Best way to gain greater credibility, clout and success: involve unexpected allies, ardently united around something specific that you all believe is meaningful.

• The stronger the signal you send yourself of your highest purpose, the more likely you are to notice ways to serve it• Your specificity boosts your clarity, credibility and memorability. • The specific detail proves the general conclusion, not the reverse yet we are most likely to write and speak first in generalizations.• Your focus on interconnectedness increases your frequency of serendipitous encounters, unexpected insights and deeper friendships.

We are far more revealing by the questions we ask than the answers we give. Answer briefly to sense where their questions are heading.

Speak to their positive intent, especially when they appear to have none, and you are more likely to bring out their better side.

Becoming more deeply connected with those you admire and love bolsters, in you, the traits you most admire in them. Recognize behaviors that most upset you so, like defensive driving, you see potential “crashes” sooner and avoid them.