family and friends who are there to support you.
1. I was really quite inspired by Guy's Likeability factor "Pursue and Project Your Passions" and the story of Dominique-Charles Janssens. What that guy does is incredible: finding something he loves so much that he created his own profession out of sharing it with people. Being the restaurant enthusiast that I am, I particularly enjoyed this bit of inspiration. Passion is the most powerful thing in the world in my opinion. Channeling it, living to pursue it, and sharing it with others, makes for the best work hands down.
ReplyDeleteAs far as Guy's encouragement to use profanity in the appropriate setting and time, I agree. When done infrequently, profanity can heighten a thought or a point, but only in circumstances that Guy really nails on the head. I really admire that he also subtly encourages women in particular to defy the double standard with swearing. Hearing a woman swear in a professional setting will turn heads every time. I really enjoyed these tips because I honestly swear more than I'd like my parents or future employers to know - totally something to work on.
2. I have had the opportunity to meet a handful of Menches. The characteristics they encompass are enough for me to take a step back and reevaluate my outlook on life some days. They have such a genuine gift of seeing the good in humanity and are willing to give up virtually anything to help someone out. It is sad to think that these people sometimes get taken advantage of because they are so kindhearted. Transparency is huge too - they know who they are and they totally own it. And that can be hard to do.
3. I probably have two.
Make a beautiful life. I have an extremely passionate personality, and I am firm believer in creating your own happiness. There are so many simple pleasures in life that are often overlooked. I think it is important to find happiness in even the simplest of things. And that comes from within, nowhere else. No one is going to truly "make you happy." It's a personal journey first and foremost, and I live by that.
Derive strength from adversity.I have had dealt with some pretty tough obstacles at a pretty young age. Looking back on those obstacles, I can say that the person I have become is a reflection of overcoming those hardships. It's easy to look at downright unfair life situations and sit and cry and ask whatever higher power you believe in why you got dealt such an unfortunate card. But that it isn't what helps us grow as individuals. It took me years to fully take a serious initiative to overcome what I was going through and to live by this, but I've gotten a lot stronger by doing so.
I found myself really agreeing with Guy's other likeability factors. One of the things he touched on that I want to make a focus of mine is finding shared passions with others. When I read this part of the chapter, I started to think of all the times in my past where I have bonded with someone over a mutual passion or interest and how great that was. This is something I want to continue to do with others and it is something that I think would help to strengthen relationships that might not be where I want them to be. As far as Guy's comment on swearing, I also found myself agreeing and being able to relate to what he had to say. There are many times where I hear someone swearing unnecessarily and find it to be gross and immature, and I myself can be guilty of this at times. On the other hand, I thought of times where swearing came about with someone or myself due to vulnerability or out of boldness and honesty, and that is what I related to Guy's comments on using profanity. I liked how he said it comes with risk, but can be very powerful if used correctly and with an audience that supports you.
ReplyDeleteI would classify my mother as a Mensch. To me, she possesses many of the qualities that Guy discussed in his book. One of the ones that really stuck out to me was "helping someone who is of absolutely no use to you". This is something that I see my mom doing day in and day out. She is extremely selfless, yet caring about things that many people don't concern themselves with, simply because it does not directly affect them. Not only is she selfless, but she is extremely trustworthy and always willing to learn and improve.
I would say my positioning statement is "Live with passion"
Passion is a word that means a lot to me because it's something that I really feel like I have been able to discover the true meaning of throughout my time in college. Passion has allowed me to establish and maintain my priorities which has resulted in happiness. I enjoy people that are passionate about others or what they do and I think living life and taking on challenges with this trait will allow people to go far and succeed.
1. I personally liked how Guy talked about pursuing your passions, which I applied to job interviews. Even if your passions don't directly relate to the position your interviewing for, I still think it's worth mentioning. Like Guys says, "passions make you more interesting, and interesting people are enchanting." Your potential employer should appreciate your passions, and hopefully think you are more well-rounded because of them. Similarly, I agree that we should all make an effort to learn the passions of others. It makes awkward situations much more conversational, and you never know what you might have in common. I also thought Guy's advice on swearing was extremely accurate. Like most things, there's a time and place. For me it definitely depends on the audience, but there are times where swearing can lighten the mood and help you make a point..everyone's human after all.
