Use Flattery to Gain Loyalty
Jobs was notorious for using flattery to get his way — he felt it gave him leverage. His autobiography by Walter Isaacson puts this idea into perspective: “Jobs could seduce and charm people at will, and he liked to do so… But Jobs could be charming to people he hated just as easily as he could be insulting to people he liked.”
People like to know when they’ve done a good job — in fact, they crave it. They like knowing when their work is recognized or when they have an impact. It’s especially powerful when it comes from their boss or someone they respect. Dish it out, but sparingly — it will keep people wanting more, and thus willing to do whatever they can to appease you.