Blog

Collaboration is the third pillar in The Persuasion Blueprint’s Circle of Persuasion (Caring, Connection, Collaboration). If Caring ensures empathy and Connection builds trust, Collaboration is where ideas are co-created, ownership is shared, and solutions emerge that neither party could have achieved alone.

Persuasion is often misunderstood as a tool for manipulation. In reality, it is the art of aligning human instinct with thoughtful action, of helping our brains “play nice with themselves.”

When we think about the most important relationships in business and life, our minds often go straight to clients, prospects, team members, or family.

I attended a pre-Thanksgiving yoga class. Having made explicit reference to the potential interpersonal challenges associated with family get togethers over the Holidays, my instructor got me thinking about yoga’s place in helping prepare for such interactions.

In an era where conversations about the Middle East often devolve into acrimonious debate, Tarek Masoud’s interview series at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government Belfer Center stands out as a masterclass in how to frame discussion with dignity, empathy, and rigor.

How Anger Hijacks the Brain and Sabotages Judgment It’s a provocative title, yes. It’s also a neurological truth. When we’re angry, we become cognitively impaired. Not permanently, of course but, in the heat of the moment, our brain’s ability to process information, weigh options, and make sound judgments is dramatically compromised. The Brain on Anger: A Hijacked System When anger flares, the amygdala—the almond-shaped structure deep in the brain—activates like a fire alarm.

Real-World Lessons in Persuasive Repair In the world of persuasive communication, we often focus on the opening move—the pitch, the framing, the story that captures attention. But what happens when the first impression falters? What if the initial contact is not just underwhelming, but off-putting? That’s where the true test of persuasion begins—not in the perfect delivery, but in the recovery. Recently, I had an experience that reminded me why The Persuasion Blueprint doesn’