167: Robert Greene on How to Overcome Social Awkwardness

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“None of your technical skills will amount to anything if you don’t have social skills.” - Robert Greene

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Do you understand the laws of human nature? Do you know why you do what you do? Why humans make the decisions that they make? And do you know how to leverage social skills to accomplish what you want to in life?

Today’s guest is Robert Greene, the bestselling author of such books as “The 48 Laws of Power,” “The Art of Seduction,” “Mastery” and more. He’s here to discuss his upcoming book “The Laws of Human Nature,” where he explores what makes humans tick, and what that means for the person who wants to succeed in this life.

As we discuss in the interview, a lot of social success comes down to one’s ability to develop empathy for other people. To really step inside of their body and understand what they’re thinking, why they’re thinking, what they think about themselves and the story they tell about themselves, and then to affirm these things. If you want to be likeable, that’s the formula!

But there’s  lot more to dig into with Robert Greene, and we talk about many aspects of social awkwardness and how to avoid it, how to practice and improve one’s ability to socialize effectively, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this episode of the James Swanwick Show with Robert Greene!

“The key to social skills is empathy. Can you think inside someone else's skin?” - Robert Greene

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Key Takeaways

• None of your technical skills will amount to anything if you don’t have social skills
• Everyone is born with a certain amount of people skills and social intelligence, but everyone can improve
• The key to social skills is empathy. Can you think inside someone else's skin?
• We’re born with all the tools to be incredibly social animals, but some people develop the skills, and some let the, stay dormant
• Whatever state you’re in at the moment is only a starting point, and you can learn and improve greatly
• Social interaction is essential to our health and well-being. People who live alone do not live as long and do not have as happy a life
• Consider optimizing your facebook feed to make you happy and fulfilled
• It’s built into us to always think that what we don’t have is better than what we do have
• Avoid taking everything personally. That will prevent you from really listening to people and developing empathy with everyone. Take nothing personally
• Always try to understand the perception of other people to empathise with them
• We don’t really see the world how it is. We interpret it through a lens. The way you interpret the world affects the way people respond to you. You create the responses you get by the attitude you take
• Remember that we are not rational animals, but rather emotional animals. Understand that to develop real empathy with people. If you want to influence people, you have to understand them on an emotional level
• Find out what people think about themselves, and then confirm what they think if you want to make a powerful impression on people
• Until you can speak the language of the person you are trying to persuade, you won’t get anywhere

 

 

Resources

PowerSeductionAndWar.com

Twitter: @RobertGreene

My Book Notes on 3 Life-Changing Books

 

Show Notes: JamesSwanwick.com/167