The Art of Sucking Up
Flattery is a Counterfeit $$, which – but for Vanity – would have no Circulation. Compiled by Peter/CXO Wiz4biz 7/13
If you “suck up” too blatantly, it will backfire. If you suck up too weakly, you probably wont get what you want. You have to do it just right. Here is your Guide:
Credibility. No matter how good you suck up, if you don’t meet the requirements for promotion, job, bonus, customer – or whatever you’re going for, it wont matter. You need to “deserve” what you are asking for.
Empathy. Who can resist a little play on emotion: “ Please help us ________________ or We’re just _____________. Who “can” resist? Only those who are not worthy of “sucking” up to.
Utility. The best type of Suck Ups, are those that are mutually beneficial. You’re giving to get. If you can’t give back right away, promise future value. (ie, product, services, etc). If you want to have a “great” Suck up, use something of mutual benefit that you’re “giving to get”. If you can’t do it soon, promise you’ll give future value. Great Suck ups are always a Win-Win proposition.
Gratitude, should first be expressed for what you already have. Then, express your desire to have – exactly what you want !!! This works much better than being mad & noisy.
Obligation. If someone does something for you, you’re compelled to return the favor. If you’ve already done the something useful, how can they resist what you ask of them? So plant these seeds early, so you can harvest them when you need them !!!
Flow. If you’re going to ask someone to do something, make it as “easy” as possible. You’ve probably only got one shot, so assume they’ll say “yes” and provide the Action Item/s you would do with a Yes.
Flattery. You’d think that this would be the most, but it isn’t. This is because people that are “sucked up” to frequently are flattered (deserved or not) all the time. So don’t make this a major part of your plea (maybe not at all) or one short snort at the beginning is enough, then focus on the Credibility reasons and “why” they need to help you.
Comments: Is there anything we should add to this – that you used and worked?