The Power of Influence

POWERFUL INFLUENCE

Two men who shared a hospital room ended up becoming friends.  One was allowed to sit up for an hour every day.  His bed was beside the window.  The other man spent his life flat on his back.  Each day, the man at the window would describe the activity and color of the outside world: the park overlooking the lake, ducks swimming, children playing, couples walking hand-in-hand, the skyline in the distance.  His friend who could see none of this, smiled and imagined it all in his mind's eye.  

One day the man by the window died and his roommate moved into his place.  He propped himself up to look outside and was amazed to see a drab cinder-bloc wall!  Confused, he asked the nurse why his friend had described the scenery in such glowing terms.  She replied, "Actually, he was blind and couldn't even see the wall.  He just wanted to encourage you.  (Shila Coleman Schuller shared this story in her book, Positively Powerful Words.)

If you're a business owner or a sales manager, don't ever underestimate the impact your words have on your sales revenue.  Whether the words of encouragement are for those in a customer service position or in a sales position, increase your words of encouragement and watch the increase in your sales!