{"id":4136,"date":"2018-03-01T15:52:00","date_gmt":"2018-03-01T15:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fusionwm.com\/?p=4136"},"modified":"2022-10-13T16:03:12","modified_gmt":"2022-10-13T16:03:12","slug":"how-billionaires-succeed-by-using-the-power-of-enlightened-self-interest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fusionwm.com\/how-billionaires-succeed-by-using-the-power-of-enlightened-self-interest\/","title":{"rendered":"How Billionaires Succeed by Using the Power of Enlightened Self-Interest"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Stop saying \u201cshould.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s the advice from many self-made billionaires when it comes to getting other people to behave in ways that can benefit you. What you think they should<\/em> or shouldn\u2019t<\/em> do does not matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By focusing on what you think other people should or shouldn\u2019t do in a business or personal situation, you will probably become frustrated and maybe even angry when they fail to live up to your expectations\u2014which will happen quite often. Your frustration and anger can easily make the situation worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Focusing on what other people should, in your opinion, do for you (or with you) is essentially no different than talking to a recalcitrant teenager or headstrong toddler. No matter the infallible logic of your argument, no matter the \u201cobviousness\u201d of your point of view, they are going to act as they think<\/em> they should act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news: There is a solution to this problem. Engage with their enlightened self-interest<\/strong>, or ESI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Give to get<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The idea behind enlightened self-interest is to identify some commonality in what you most want and what the other person most wants in a particular situation. Then, by acting to further the other person\u2019s interests and help them meet their goals, you will ultimately be able to satisfy your own interests and meet your own goals. <\/strong>Essentially, you get what you want by helping the other person get what they want, because there is a direct link between those two outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without question, every person has his or her own goals and agenda and is looking out for his or her own welfare. Even people who dedicate their lives to benefiting others are using their time, energy and resources to further goals they care about deeply. So while they may be highly altruistic, they are still acting in accord with their enlightened self-interests\u2014helping others helps them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The happiness of people we care deeply about also clearly falls under the umbrella of enlightened self-interest. When someone we love suffers, we suffer too. Thus, it\u2019s in our enlightened self-interest to do whatever we can to make their lives better. Alleviating their suffering alleviates our own pain.
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Entrepreneurial ESI<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what that means to you as an entrepreneur. If you want someone to behave in ways that are supportive of your business endeavors, they will do so not because they should\u2014but because you have shown them how it is in their<\/em> enlightened self-interest to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upshot:<\/strong> If you can find a way to align your <\/em>enlightened self-interest with their<\/em> enlightened self-interest, it is highly likely you are going to get much support for your initiatives. If you can\u2019t find a way, you probably won\u2019t get that support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Use the power of ESI the way the billionaires do<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve found that, based on extensive ethnological research, self-made billionaires are often exceptionally good at aligning the enlightened self-interest of everyone involved in a situation. Indeed, this skill has often proven to be foundational to their ability to build hugely successful businesses and, from there, create substantial personal wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The process of aligning the enlightened self-interest of all involved is very simple, conceptually. Start by remembering what the self-made billionaires know very well: Individuals are motivated by what is most important to them\u2014their goals and objectives. Whatever you think they \u201cshould\u201d do is irrelevant\u2014they will not act in ways that conflict with their goals and objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then take these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step #1: Be very clear about your own self-interest<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Self-made billionaires are habitually very clear about how they define their own most important self-interests. For example, they commonly take a position that winning a particular deal is of paramount importance, to the exclusion of established and (otherwise) meaningful relationships. Self-made billionaires rarely let the opinions of most other people impact their agendas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In stark contrast, most people want others to think well of them. For instance, they usually do their best not to destroy a meaningful relationship with someone over a business transaction. While there is nothing wrong with that approach, it does reveal that these people have different enlightened self-interests than some self-made billionaires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A clear understanding of your own self-interests will enable you to negotiate with maximum effectiveness. Here\u2019s a quick and easy way to determine your self-interests:<\/p>\n\n\n\n