My grandmother always set an extra place at the table for the unexpected traveller who may be seeking food and shelter. I'm grateful for her life and what she means for our family. And i bet you have nona in your life too. Perhaps, like my grandmother, they escaped from a war to find a better life. Or maybe they supported your education or came alongside you at some point as a teacher or mentor perhaps your zonona lent it an ear or a shoulder or a home at a time you were struggling. It's been many years since i didn't eir an episode on a monday, but this show will be dark next week. So i have an invitation for you
Vanessa Bohns: You Have More Influence Than You Think
Vanessa Bohns is a social psychologist, an award-winning researcher and teacher, and a professor of organizational behavior at Cornell University.
Her writing and research has been published in top academic journals in psychology, management, and law and has also been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, and NPR's Hidden Brain. Her book is titled You Have More Influence Than You Think: How We Underestimate Our Power of Persuasion, and Why It Matters*.
In this conversation, Vanessa and I explore the conclusions of research: we often don’t recognize our own power. We detail some of the common patterns that leaders should watch for in their work. Most importantly, we discuss the practical steps that almost anybody can take to use power more responsibly.
Key Points
Power can lead people to underestimate their words and actions. A powerful person's whisper can sound more like a shout to the person they have power over.
Power tends to lead people to ignore the perspective of others and to feel freer to do whatever they want.
The effects of power are not inevitable. You can do better for others by thinking about power as responsibility.
Adopt the lens of a third party in order to see the impact of your actions on others.
To feel your impact better, ask people what they aren thinking of feeling, rather than simply imagining or assuming.
One way to experience your influence by taking action to give positive recognition and feedback.
Resources Mentioned
You Have More Influence Than You Think: How We Underestimate Our Power of Persuasion, and Why It Matters* by Vanessa Bohns
Interview Notes
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Related Episodes
Use Power for Good and Not Evil, with Dacher Keltner (episode 254)
How to Create Meaningful Gatherings, with Priya Parker (episode 395)
How to Negotiate When Others Have Power, with Kwame Christian (episode 416)
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