Exercises in improving our own cognitive abilities often neglect a focus on how we interpret, and react to, others’ lapses in thinking. In attempting to become a better thinker – therefore improving productivity, relationships, and performance – we may become more sensitive to inefficiencies and inaccuracies in information and processes we come across day-to-day.
Getting people to cooperate with you can be a challenging task, especially when you have limited resources or authority. However, there are some effective persuasion skills and influence strategies that can help you achieve your goals and win over others.
In this article, you will learn how to use the reciprocity principle, social proof, and motivational factors to entice people to help you. You will also discover how to unlock kindness within others, prime them in unobvious ways, and challenge them to bring out their best. By applying these techniques, you will be able to gain cooperation and build trust with anyone you encounter.
As popularized by Dale Carnegie in the book, “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” the word “but” is a powerful killer of morale. Have you ever been listening to someone talk and just waiting for the “but” in their statement? A common tactic of telling people the truth is to mask the harsh truth with … Read more
A mix of nervousness, shock, and a ramped-up level of self analysis can culminate into an ill advised reaction when meeting someone famous. You’ve likely visualized yourself being in a position of interacting with famous people. Simulating our own personal interactions with those we see on screens is a test of our ability to keep up … Read more
This article offers insights on how to deal with the disappointment that comes with broken promises, a common occurrence in today’s society. It explores the psychology behind making promises in the heat of the moment and why they often lead to unfulfilled expectations.
Additionally, the article examines what to do when someone continuously fails to keep their word and how to prevent being a victim of broken promises. Whether it’s friends who break promises or colleagues who don’t follow through, this piece provides practical advice on how to handle these situations with grace and integrity.
A common mistake people make while delivering criticism is serving to alienate the person they are critiquing. Making the people you criticize feel alone in a puddle of their mistakes is not an effective way of teaching a lesson. Allowing someone to feel alone with their mistakes discourages them from making the changes needed to move … Read more
This article delves into the challenging task of handling individuals who always make excuses and do not take responsibility for their actions. It begins by recounting a somber discovery that many people exhibit this behavior and provides insights into why excuses are made.
Readers will learn how to show empathy towards the stories behind the excuses and how to identify when the cause holds validity. The article also highlights common, improper reactions and encourages readers to debunk the causes and uncover underlying habits to make excuses.
Guilt-tripping is a manipulative tactic to influence a person’s behavior. It centers on manifesting a sense of guilt in the target so that their behavior toward the culprit turns more favorable. Guilt-tripping can have a wide range of specific end-goals, from ensuring a constant stream of attention from a new romantic partner, to providing financial aid to someone who’s less fortunate. The overarching goal of people who seek to induce guilt in you is to influence your future behavior in a way which is favorable to them.
In today’s world, it’s easy to find people who support your views, but it’s harder to find people who challenge them. Having people on your side may feel good, but it’s important to ask yourself whether they’re there for the right reasons.
The article explores how having a large number of supporters who rely on fallacies and straw-man arguments can weaken your position. It emphasizes the importance of being honest with yourself and having a strong argument that can stand up to scrutiny. The article also delves into the volatility of communication and how wrong messages can be conveyed when playing a game of broken telephone.
This article delves into the art of mediating arguments and providing strategies for resolving conflicts between friends. It emphasizes the importance of protecting each friend’s time in expressing their point of view, granulating wrongfulness so that it can be attributed to both, and being lenient in interpreting those wrongdoings while still protecting the victim’s reactions.
With these tactics, individuals can learn to handle conflicts constructively and prevent them from escalating further. Whether it’s a minor disagreement or a major dispute, the techniques outlined in this article can help friends navigate their disagreements in a way that strengthens their relationships rather than damaging them.