Maximize Your Influence

This Law of Persuasion states that the more skillful a person is in the use of language, the more persuasive they are.  Words affect our perceptions, attitudes, beliefs, and emotions.   Language misused will trigger the wrong response and decrease your ability to persuade.  All words have emotional meanings that are different from their dictionary definitions.  Understanding words and their emotio...

Fear comes from uncertainty, financial challenges, past experience, or the fear of making a wrong decision. So, how do you switch them from fear to focus? Horror films offer a psychological thrill ride When you shift the emotional energy from fear and doubt to confidence and anticipation, you will close the sale and leave your prospect feeling good about their choice.  Join me for this week's podc...

Whether you're meeting someone for the first time, closing a business deal, or deepening a personal relationship, your body language is crucial in establishing rapport and trust - or inadvertently causing resistance. Understanding and mastering these nonverbal signals can transform how you connect with others.  Here's how to recognize the signs that show you're making a connection and those that i...

EQ, or Emotional Intelligence, refers to the ability to recognize, understand, manage, and influence your own emotions and the emotions of others. It is a crucial aspect of relationships, influence, and leadership.  Unlike IQ, which is relatively stable throughout life, EQ can be developed and improved through practice and self-awareness. Emotional Intelligence Has 12 Elements. Which Do You Need t...

Have you ever witnessed someone lose their temper over a hotel room upgrade? It happened to me while traveling with a famous personal development speaker who shall remain nameless. After a long day, we arrived late at night for our speaking engagement, and He asked the clerk for an upgrade. She politely declined, which didn't go over well. 6 Reasons Salespeople Win or Lose a Sale Finally, we need...

FOMO has gained significant traction in the digital age, where social media and online marketing amplify our awareness of what others are doing, buying, or experiencing. This heightened awareness can lead to a powerful emotional response, driving people to purchase or engage in activities they might otherwise pass on. The Psychology Behind FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) FOMO taps into a powerful psych...

Obligation has been used as a persuasive technique since the beginning of time. We see companies offering free downloads, free estimates, or gifts in the hope of opening the door to persuasion.  The Law of Obligation, also known as pre-giving or reciprocity, states that when others do something for us, we feel a strong need, or urge, to return the favor. Returning the favor rids us of the obligati...

I was reading this great article in Harvard Business Review, which focuses on how we CAN'T recognize our weaknesses.  The other challenge is that most people feel responsible for their successes (internal), and external factors are the cause of their failures. Leaders and managers today must be more aware of others' needs due to the challenges of a global pandemic, a fragile economy, and social un...

Can you influence others to be part of a team?  Are you a leader or a manager?  What is the difference?  A manager, you do things because you have to.  A leader, you do things because you want to.  So, what type of leader are you? Each type of leadership has different benefits and drawbacks.  Each leadership style will depend on your personality, culture, and industry.  The key is that no matter y...

Have you ever felt like all eyes were focused on you after a social mishap, a presentation, or a wardrobe malfunction? That's the Spotlight Effect in action, where we overestimate how much others notice our actions, mistakes, and appearance.  Psychologist Thomas Gilovich's research highlights this part of humanity with an interesting experiment. Have You Fallen Prey to the "Spotlight Effect?" Join...

Just showing up and winging it, destroys your confidence and ability to seal the deal. Preparation lays the foundation for a successful negotiation. Thorough preparation allows negotiators to understand their goals, identify their tools, and establish clear objectives. Scent of a friend: Similarities in body odor may contribute to social bonding Do you want a negotiation structure to follow during...

Military interrogators worldwide are like skilled chess players, understanding human psychology to uncover valuable information. They don't rely on luck but on calculated strategy. Let's dive into the world of interrogators. Going to bed after this time could lead to poorer mental health, a Stanford study finds Can you use these techniques to persuade and influence?  Absolutely.  Join me for this...

The Law of Dissonance proves that people will naturally act in a manner that is consistent with their cognitions. What is a cognition?  Our cognition is a mental process that uses thoughts, beliefs, experiences, and past perceptions. That means when people behave in a manner that is inconsistent with these cognitions (beliefs, thoughts or values), they find themselves in a state of discomfort. In...

We all need more appointments, and we all want more of them. How do we get more appointments or interviews?  The key is to eliminate the things you are doing that are getting you that, NO, that dang rejection.  These simple changes will improve your chances of getting that appointment/interview Nearly 4 in 10 employers avoid hiring recent college grads in favor of older workers A boss who uses a '...

Do you repel people?  Are you being offensive, pushing too hard, or saying the wrong things? As I interview prospects who have said no, the responses I get are interesting.  They told you it was too expensive, and they toldl me I did not trust them.  Statistics show that this is happening to you.  Let's get into some of these complaints and things you could be doing that repels the people you are...

Who's the better persuader? Is it the lively Extroverts thriving on social energy? Or maybe the contemplative Introverts harnessing the power of introspection? Could it be the versatile Ambiverts, navigating seamlessly between both worlds? Or perhaps the enigmatic Omniverts, fluctuating between the extremes? Rethinking the Extraverted Sales Ideal - The Ambivert Advantage Think about it - your vote...

Twenty years ago, a team led by Giacomo Rizzolatti at the University of Parma in Italy made a radical discovery: mirror neurons.  These specialized brain cells were found in Macaque Monkeys and would activate when the monkey performed an action and when it observed another monkey performing the same action. Mere agreement A similarity-based persuasion mechanism You can create more engaging, relata...

Recognizing manipulation can be easy to identify - if you know the signs.  Listen to this episode too learn about some indicators that may indicate you are being manipulated. More feelings of misinformation more news avoidance fake new So, how do you know if you are being manipulated?  Why do people manipulate?  How do you handle a manipulator?  Join me for this week's podcast on Are You A Master...

There is a big difference between a genuine question of concern and an "I'm done with you" objection. Is it a sign of interest or resistance? That is the key question. When your prospect presents every objection in the book, such outright resistance should be a red flag to you. In other words, you are probably going down the wrong road by not properly reading your prospect. What this person is rea...

Using meteoropathy (weather sensitivity) as a sales tool involves understanding and leveraging the impact of weather on individuals' moods, behaviors, and purchasing decisions.    Moods affect our thinking, judgment, and willingness to say yes. When the person you are trying to persuade is in a good mood, they are more likely to accept your offer. The opposite is also true. If they're not in a goo...

Voice plays a critical role in influence. [i]   How we say the words we choose is just as important as the words themselves. Our voice is a powerful instrument that can motivate the troops or lull them to sleep. There is a vast difference between presenting and persuading, informing and influencing, and communicating and convincing. How the voice persuades What are the other areas of vocal variety...

Dealing with a manager who won't give you the time of day and is distant can be challenging, but there are always tools you can use to improve the situation and create a more positive working relationship. On this episdode we will discuss some techniques to consider. Rethinking Groupthink It's important to remember that you may not be able to change your manager's behavior immediately, but you can...

It is no secret that the easiest person to influence is someone referred or recommended to you or your company.  The reality is that most of your business sales should be based on referrals. Here are the 3 best ways to get your prospect to want to give you referrals. Listen to this episode to hear some of the top reasons. The Energizing Effect of Humor You can create a positive experience for your...

AI (Artificial Intelligence )has the potential to revolutionize the sales process and provide numerous benefits to salespeople. A new study found the AI can persuade a salesperson by almost 82 percent! 9 Tips To Improve Your Concentration This study conducted by Swiss and Italian academics revealed that OpenAI's GPT demonstrates higher persuasive capabilities in debates compared to humans. Chewing...

Using metaphors in persuasion can help create vivid mental images, evoke emotions, and make your message more memorable and persuasive. Stories are always the best, but the next best thing is a good metaphor.  Facts and figures light up 2 parts of the brain; metaphors can light up 4 parts.  That is double the impact of the statistics you are using. To Grasp Metaphors, Our Brains Get Touchy-Feely M...