ReplyDelete2. My boss is a perfect example of a Mensch. He is one of the most hardworking people I know, but he never takes any credit for his accomplishments. He always gives credit to his employees, and encourages people to share ideas and be leaders. Even though his job is very stressful, he remains calm and helps people one-on-one instead of giving orders. He never tells us to do anything that he wouldn't do persoanlly, and honestly most of the time he saves the least glamorous jobs for himself.
3. My positioning statement would be, "Either find a way or make one."
This phrase has always stuck with me, and I have to remind myself of it when I face an obstacle or find myself making excuses. I like it because it's simple, yet it can relate to so many different circumstances. Whether it be in school, softball, relationships, etc., there isn's always a clear way to get something done. Anything worth accomplishing is going to require work, and sometimes you have to find the answer on your own.
1. Overall I thought that they were all helpful. Sometimes they could be a little unexpected in some ways but his methods seemed well thought out. I’ll admit though that the swearing advice did catch me a bit off guard. It has been my approach when dealing with people to not swear under any circumstances. Even if I get angry at work I don’t swear, it just seems improper. However I did like the point he made that if you’re going to swear don’t do it to offend or tear someone down. Far too often this seems to be the case in most conversation where someone is swearing. I thought it was interesting that it could be deemed appropriate to swear to emphasize a certain point. Since I don’t swear such a point was eye opening to me.
ReplyDelete2. I think that I would consider my father a mensch. My father is a very open and honest man. He will tell you exactly what he thinks but not in a demeaning way. When there are arguments amongst my family members, more often than not, my father is the one to break it up and to examine where both parties went wrong, thus getting rid of the opportunity for a blame war. My dad is also very good at giving advice. He doesn’t get in your face when you have a question, but instead he will share his opinions in a calm and helpful manner.
3. I suppose my positioning statement would be: get the job done and done well. The reason for this statement is that I had a grandfather who was a World War veteran and, who even though in his later years was burdened by lung disease, did all of the work in his yard that he could. My grandfather was an inspiration to me and I knew that he valued hard work and a job well done. I made it my goal that in whatever I was doing, whether helping him in the yard or at my job, to do whatever task I was given to the best of my ability. I believe that working hard to accomplish a task is half of the reward. Not only do you derive satisfaction from the job being completed but you know that the process of completing the job was handled well too. The quality of the process and the end result are directly related and that’s why I view success as being partly made up of working hard during the process as well as finishing the task.
Joseph W. Crumrine
1. Guy's likability factors are spot on, but I particularly like the section about passion because I feel I can relate best to it. As a softball player and a Sports Communication major, sports are obviously my passion. I have interviewed with a minor league baseball team, and it was easy for me share my passion for sports with the guy who interviewed me. I was very nervous for the interview, expecting tough questions, but a lot of time was spent talking about baseball and my college athletics. We are both passionate about the game so it made conversation easy and comfortable. I also love what Guy had to say about swearing. When I have had coaches in the past, the typically swear in the heat of the moment because they are fired up. Once again, that goes back to passion. Instead of taking offense, I get fired up as well. I agree there is a time and place for swearing, but if used in the right situation, it can be effective.
ReplyDelete2. Sadly, I cannot say I have met too many people in my life who exhibit most or all of the characteristics of a Mensch, but I hope these are people I can find in my work place as I get older. However, I would consider my father to be a Mensch. He is always honest with me and other people. It may come off as somewhat rude to certain people, but in the end they respect him for his honesty. My father also loves helping others. He will do the smallest acts to brighten someone's day. My dad is always willing to give advice. If something is going badly or I am just having a bad day, I will call him and he always is willing to listen and share his wisdom. I may not like what he has to say at times, but he will never sugar coat anything or allow me to feel bad for myself. I respect that about my father.
