We often discover many ideas that we think may be very important for other people. The problem is, some often take no notice of our idea even if we are very sure that the idea will be accepted. Leadership is somewhat likely to be the answer of this problem. People are more likely to listen someone who has a good leadership. But, there is somehow a problem that is happening even to those who has a very good leadership who is also being ignored. So, what really is the answer of the problem? Well in order to get that answer let us ask Aristotle. Well maybe not literary ask him about it but he actually had had the key of this problem already. The ability of people to convince other person is not about the trait of the person but it is actually about the three means of persuasion.

The first one is Logos which is the quality of the idea and the way of enlightening (v=menerangkan) the idea. It means that we have to be able to understand everything with the idea because people are more influenced if you comprehend (v=memahami) the materials that are integrated in the plan proposed.

The second is Ethos. To understand this, we can refer to a singer who used to be a street musician. When he or she was on the street nobody seem to even bother watching his or her performance but somehow after competing in a reality show singing contest in national television he or she became famous and won that competition. The response appear to be very different between these two situations knowing that the ones performing have the same vocal cord, the same face, and the same person. It is because they have different ethos, which is the reputation. Even though the “logos” have been achieved but the “street” have no reputation on producing a great singer. However the singing competition does.

Back to the idea that you are planning to recommend, it must be stated in the great place that have a reputation related to it. Even you must have the reputation. Having educational background or experience should do it.

After all those two above being accomplished (v=dicapai), the last thing that we need to deliver our idea is Pathos. It is all about the emotional connection between you and the one you want to convince. To be listened you have to make sure that you made a good bond first. Those two above would not work unless liaison  (n=hubungan baik) have been made. Logos, Pathos, Ethos, the idea is nothing without the rest.

This is what we could learn from Aristotle. If you have a great idea how do you build a credibility and emotional connection?

Reference:  Ted-Ed, Lesson Worth Sharing

by Ahmad Akram | Faculty of Engineering | Hasanuddin University

Hola, guys, how are you doing? Good, huh? I bet you are! When reading my greeting, each of you must have different expressions indicating how your feeling respond to it. It tells us that we are unique creatures. You might realize that you always get different treats from people around you, sometimes they are good, fun and enjoyable, but sometimes really annoying. Why do people act in different manner? You already know the answer! Each of us was uniquely created by God for His glory with distinct appearance, characteristics, spiritual gifts, intelligence, abilities, talents, and personality. The key to getting along with others is being able to recognize their way of doing things has validity and a reason behind it, even if it seems the complete opposite of what we would do. Then how could we identify others’ personality and deal with it?

Florence Littauer, a personality development book author, wrote a book which amazingly exposes the way we could spot people’s personality and should react to it. Although people are unique, Littauer suggests they fall under one of four personality types. These are choleric, sanguine, melancholy and phlegmatic.

Popular Sanguine – emotional and demonstrative, the Sanguine is the life of the party and is all about having fun. They make work into fun, and they love to be with people. They see excitement in each experience and are outgoing (adj : ramah) and optimistic. They love colors, are dramatic and prone to (adv : rentan terhadap) exaggeration (n : pernyataan berlebihan), and are great on stage, thriving with an audience. They love touching and hugging (v : memeluk) people. You will laugh and laugh with a Sanguine. After all, they are happy, bouncy, often loud, talkative, great storyteller, lots of fun.

Powerful Choleric – dynamic born leader, dreamer of the impossible dream, always aiming, reaching, succeeding. The Choleric is ever achieving and everything will be fine as long as you obey his rule: “Do it my way NOW!” He is outgoing and optimistic, but has little need for friends (socializing wastes time and doesn’t get things done, btw do you know who he is?). He believes everything will be fine as long as you do it with him in charge. He gets more done than the other temperaments. He rises to the top, is goal - oriented, and has innate (adj : bawaan) leadership abilities.

