John W. Tanner, J.D., M.S.

If you want instant influence, then learn how to help people improve their social status.

The only thing that persuades people to move toward you or from you is their presumption to whether or not you will increase their status or decrease it.

Most of our decisions throughout life are tied to how we perceive ourselves and how others will perceive us. Think about the following status symbols:

Harvard degree = intelligence

Rolex watch = style

Oceanfront estate = wealth

Washboard abs = healthy lifestyle

Business owner = power

Family vacations = happiness

From the clothing brands we wear to the cars we drive, the schools we send our kids to, and the neighborhoods we live in, from the companies we work for to the places we go to on vacation, all are indicators of social status.

In the book how to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie wrote about liking people.

You can take this a step further by helping people improve their social status.