Inspiring Workplaces 
The Way Work Ought to Be!

#1,071 - April 30, 2025

Here are three things you can do to improve your ability to influence the behavior of your colleagues, customers, or yes, maybe even your teenage children! 

#1. Offer Social Proof. One study found that hotel guests were 26% more likely to reuse their towels when the message focused on how many hotel guests were reusing the towels rather than using a generic message about helping the environment. In a similar style, our electric company shows how our electricity use compares to our neighbors, offering a gentle nudge for us to do better. This form of what's known as 'social proof' is a proven way to positively influence people. 

#2. Prime Their Ego. When surveyors randomly stop people in a shopping mall and ask shoppers if they consider themselves to be a helpful person, 77% of the people stopped agree to be surveyed vs. only 29% who agree when they aren't asked the question. Similarly, when you ask people, "Do you consider yourself to be adventurous and open-minded?" people are far more likely to be agreeable, so start your meetings by reminding everyone how much you appreciate how curious and open-minded your colleagues are.  

#3. Make It About Them! Studies show that you are more drawn to topics that are about, well, you! The more you personalize your messages so they are relevant to your intended audience, the higher the likelihood that people will buy into what's being asked of them. Even just changing your language from using words such as they or people to you will help you improve your odds of success. (See what I did there?)  

#4. Humor Them. Using humor to convey a request reduces resistance and helps people maintain a more open mind. One study found that people are five times more likely to go along with a request when you deliver the request with a side of humor! 

(Whilst I have you here, please remember to mosey on over to the sidebar. Many of you have asked when my book, "Small Moments, Big Outcomes" will be available as an audio book. And the answer is now. It's available now.)