Ryan Byrd’s Ramblings

How do you get your way? Well, the art of negotiation and persuasion is a study unto itself, but there are a few tricks you can use to aid people to do your nefarious (or benign) bidding. Here are a few of those tips. Obviously, with great power…

• Use the word “because” (From the book, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion)
• Speak into their right ear (From the Telegraph):

“Known as the ‘right ear advantage,’ scientists believe it is because information received through the right ear is processed by the left hand side of the brain which is more logical and better at deciphering verbal information than the right side of the brain. ‘Talk into the right ear you send your words into a slightly more amenable part of the brain,’ say researchers. The team…  observed the behavior of hundreds of people in three nightclubs across the city where they intentionally addressed 176 people in either their right or their left ear when asking for a cigarette. They obtained significantly more cigarettes when they made their request in a person’s right ear compared with their left. “

• Give them something (a small gift). Why do you think stores have free samples? Reciprocation is a strong social motivator.
• Wear a lab coat. People will apparently do anything when instructed to by a doctor or a scientist. Shocking!
• Ask for a small favor first. Once they agree, then ask for something bigger.
• Smile. Use their name (Thank’s Dale!)

Now, don’t use this new-found knowledge for evil, OKAY?!?

How do you get your way?