5. Sorry, Mom: Do Talk to Strangers
It’s [Taylor Swift’s] tireless courting of her fans that may be the key to her success. Remarkably, she spends an hour before every show meeting and greeting and charming.
—Lesley Stahl, 60 Minutes
No doubt your mother told you not to talk to strangers. That is good advice for children—but it doesn’t apply in the business world. Say “Hello,” “Good morning,” or simply “Hi” to people you know, and to those you don’t know. You really don’t need to know someone to say “Hello” to him or her. (Clearly, different rules apply in dark alleys!)
The person you greet on the way to the meeting may be the person sitting next to you at the meeting, and by saying “Hello,” you’ve already established minor rapport. You will ...
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