3. If I were to create a positioning statement for myself it would be "Be different and make a difference." I think it is important to stand out and be your own person. I try to live every day as being myself and not trying to act like others. I may come off weird to some, but being a little different from others has helped me to find my own creativity. If I want to be in sports marketing, I have to think differently than the average person. My biggest goal in life is to make a difference in not just one person's life, but many people's lives. I love doing things for others and knowing I put a smile on someone's face for even just a moment. Other people's happiness brings me happiness. I believe that if I follow this statement, I will have a successful life.
1) I think his likeability factors are very important, though some of them may be hard for most to adopt. It is incredibly important to share your passions and values with others, while also connecting on some similar value. Everyone gets excited about something and if you both can get excited about the same thing, that can only increase your connection to one another. As for swearing, I think it is appropriate depending on who you are talking to. By that I mean that as long as you won't offend the person you are with by swearing or using a certain word I would go for it. Swearing catches people off guard and knocks them on their feet, but it does so in a good way that makes people sit up and pay attention to what you have. It can also give a sense of genuineness- the people you are talking to will get a glimpse of what really makes you tick if you let swear words come out at the times that get you the most worked up (positively or negatively).
ReplyDelete2) After reading about mensches, there was one person who came to mind. Her name is Patti Bash- she is my sorority advisor, I have worked with her at the Hult Center, and she is hugely well known in the Peoria community. Having worked with her so close on so many levels, I have come to know her as incredibly giving, caring, and upfront about her feelings. Skipping a little ahead in the chapter she is also huge on giving for intrinsic reasons. Between this and the 10 characteristics of mensches, I believe that she has great skill in enchantment.
3) "I am a lifelong student full of ideas and spirit." I came to this positioning statement for a number of reasons. First- I consider myself a lifelong student because I am always learning within my field. I am the first to admit that even though I know a lot about advertising, I don't know everything and there is always room for improvement. I consider each experience an opportunity to learn something new and grow. The next part of my positioning statement involves ideas and spirit. Ideas refers to the fact that I am always thinking creatively as an advertising student. Spirit refers to the fact that I am always determined to work hard and challenge myself.
1. I think swearing is fine to some extent. Around peers, swearing is completely acceptable, but when communicating with most other people, I believe that swearing should be very infrequent. Swear words are intense, sometimes shocking, and can be crude. Using taboo words too often can portray a negative image, but it really all depends on the situation and who you are speaking to.
ReplyDelete2. When I was reading the section about Mensches, one person in particular came to mind. His name is James, and unfortunately he passed away about two months ago at the young age of 23 from a rare disease called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. You never would have thought that James was sick by looking at him -- underweight, maybe, but not sick. He was a Mensche without a doubt. His smile alone radiated so much joy. He was kind to everyone, he cared about every living thing on this Earth, he was honest, always happy, and he was an amazing listener. He could make anyone laugh with his goofy personality, and always shared his knowledge and insight, no matter how bizarre. If you had an idea, James was right there saying, “Yes! Let’s do it!” He was encouraging, willing to help in any way he could, and always kept his promises. He made an impact on every person that he crossed paths with. Hundreds of people attended his wake, including a middle-aged woman and her sister, who when asked how they knew James, said “We only met him once.” Even with his passing, he is someone that I continue to learn from daily: James Kayler, the Mensche.
3. My positioning statement is “Be nice to people and work hard.” At the end of the day, if you can go to bed knowing that you worked your butt off and maintained a kind spirit and pleasant demeanor in the process, then you are doing just fine. If you are kind and hard-working, people will enjoy being around you and admire your work ethic. I know that Guy suggests not to use the term “hard-working” and instead to use adjectives that are different and that stand out, but I feel that my positioning statement is simple and true, so it works for me.
