Being bold can lead to magnificent results and memorable experiences.
Expecting success and having contingency plans can help command a room and navigate unexpected situations.
Instead of stating, suggest how you want to be perceived to influence others and boost your own confidence.
Deep dives
The Importance of Being Bold
Being bold is crucial in achieving new results and outcomes. Taking risks and trying new things can lead to magnificent results, even if there is a chance of failure. The story of Jimmy Grippo exemplifies the power of boldness in creating memorable experiences. Regular people can practice boldness by stepping out of their comfort zones, such as initiating conversations or trying new activities.
Expecting Success
Expecting success is essential in commanding a room and influencing others. By assuming that the audience already loves and respects you, you can change the tone of engagements and presentations. Thinking of the best possible outcome and focusing on that, rather than dwelling on potential negative outcomes, can lead to better performances and interactions. Even when things go wrong, having contingency plans and spontaneous resourcefulness can help navigate unexpected situations with confidence.
The Art of Suggestion
Instead of stating or forcing a perception, suggest how you want to be perceived by your audience. Creating a character or persona that aligns with your desired image can influence how others perceive and interact with you. Owning the stage and being deliberate in your movements and actions can convey confidence and command the room. Additionally, mentally framing yourself as an important and powerful person can boost your own confidence and influence how others respond to you.
Practice, practice, practice
In this episode, the magician Steve Cohen emphasizes the importance of practice in his craft. He reveals that he practices magic every day, whether it's with cards, coins, or other small objects. Cohen strives to perfect the moves and sleight of hand to the point where they become invisible to the audience. He believes that practice should be an enjoyable experience and that pushing oneself to get better should be rewarding. Additionally, he highlights the significance of performing in front of people as a crucial part of the learning process, as it helps magicians understand what works and what doesn't in the real world.
Be Prepared and Persuasive Language
Steve Cohen discusses the importance of being prepared as a magician. He explains that whenever he enters a room, he starts looking for objects that he can incorporate into his tricks. By having a mental Rolodex of tricks and patterns, he ensures that he is never caught unaware when performing. Cohen also shares tips on persuasive language. He mentions the use of layered commands, where two commands are given to make it harder for people to say no. He also talks about the power of trailing commands, where the listener's mind automatically fills in the implied negation. Cohen concludes by revealing his use of the phrase 'Let me tell you a little secret' as a way to capture people's attention and create an air of intrigue.
To be successful at their craft, magicians must possess the well-honed technical skills to pull off their mystifying tricks and clever sleights of hand. But as magician Steve Cohen observes, they must also be "masters at attracting interest, holding attention, and leaving audiences with fond memories of their time together" — skills that everyone can use to persuade audiences, charm dates, own a room, and influence others.
Steve, also known as the Millionaires' Magician, is the author Win the Crowd: Unlock the Secrets of Influence, Charisma, and Showmanship. Today on the show, Steve shares the insights he and his fellow magicians know on everything from taking command of a room to creating a compelling character to making a magical entrance. Steve shares how to build your boldness through "put pocketing," develop "spontaneous resourcefulness," get people wrapped up in the magic of your message by suggesting rather than stating, increase your confidence by having a place for everything and everything in its place, and much more. At the end of our conversation, he shares two of his most interesting tips and explains how to influence people to do what you want by using "layered commands" and the "trailing or."
