Sincerity of Purpose
There is no substitute for real commitment to your definite major purpose. Sincerity of purpose-or its lack-writes itself so indelibly into your words and deeds that anyone can recognize it. Insincerity is evident in your expressions, in your trend of conversation, in everything you do; no amount of acting skill can disguise it.
The yes-man is a universal object of derision precisely because everyone recognizes his insincerity. But if you are possessed of real sincerity of purpose, it will be just as visible. Andrew Carnegie told me once how he called a new employee into his office to issue a directive. The man listened, then looked him squarely in the eyes, and with a good natured smile said, “All right, chief, you are the boss, but I’m going to tell you that your request is going to cost you money because you haven’t investigated this matter as closely as I have.”
Something about his assured manner, with no hint of insubordination, convinced Carnegie to delay his decision and investigate further. He discovered that he had been wrong and his new employee was right. That man was Charles M. Schwab, who eventually brokered the deal between Carnegie and J. P. Morgan that founded U.S. Steel. Schwab then went on to start up the mammoth Bethlehem Steel. He began his rise to prominence on the simple basis of his sincerity of purpose in everything he did.
Be sincere first of all with yourself, and you will steadily grow in self-reliance.
If you have sincerity of purpose, it will strengthen every one of the other aspects of your pleasing personality. What better compass could you have at a moment you must demonstrate flexibility than a true and lasting dedication to your definite major purpose?
Promptness of Decision
Dillydallying does not inspire popularity. In this fast moving world, those who do not move quickly cannot keep up with the parade.
Successful people reach decisions definitely and quickly, and they become annoyed and are inconvenienced by others who do not. Prompt decision-making is a habit, and it is supported by your positive mental attitude, which gives you confidence.
It is also closely tied to your sincerity of purpose; the more you are convinced of the value of your definite major purpose, the quicker you will be to discard distracting options and to select those which move you toward your goal. If your choice is between quick profit and a long-term relationship with a client, your sincerity of purpose allows you to make your decision quickly.
Opportunity is everywhere, but it is fleet of foot. Even if you have the vision to recognize it, without a fast decision on your part, it will be gone.
Courtesy
The cheapest and most profitable quality in the world is courtesy. It is absolutely free, save for the moments it takes to express it. Unfortunately, today it is also scarce, thus all the more valued when displayed.
Courtesy is nothing more than the habit of respecting other people’s feelings under all circumstances, the habit of going out of one’s way to help the less fortunate, the habit of controlling selfishness in all forms. Do not mistake high-flown manners for courtesy. Using the correct fork at dinner will do nothing to appease the company president whom you insult by dominating the conversation.
Courtesy demonstrates the self-awareness born of your positive mental attitude and projects the worthiness of your goals and proposals.
Clearly all the aspects of an attractive personality rely upon and augment one another. Some-like a good handshake-can be learned quickly, others require habitual effort on your part.
Analyze your personality carefully and honestly to make sure that it embraces no displeasing traits. Even your best friends will not tell you of those aspects of your personality which may be attracting misery, opposition, and defeat. The time you devote to this analysis will pay enormous dividends, for it will not only give you a true measure of yourself but enable you to analyze and understand others.
Never make the mistake of thinking that you have done all the work you can do toward generating an attractive personality. Its standards-like its rewards-are always improving.
Source: Keys to Success by Napoleon Hill