It's the most wonderful time of the year... but wouldn't it be better if it happened twice?

In this special holiday episode, Patrick van der Burght puts his "Detective of Influence" hat on to solve a fun problem: How do we ethically persuade Santa Claus to double his visits?

Through this playful thought experiment, you'll see the 7 Principles of Persuasion in a whole new light. From calculating the exact amount of milk needed to trigger true Reciprocity (it involves 2,200 Airbus A380s!) to finding Social Proof among other legendary figures, this episode is a fun refresher on the science of influence.

✅ Reciprocity Revisited: Why leaving cookies for Santa isn't a true gift (it's a transaction), and the massive logistical challenge of sending him a real gift first.

✅ The "We" in Christmas: How to use the Principle of Unity by reminding Santa that we co-created our children's upbringing.

✅ Social Proof for Legends: How pointing to the Tooth Fairy (who visits often) and La Befana (who brings sweets) creates a powerful peer pressure for Santa.

✅ Consistency Commitments: Analysing Santa's past statements ("I read every letter") to lock him into a new commitment.

✅ Ethical Scarcity: Using the fleeting nature of childhood and the competition from "screens" to create genuine urgency for handmade toys.

✅ A Call for Authority: A special challenge for Cialdini Certified Practitioners to leave a "trust-building" comment on social media!

❗️Your Ethical Persuasion Challenge (Holiday Edition)❗️

1. The "True Gift" Test: This Christmas, try giving a gift without expectation. No "you have to come to dinner to get it." Just send it. See how it changes the feeling of Reciprocity.

2. Unity at the Table: If family arguments start, switch to "We" language. "We all care about this family." Watch the tension drop.

3. Donate: Use your influence for good. Find a local charity and make a donation to help those who are struggling this season.

Resources Mentioned:

Charity Challenge: Patrick encourages everyone to pick a charity that helps children and donate this season.

LEGO #BuildToGive: Build a heart from LEGO, share it with #BuildToGive, and they donate a set to a child in need.

Previous Episodes: A great time to catch up on the foundational episodes if you missed them!

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Podcast - https://ethicalpersuasion.com.au/podcast/

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ethicalpersuasion

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-van-der-burght/