@robdwillis: Say the weakness first (the trial lawyer move from Cialdini) Most people defend their idea harder when they get challenged. That is when they lose the room. Cialdini called it counter-intuitive in Influence. Honesty increases authority. Lawyers who acknowledge a weakness first are seen as more credible, not less. Adverts that admit a limitation before highlighting strengths outperform flawless claims. Even a waiter who warns 'that dish is not great today' gains trust and ends up increasing your spend. People do not trust perfection. They trust awareness. So in your next meeting, before anyone else can challenge you, name the limitation yourself. 'This works well, but there is a constraint here.' Now the weakness is not an attack point. It is already accounted for. When was the last time naming a weakness first actually won you the room? Drop it below. 🎙️ Chief Story Officer #executivecommunication #leadership #executivepresence #influence #communication
