What draws people in

Today ended well! A good salesperson needs energy and presence. Two people can speak to the same customers, yet one is more likely to win their trust. There are many reasons, but personal charm matters. When I meet a group of people at a gathering, I too find myself wanting to spend more time with one particular person, even if he is another man and there is nothing romantic about it. It is as though he is wearing a pleasant scent that draws people close.

That is something I learned again today about sales.

Someone I used to know often told me to be deeply sincere. Yet over time, despite how capable he was at work, I kept noticing cracks in his own sincerity. If pretense has a smell, sincerity can be like an elegant coat worn over it: attractive from a distance, unpleasant when you get close. Once you have trusted someone like that, you may be wary the next time. You may also examine yourself, knowing how badly false appearances can backfire.

Pretense is eventually exposed.

I do not need to confront such people. Once I understand what is going on, it is better simply to step away.

Now that today’s rush is over, I also need to think about learning foreign languages. Even if I have only a few minutes, I should use them. That matters.