Welcome to the human jungle. When two tigers prowling through
the jungle chance upon one another in a clearing, they look at each
other. They freeze. Instinctively they calculate, "If our staring
came to hissing—came to scratching—came to clawing—who
would win? Which of us has the stronger survival skills?"
Tigers in the wilderness differ little from the urban upright
animals inhabiting the corporate jungle (or singles jungle or social
jungle). Humans start the process by looking at each other and
talking. In the business world, while smiling and uttering "How
do you do?" "Hello," "Howdy," or "Hi," they are, like tigers,
instinctively, instantaneously, sizing each other up.
They're not calculating the length of each other's claws or the
sharpness of their teeth. They're judging each other on a weapon
far more powerful to survival as they have defined it. Humans are
judging each other's communications skills. Although they may
not know the names of the specific studies first proving it, they
sense the truth: 85 percent of one's success in life is directly due
to communications skills.13
They may not be familiar with the U.S. Census Bureau's
recent survey showing employers choose candidates with good
communications skills and attitude way over education, experi03 (093-142B) part three 8/14/03 9:17 AM Page 93
Copyright 2003 by Leil Lowndes. Click Here for Terms of Use.
ence, and training.14 But they know communications skills get people to the top. Thus, by observing each other carefully during
casual conversing, it becomes almost immediately evident to both
which is the bigger cat in the human jungle.
It doesn't take long for people to recognize who is an "important" person. One cliché, one insensitive remark, one overanxious
reaction, and you can be professionally or personally demoted. You
can lose a potentially important friendship or business contact.
One stupid move and you can tumble off the corporate or social
ladder.
The techniques in this section will help ensure that you make
all the right moves so this doesn't happen. The following communications skills give you a leg up to start your ascent to the top
of any ladder you choose