How to Look Like a Somebody

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

My friend is a highly respected professional in the homefurnishings
business. Her husband is an equally big name in the
communications field. They have two small sons.
Whenever Karen is at a home-furnishings industry event,
everyone pays deference to her. She’s a very important person in
that world. Her colleagues at conventions jostle for position just
to be seen casually chatting with her and, they hope, be photographed
rubbing elbows with her for industry bibles like Home
Furnishings Executive and Furniture World.

Yet, Karen complains, when she accompanies her husband to
communications functions, she might as well be a nobody. When
she takes her kids to school functions, she’s just another mom. She
once asked me, “Leil, how can I stand out from the crowd so people
who don’t know me will approach me and at least assume I’m
an interesting person?” The techniques in this section accomplish
precisely that. When you use the next nine techniques, you will
come across as a special person to everyone you meet. You will
stand out as a Somebody in whatever crowd you find yourself in,
even if it’s not your crowd.

Let’s start with your smile.