Part 4, Chapter 7: Give a dog a good name

Principle: Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to

The saying, “give a dog a bad name and you may as well have shot him,” is a bit intense, but the author suggests it’s a good example for this chapter.

Basically, we respond to what others believe about us.

As much as we’d like to think we’re more strong willed and don’t care what others think about us, it seeps into our subconscious more than we might think.

Similarly to if you label a kid a “trouble maker” or a “delinquent,” they might be more likely to live up to that name and reputation.

If you want to influence a person in a certain respect, act as though that particular trait was already one of his or her outstanding characteristic.

How often do you do this upon yourself or others?

–Angela