I once read a saying that the three key elements to success are sweet-talking, tough-heartedness, and being soft on the outside but tough on the inside. After careful consideration, I find it to be quite true.

I once met a female boss who I thought was outstanding. She could work like a man and excel in everything from playing musical instruments to painting, despite her soft appearance, she had the heart of a man.

During the early stages of her business, the company had only a few dozen employees. In just two years, the company expanded to hundreds of employees. Some said she was a tough character, but only she knew how much she had endured along the way.

She said: during the early stages of entrepreneurship, facing various problems led to frequent issues in the company, causing her to lose a lot of hair. At that time, since the company had just been established, she had to personally handle many things such as negotiating partnerships, customer service, and after-sales. She never bothered others with tasks she could handle herself.

Back then, for the sake of the company, she sought help everywhere. After many hardships, the company barely survived. Behind this strong woman, there was a need for unwavering perseverance to support her progress, as the saying goes.

Success never comes easy for anyone, regardless of gender.

A successful person excels in various aspects, not just one.

Sweet-Talking and Tough-Hearted:

Encouraging sweet-talking and tough-heartedness doesn’t mean advocating for sly and ruthless behavior. It emphasizes the importance of high emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills. Sweet-talking means being articulate. A person who is good at communication earns respect and favor wherever they go.

There’s a saying that if someone around you dislikes you, ignores, rejects, or refuses you, it hurts. Conversely, rejecting or refusing others makes you uncomfortable too. It’s hard for us as social beings to remain indifferent to others. Managing these likes and dislikes is known as emotional intelligence.

A person’s emotional intelligence not only determines their position but also their ability to communicate effectively. Making decisions decisively without hesitation is crucial. Before starting anything, careful consideration is necessary. Having full confidence in every decision made is vital for successful planning.

Soft on the Outside, Tough on the Inside:

Being soft on the outside but tough on the inside represents a person’s resilient character. Being friendly, approachable, warm, gentle, and kind to others signifies respect. People who appear fragile on the outside actually radiate strength from within, exuding confidence. They are not weak or timid but embody self-assurance and a soft, peaceful attitude towards the world.

Those who are soft on the outside but tough on the inside can adapt to different situations, making life more exciting. They can bend without breaking, making them successful in various endeavors due to their inherent resilience and reliability.

If someone gives up at the slightest difficulty, they will not succeed in the end, nor achieve anything significant. Only those who are soft on the outside but tough on the inside can handle various unexpected situations in life.

Listen More, Speak Less:

Learning to be silent and listen more reflects humility and capability. Those who speak less often listen more, allowing them to learn from others’ opinions to make up for their shortcomings.

Such individuals are genuinely humble from within. Often, those who speak a lot only put on a show, as truly profound individuals understand the importance of listening to others, showing respect towards them.

In the novel “Pride and Prejudice,” during a tea party, Elizabeth Bennet listened intently as a gentleman who had just returned from Africa shared his experiences. She hardly spoke during the entire conversation. However, when parting, the gentleman remarked to someone else, “What an eloquent young lady she is.” When you learn to listen to others, you earn their respect and admiration.

Respect is mutual. By respecting others, you will also receive kindness from them.

The path to success is not easy. If you aspire to be successful, learn to manage your words and actions. Sweet-talking and tough-heartedness remind us to be articulate and decisive. Being soft on the outside but tough on the inside teaches us to be resilient and strong. Listening more and speaking less reminds us to be humble and cautious. Only by following these principles can you avoid detours and move closer to success in your life.