CHAPTER 23: HOW TO CRITICISE – AND NOT BE HATED FOR IT

Charles Schwab was passing through one of his steel mills one day at noon when he came across some of his employees smoking. Immediately above their heads was a sign that said “NO Smoking.” Did Schwab point to the sign and said, ”Can’t you read?” No, he walked over to the men, handed each one a cigar, and said, “I’ll appreciate it if you will smoke these on the outside.” They knew that he knew that they had broken a rule – and they admired him because he said nothing about it and gave them a little present and made them feel important.

PRINCIPLE 23: Call attention to people’s mistake indirectly.