Be a Leader: How to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment – Principle 7
If you want to improve a person in a certain respect, act as though that particular trait were already one of his or her outstanding characteristics. Shakespeare said, “Assume a virtue, if you have it not.” And it might be well to assume and state openly that other people have the virtue you want them to develop. Give them a fine reputation to live up to, and they will make prodigious efforts rather than see you disillusioned.
If you want to excel in that difficult leadership role of changing the attitude or behavior of others, use…
Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.
* Source: How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie