BERNE BRILLSTEIN
Hollywood producer/manager Brillstein swims with the sharks—but has a reputation as a pussycat. His new book, The Little Stuff Matters Most, reveals how he uses—surprise!—civility to trump his competitors. Brillstein shares some of his top tips with PEOPLE.
THINK ABOUT THE OTHER GUY As obvious as this sounds, lots of people don't do it: Listen instead of talking. Don't worry about what you want to sell, worry about what the customer wants to buy. If you treat people fairly, you'll always be ahead.
WINNERS MAKE TOUGH CALLS It's easy to call someone when they've just had a hit, but it's more important to make the call when someone is cold, when they've flopped.
DON'T TALK BEHIND SOMEONE'S BACK IN FRONT OF THEM Translation: If someone is across the room and you're talking about them, they know. People at Hollywood cocktail parties do it all the time. It's suicide.
WINNERS DON'T HAVE TO BE ASS——-Some leaders employ fear or arrogance. But if you set yourself up as a real separatist, when you make a mistake you learn the real meaning of being alone. Look at Michael Jackson.
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