Perfect Melancholy – deep, sensitive, organized, detailed, lover of lists. The Melancholy is quiet, undemanding (adj : tak banyak menuntut), and likes to be alone. He follows schedules right from the beginning and will not adapt well to having his routine upset. They are neat, tidy, and perfectionistic. They are frugal (adj : hemat) and have deep compassion (n : kasih sayang) for others. The fact that I always love and serve people around well is a point that I might be under this category, well, more or less. The Melancholy is creative, introspective, and analytical. That’s why personally, I always ask the people whom I always interact with not to prevaricate (v : bohong) because it’s always easy for me to unveil (v : menyingkap) what is behind their stories. Without Melancholies we’d have few artists, writers, philosophers, and composers of music. Btw, I am neither an artist, writer, philosopher nor composer. LOL

Peaceful Phlegmatic – buffers (n : penolong) for all the other personalities to bring stability and balance. The Phlegmatic is peaceful and the great leveler (n : orang yang suka menyamaratakan sesuatu atau seseorang) in life. He says, “It really doesn’t matter that much” – and it usually doesn’t matter! The Phlegmatic is content (adj : memuas - muaskan), easy-going (adj : santai), not pushy (adj : ambisius), balanced, on an even keel, doesn’t easily offend, and quietly does what is expected of him. “Whatever” seems to be the Phlegmatic’s life motto. He is a “learned (adj : terpelajar)” leader and with proper motivation, he will rise to the top, because of his outstanding ability to get with everyone and avoid conflict.

Despite its diversity, it is common for individuals to have many traits (n : sifat) from one or two of the personality types and smaller amounts in the others. There are four possible combinations can be found in someone’s personality. 1) Natural Combination i.e Sanguine Choleric, 2) Complementing Combination i.e for relationship – oriented : Sanguine Phlegmatic and for goal – oriented : Choleric Melancholy, 3) Opposite Combination i.e Sanguine Melancholic and Choleric Phlegmatic, 4) Small amounts from all 4 types can be generally considered either Phlegmatic, perfect man, or the person whose past was over – directed, strictly controlled or severely oppressed (v : ditindas). I considered myself under Complementing Combination for goal – oriented, but I – even it is negligible – also have some Sanguin features. Littauer encourages people to take the profile test to determine in which categories their personality lies. But in this occasion, we would not do that. If you wish to know more about yourself and others through Littauer’s personality test, you may join us in our Mobile English Discussion in STKIP YPUP (contact us for further info).

We need to learn what our strengths are and amplify (v : memperkuat) them, and what our weaknesses are and overcome them with God’s transforming power. We need to understand the personalities of the people around us as well to have the best relationship possible with them. Otherwise, they can drive us crazy! Trust me, they can and they will!

Reference : The Personaity Plus Book by France Littauers

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by Naskar Hansam | Nobody

Positive thinking is a mental attitude that admits into the mind thoughts, words and images that are conductive to growth, expansion and success. It is a mental attitude that expects good and favorable results. A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of every situation and action. Whatever the mind expects, it finds. 

Not everyone accepts or believes in positive thinking. Some consider the subject as just nonsense, and others scoff at people who believe and accept it. Among the people who accept it, not many know how to use it effectively to get results. Yet, it seems that many are becoming attracted to this subject, as evidenced by the many books, lectures and courses about it. This is a subject that is gaining popularity. 

It is quite common to hear people say: "Think positive!", to someone who feels down and worried. Most people do not take these words seriously, as they do not know what they really mean, or do not consider them as useful and effective. How many people do you know, who stop to think what the power of positive thinking means? 

Positive thinking is contagious. All of us affect, in one way or another, the people we meet. This happens instinctively and on a subconscious level, through thoughts and feelings transference, and through body language. People sense our aura and are affected by our thoughts, and vice versa. People are more disposed to help us if we are positive, and they dislike and avoid anyone broadcasting negativity. 

Here are a few actions and tips to help you develop the power of positive thinking :

1. Always use only positive words while thinking and while talking. Use words such as, 'I can', 'I am able', 'it is possible', 'it can be done', etc. 
2. Allow into your awareness only feelings of happiness, strength and success. 
3. Try to disregard and ignore negative thoughts. Refuse to think such thoughts, and substitute them with constructive happy thoughts. 
4. In your conversation use words that evoke feelings and mental images of strength, happiness and success. 
5. Before starting with any plan or action, visualize clearly in your mind its successful outcome. If you visualize with concentration and faith, you will be amazed at the results. 
6. Read at least one page of inspiring book every day. 
7. Watch movies that make you feel happy. 
8. Minimize the time you listen to the news and read the papers. 
9. Associate yourself with people who think positively. 
10. Always sit and walk with your back straight. This will strengthen your confidence and inner strength. 
11. Walk, swim or engage in some other physical activity. This helps to develop a more positive attitude. 

Think positive and expect only favorable results and situations, even if your current circumstances are not as you wish them to be. In time, your mental attitude will affect your life and circumstances and change them accordingly.

by Iryanthi Farida Saiful | Hasanuddin University