1. I like Guy’s other Likeability factors, no pun intended. The few that stood out to me are Find Shared Passions, Swear, and Default to Yes. My biggest passion in life is dancing, so when I meet people that love to dance (or watch Dance Moms) I get really excited! I think that is part of the reason that my teammates on Orchesis get along pretty well, because at the end of the day we all are on the team for the same reason. Guy’s encouragement to swear is spot on. Swearing can have a good effect when you are emotional and trying to prove a point, but if you are a type of person who swears all the time you just seem trashy. I laughed a little to myself when Guy suggested we say “crap” or “stink” instead of alternatives, and I always try to stick to those two words instead of more severe swears because I am a classy lady! Default to Yes is such great advice. I know at my internship I always tell my coworkers ‘Yes” when they ask for my help. Even if I am swamped with work, it’s better to say “Yes I can help you, when do you need it done by?” and prioritize from there rather than saying, “No I can’t I am really busy right now, maybe later.”
ReplyDelete2. Unfortunately, I don’t think I have met too many Mensches, but I do have one person that comes to mind. My friend Jessi and I met at Bradley freshman year and after reading all of the qualifications of being a Mensche, she definitely fits the bill. She is unbelievably selfless and kind to people no matter how stressed or busy she is; I still don’t understand how she manages to remember when I have something important going on, but she wishes me good luck every time! There have been many people that have taken advantage of how nice of a girl she is and she still treats these people with civility, even though they don’t necessarily deserve it. Jessi is also a very honest person, but knows when to draw the line between honest and hurtful. I’m very lucky to have a friend like her!
3. My positioning statement would probably be “Embrace Mistakes” I can’t tell you how many mistakes I have made in my life, but I know that they have all happened for very important reasons and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without them. Some mistakes come with consequences and are hard to handle, but they teach so many important lessons. Other mistakes result in great outcomes that generate fantastic ideas and relationships. Mistakes are a constant but I always try to tell myself that everything happens for a reason and embrace what happens in my life.
1. I enjoyed all of his likability factors, but I especially the sections on finding shared passions and creating win-win situations. The shared passions section was my favorite because I believe that having shared passions leads to a successful business, club, or group of people. I am am member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, and we all have shared goals and passions. This is what unites us, we have shared values and strive together to achieve them. I am a person that always tries to look at the best in every situation. So if I am able to creat win-win situations where everyone benefits I will feel like I was successful. If someone is losing out on a situation, something probably wasn't done correctly. Swearing is an interesting topic for me. I do not do it at home with my family because of the culture I am in. but around my friends I will curse a lot more than I should. I try to use it only in certain situations but sometimes I find myself using it more than I should. I think I will start trying to use it more appropriately like Guy suggests.
ReplyDelete2. It is very hard for me to think of a Mensch off the top of my head. But there is one person at Bradley who I think is a definite Mensch. That would be Dave Snell. He is one of the most honest and helpful people I have ever met. He could be a total snob because of his successful career at Bradley, but he has taken time to get to know me and provide with guidance. He always is willing to share his knowledge and never looks angry. He is always happy and is very willing to help out anyone who may need it. Dave is one of the best examples of a Mensch I have ever met.
3. I think my positioning statement would be "Smile, it makes people wonder what you are up to." I always try to have a positive attitude about everything and approach everything with great enthusiasm. If you show a positive attitude it can be infectious and put those around you in a positive mood as well. You have to believe that your smile may just be the thing someone needs to change their day around.
I enjoyed Guy's likability factors. I find it entertaining and insightful to read about his little life theories such as these likability factors. Many, if not all, have much truth to them and I find it refreshing that he is very down to earth. I would agree with his position on swearing. I'm surprised that anyone in his status shows any positivity toward profanity, but that's exactly what I mean with him being down to earth. I think he's very correct is saying that profanity shows that we all just regular people. Swearing, when used correctly as he states, is very expressive. I feel in the business world many try hard to keep things controlled, appropriate, politely correct, conservative, and it all gets a little stiff and stuffy. Occasional flair from a little profanity may be okay to remind everyone to stand up and stand out every once in a while.
ReplyDeleteThroughout my years in college I feel I know a handful of people who would qualify as Mensches. My family has had some challenging situations occur in the last several years and the amount of people who have stepped up and helped out in any way they could is absolutely amazing! All of these people are more than willing to drop anything and be of assistance if needed. I feel being a mensch just takes being a truly genuine person who is very focused on helping others.
I feel my positioning statement would be the quote, 'Laughter is the best medicine.' I feel no matter what situation you are in or what troubles you are facing, if you can find something to laugh about everything will be okay. My Mom has made comments to me many times asking if I think life is just a big joke to me. I love when she says this, because it shows that people notice when others are happy. Happiness is definitely contagious and I would love to spread it to as many people as I possibly can. It's the only way to get through the tough stuff, and not spend all your time worrying and stressing.
As with everything so far in the book, Guy articulates his "likability factors" clearly and effectively. What I thought were most important were his factors on passion and creating win-win scenarios. I find companies that have both of these are extremely likable and I follow them constantly. On the opposite side are the companies that don't do either of things are either out of business or monopolies that are too big to fail (Comcast).
ReplyDeleteZappos is a terrific example of a company that is in the business of people and NOT the business of money. You can be about people and still make money (which they do as well as anyone).
The part about encouraging people to swear was definitely unexpected. I think that swearing is acceptable when you are trying to make a very serious point and you don't do it often. I think if your swearing left and right it loses its effect and makes you look unintelligent.
2. The "mensch" that I think of is Chris Marsh, a professor in the Com department. He is kind, honest and a fantastic professor. Some people give off welcoming attitudes with big smiles and a true happiness for life. A great professor makes the daily grind of college an enjoyable experience. That is what Marsh is to me and many students that he has come into contact with while at Bradley.
My positioning statement is "Mr. Happy". Thats what my mom calls me and it definitely sums up who I try to be. Happy about whatever situation I'm in with a positive disposition for life. Happy is what I've always been and who I am when I am at my best.
1. Before I get to swearing, I want to mention how important I think it is to "find shared passions." It's incredible how the quietest or shyest person will open up once you find something you are both so excited to talk about. I think the best example is when I babysat two sisters and the younger one was terribly shy at first until we started talking about dinosaurs. That was awesome.
ReplyDeleteAs far as swearing goes, I couldn't believe how commonplace it is in media work areas (I heard a lot over my Olympic experience, and that's not just where I was working. It definitely wasn't infrequent.). I try not to swear as I find it's usually unnecessary, but if I get frustrated enough (as Guy mentions) certain words will come out. There's times where I think it's good for emphasis, but I wouldn't necessarily encourage swearing. I think that podcast dialogue could've been handled a lot better.
Side note. I know Dr. Matt O'Brien uses "fudgecrackers" as his swear and it's one of the best things ever.
2. I actually have a picture of a little me at my house with the words "mensch" on the frame, so I guess me! All kidding aside, I do try to live up to those values at all times, and I think most people generally do. It's hard to say anybody follows 100 percent of the list all the time, but I'd really like to think, giving people the benefit of the doubt, that people tend to do what they do for good reasons. Obviously that's not always the case, but I try to look at things positively when I can.
3. My positioning statement is to realize that "Everything happens for a reason." I have believed in this for a long time, but it really became a mantra after I went to Israel in 2011. Strange things can happen in life, sometimes cruel, and when all seems dark, it helps to think there's a reason for it and something good will come out of it. Even when I'm struggling through something, I try to evaluate the situation and think of what I can gain from the experience.
1. Guy has described likeability factors perfectly. I agree with every feature he mentions in the book. I especially took to heart the section about accepting others. Sometimes, I myself have trouble doing this, but he is completely right. There is always someone working harder and doing something better than you are and there is no reason for anyone to think they are superior to another person. After reading his thoughts, I also agree with his statement that people are more similar than they are different. My most favorite comment? That PEOPLE DESERVE A BREAK. I think that many people (including myself) have a hard time putting themselves in other peoples shoes. You never know what someone else is going through.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I agree with his encouragement to swear. I think it allows someone to express themselves in a passionate way. However, I do think that there is an appropriate time and place.
