“If you want to improve a person in a certain respect, 
act as though that particular trait were already one of his or her outstanding characteristics. Shakespeare said, ‘Assume a virtue, if you have it not.’ And it might be well to assume and state openly that other people have the virtue you want them to develop. Give them a fine reputation to live up to, and they will make prodigious efforts rather than see you disillusioned.” Dale Carnegie
The first time I made our sales presentation to a roomful of recruits, I was not confident that I would do well. I could do it okay, about 80 percent perfect, in front of prospects, but this was a dozen people – including the boss – and it was different. My boss introduced me and he gave me such glowing and sincere praise, and bragged so much about what an excellent presentation I was about to give, I didn’t dare let him down. His words alone improved my ability (and my income) by about 15 percent.
