Core Insights - The article discusses the concept of "thick-skinned" individuals who tend to achieve more success in various aspects of life, including career advancement and negotiations, due to their lower sensitivity to social evaluations [2][10]. Group 1: Characteristics of Thick-Skinned Individuals - Thick-skinned individuals exhibit lower sensitivity to social evaluations, which is influenced by physiological traits, cognitive differences, and environmental factors [4][6]. - Physiologically, those with thick skin have a less reactive amygdala, leading to reduced feelings of shame and embarrassment [4]. - Cognitively, thick-skinned individuals may possess either a stable self-esteem or a narcissistic defense mechanism, allowing them to ignore negative feedback [5]. Group 2: Advantages of Being Thick-Skinned - Thick-skinned individuals tend to be more confident, driven by a stable self-evaluation system, which allows them to act decisively without being swayed by external opinions [12][14]. - They demonstrate stronger resilience to setbacks, viewing failures as isolated incidents rather than reflections of their self-worth [19][20]. - In negotiations, thick-skinned individuals focus on achieving their goals rather than worrying about how their requests may be perceived by others [27]. Group 3: Strategies for Developing Thick-Skinned Traits - Individuals can adopt strategies such as separating facts from opinions, distinguishing between their areas of expertise and external opinions, and maintaining a self-affirmation journal to build internal confidence [16][18]. - They can also practice "B Plan thinking" to prepare for potential failures, lower expectations for initial attempts, and conduct failure reviews instead of self-criticism [23][25]. - Engaging in role-playing for challenging requests, preparing scripts for negotiations, and starting with smaller requests can help individuals become more comfortable in asserting their needs [29][30][31]. Group 4: Resource Utilization - Thick-skinned individuals are more willing to leverage their networks and seek help, viewing requests as opportunities for connection rather than burdens [32][34]. - They can enhance their approach by reframing requests as mutual exchanges, adhering to reciprocity principles, and making specific, manageable requests to reduce the likelihood of rejection [35][36][38]. Conclusion - While being thick-skinned can lead to short-term gains in various areas, achieving sustainable happiness requires a balance between assertiveness and empathy, adapting to different situations as needed [40].