How to Master the Psychology of Persuasion, with Michael McQueen

Afford Anything

#510: Maybe you’re trying to convince:

– Your spouse | to embrace the FIRE movement.

– Your teenage kids | to invest some of their summer job money in stocks.

– Your neighbor | to sell you their house in a private, off-market deal.

– Your boss | to give you more vacation time.

– Your client | to pay you more.

Today’s episode is about how to change minds, build trust, navigate conversations, and influence and persuade others.

We chat with Michael McQueen, a social researcher, strategist, and the author of 10 books.

He’s spoken alongside Bill Gates, Apple co-founder Steve Woznick and Dr. John C. Maxwell, and was named Australia’s Keynote Speaker of the Year. His latest book, Mindstuck, focuses on how to be more persuasive.

Here are some of the ideas we cover:

Stubbornness: We tend to be stubborn because of our inherent desire to protect our existing beliefs and identities. This is partly due to the fact that the human mind has a tendency to make quick judgments and resist challenges.

Logical Fallacy: People often rely on confirmation bias and tribalism when evaluating information. We tend to favor information that aligns with our existing beliefs and groups we identify with.

Complexity over Extremes: When presented with opposing viewpoints, exposure to extreme viewpoints can – counterintuitively – make people more entrenched in their own beliefs. Introducing complexity and nuance can foster a more open-minded approach.

Here are some of his tips:

• Uncover the Hidden Fear
• Address the Loss Aversion
• Use "Right and Reflect" to Get People Talking
• Build Rapport and Choose the Right Moment
• Frame Your Message for Impact
• Move Beyond Persuasion and Focus on Progress

McQueen elaborates on these tips in today’s podcast episode. Enjoy!

For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode510

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices