Happy October.

To support you in being F.I.R.S.T. (Future-Ready. Innovative. Relevant. Strategic. Trusted.), here's 1 tip, 1 question and 1 quote.

1. The F.I.R.S.T. Tip

It may sound strange, but if you want to rapidly build trust with anyone, introduce artificial time constraints.

FBI expert Robin Dreeke shares in his book 'It's not all about me - The Top Ten Techniques for building quick rapport with anyone' that the first step in the process of developing rapport and having great conversations is letting the other person know that there is an end to the conversation in sight, and it is really close.

Some examples of how to do this are simple statements like:

  • “I am on my way out but before I leave I wanted to ask you…”
  • "I have a meeting that starts in a bit, so if I may ask you a quick question...."
  • "I have to meet another colleague in ten minutes. However, I’d love to have a quick catch up with you..

Phrases like these are great conversational openers at the office pantry, networking events, cocktail parties etc.

You get to establish fast rapport with more people, and can set up opportunities for deeper conversations later. It also energises the conversation in a short amount of time.

Tip: Rapidly build trust by setting artificial time constraints.

2. The F.I.R.S.T. Question

Find your passion... can be the worst advice.

When we focus on finding our passion, we are searching for something out there.

Instead, passion is something you exude.

It's something that comes from within, that you bring to the table.

We had a coaching client, a senior executive, who was considering whether to leave his company because his work didn’t excite him.

On digging deeper, he shared that throughout his career, he was asking himself the same question - Am I passionate about this job? Do I quit or stay?

This was his recurring pattern. In his quest for passion, he wasn’t givin1 100% to his current situation.

This realisation led him to decide on two actions.


Firstly, he picked something which energised him at work & starting doing more of that.

Secondly, he restarted a hobby he loved.

It is no surprise that he soon found a lot more purpose and pleasure. That’s the beauty of living your passion; it starts finding you.

You feel more energised.

People start responding more positively to you.

Your life starts getting filled with passion.

So, what are you focused on… living your passion, or looking for it?

3.The F.I.R.S.T. Quote

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