2. I believe we have a few Mensches here on campus. The first person who comes to mind is a professor I’ve had in the Communications department, Chris Marsh. He remembers everyone’s names, things about them and is always looking to start conversations. Even after two years of having his class I still see him in the hallways smiling and saying hello to everyone. He frequently asks me questions about my life and sincerely seems interested. He has even took the effort to support me and my teammates at Laura Bradley Park during softball games. A professor I wouldn’t mind sitting through class with!
3.Most people would describe me as a goofball who is always pulling pranks and joking around. My closer family and friends would say that I am a very passionate person. I am dedicated, competitive and a very hard worker. Therefore, my positioning statement is “Not all those that wander are lost”. I believe that “wandering” is a good thing. I think it’s important to remember to have fun, do strange things and explore. It can lead you to something awesome!
1. I really enjoyed Guy's likability factors and he took some simple things and really made you think. The ones that stood out to me the most were "Accept Others, "Don't Impose Your Vales", and "Create Win-Win Situations". These are all things that are easy to forget to do, especially because it is so easy to judge or when you have a strong opinion on something it is hard not to impose on someone. When it comes to swearing, I think Guy covered it perfectly: swearing can be acceptable, but there are certain times and places when it is appropriate. I also like how he addressed the double standard of women swearing because we are all human and holding back that "crap" isn't easy for any gender!
ReplyDelete2. When I think of a Mensch, I think of my dad. Not only do all of the 10 ways describe him, but those are also things he has taught my brothers and I throughout our lives. He is the type of person who will try to help everyone in some way or another, whether is be a family member, friend, co-worker, or just a simple acquaintance he meets while he travels for work. He always has a positive attitude about life and he turns the negatives into positives and there is always something to learn from everything you do and everyone you meet.
3. My positioning statement would be, "Go Big or Go Home." This is a quote I have used many times in my life and the meaning behind it is exactly how it sounds. If you're going to do something, do it with your best effort or go home and don't waste your time.
There are many things that are in one's control when it comes to using some of Guy's likability factors. I believe there is a big difference between brown nosing/sucking up to someone and being diligent in trying to find similarities and bonding opportunities with another person. In Guy's words, "finding shared passions breaks down barriers." That quote I find to be very true because if you build off of his four factors in making a good first impression with putting forth the effort to socially interact with people, you become an approachable and personable person. From my experiences, people like others they can talk to because silence doesn't make many friends.
ReplyDeleteI am a person who loves to create win-win outcomes whenever possible. And most of the time if someone has to lose, I'll take the bullet. That's just who I am, I like to set people up to win and to succeed. In a way, I think seeing success is just as rewarding, if not more rewarding, than creating your own success.
Swearing, when used in the right context, really emphasizes a word and a meaning. Using swear words regularly takes away from emphasizing a word and rather emphasizes your personality negatively in that people are going to make judgments that your vocabulary and education is weak. When a person of that nature does swear, it just sounds like another word and the emphasis is lost. Done sparingly, and in the midst of logical, credible, and well-thought arguments can bolster what someone wants to say and create an impact drawn by the listeners.
I'm not sure there are any 100% true menschs out there, but I know a lot of people, me included, that aspire to carry out as many of the mensch characteristics as possible in their daily lives. Sometimes it is hard to treat someone who is of no use to you or has defied you in the past, but it's all about taking the higher road no matter the circumstance. There are menschs out there, they are just sometimes hard to find. I would vouch for my dad being a mensch and I like to think that has rubbed off on me a little bit. Reading through some of the posts, I would have to agree about Chris Marsh, one of the communications professors, being a mensch and representing Bradley in a way that Ms. Lydia Moss Bradley would be very proud of. The biggest part of being a mensch is being personable, intelligent, and considerate of everyone else; no matter their relationship to you. Doing that a lot of times can lead to creating and focusing on goodwill.
I believe the best way to position anything is to do it genuinely and create happiness. So, my positioning statement would be: "Be a role model." This is something I try to live by and if I succeed in doing so, I have lived my life with a purpose and made a difference. Making a difference in others' lives for the better is everything we live for. Influencing positive characteristics on anybody and everybody will make this world a much better place, it's up to everyone to step up to the plate and carry out this mantra.