Unlock the Power of Persuasion: Discover "The Elephant Persuasion Principle" Podcast!

Ever wondered how to influence people effortlessly, build unbreakable trust, and close deals like a pro? Imagine having a memory as sharp as an elephant's—never forgetting a name, a face, or a crucial detail that seals the connection. Recall like an elephant and watch your relationships soar!

Elephants aren't just massive; they're memory masters! With brains weighing a whopping 5 kg (11 lbs - they excel at recall for survival and social bonds. Think about Lakshmi, the elephant in India who, after years of abuse, retaliated against her tormentor in June 2024. It's a stark reminder: elephants remember pain, loyalty, and everything in between. Now, apply that to your life - remember names like an elephant and you'll persuade like never before!

Why is remembering names a game-changing people skill? It shows respect and genuine interest, sparking trust and rapport. In business, it supercharges networking and leadership. Socially, it cements friendships and nails first impressions. A 2016 Journal of Social Psychology study proves it: using someone's name boosts your warmth and competence, making you instantly more likable. It's not just polite; it's persuasive 101!

But what's happening in your brain? When you hear your name, your attention spikes (like "Great job, Sarah!"), the amygdala lights up with emotion, and the prefrontal cortex evaluates the feel-good factor. It personalizes interactions, validates feelings, and follows social norms that make folks like you more.

Here are two simple techniques:

1. Repeat and Use the Name Immediately: Say "Nice to meet you, Sarah!" and weave it in again: "So, Sarah, what's your story?" Repetition builds brain pathways, shifting names from your short-term memory to long-term recall. Example: At a networking bash, greet John with "John, awesome to connect - what's your passion, John?" Boom - name locked in!

2. Associate with a Visual Image: Link the name to a wild picture. For Rose, envision a Rose coming out of her ear. Your brain loves visuals, leveraging the hippocampus for recall.

Want more insights into recalling names, increasing recall and 4 other techniques to instantly connect to anyone. Tune into The Elephant Principle Of Persuasion Podcast. Whether you're in sales, leadership, or just want to ace social scenes, this podcast turns you into a persuasion powerhouse.

Persuade With Power

Kurt Mortensen

PS Influence University Special

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Do You Know When It’s Time to Shut Up? Time To Seal The Deal?

Ever wonder why your presentation isn’t closing deals, even when you’re pouring your heart into explaining every feature of your product or service? The truth might sting: you’re probably talking too much.

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The Trap of Talking Too Much

When you’re trying to persuade someone—whether it’s a client, a colleague, or even a friend—it’s tempting to lay out every perk and plus. After all, shouldn’t highlighting all the amazing features seal the deal? Not quite. Research shows that 81% of persuaders talk more than necessary. Your audience isn’t buying because of your reasons; they’re buying for their reasons.

Bury them in details, and their eyes glaze over. Worse, you might accidentally highlight a feature they don’t care about—or one they see as a downside. If you’re spouting off every fact you know, you’re not persuading—you’re overwhelming. So, how do you avoid this trap?

Listen First, Present Later

The secret to effective persuasion is simple: shut up and listen. Your audience already knows what they want, so let them tell you. Instead of leading with a laundry list of features, ask questions to uncover their priorities. Are they looking for cost savings? Convenience? Status? Once you know what matters to them, focus your pitch on those points and nothing else. This approach saves time, builds trust, and keeps you from wasting energy on irrelevant details.

Here’s a practical tip you can use today: start your next conversation with open-ended questions like, “What’s most important to you in a [product/service]?” or “What challenges are you trying to solve?” Then, listen carefully. Their answers are your roadmap. Tailor your pitch to address their specific needs, and resist the urge to throw in extra “just in case” features. Less is more.

Two Moments You’re Talking Too Much

Join me for the Maximize Your Influence Podcast, and I will dive into the two critical moments where persuaders tend to overdo it:

During the Presentation: If you’re dominating the conversation, you’re missing vital information. Your audience is giving you clues about their needs, objections, and priorities— but you won’t hear them if you’re too busy talking. Practice active listening: pause after key points, ask follow-up questions, and let them steer the discussion.

At the Close: Knowing when your audience is ready to buy is crucial. If you keep pushing after they’re convinced, you risk annoying them or raising doubts. Look for verbal and nonverbal signals—like agreement or enthusiasm—and shift to confirming the decision rather than piling on more reasons to buy.

A Quick Strategy to Try Now

Here’s a simple framework to persuade without overwhelming:

Ask and Listen: Use questions to uncover their needs and priorities.

Focus and Deliver: Highlight only the benefits that align with their stated goals.

Pause and Check: After presenting, pause to gauge their reaction. Ask, “How does this fit with what you’re looking for?”

Close Concisely: Once they’re ready, summarize and confirm the next steps.

By talking less, you’ll actually say more.

Why You Need This Podcast

Join me for the Maximize Your Influence Podcast and you will discover how to decode buying signals to avoiding the “feature data dump” that kills deals, this episode is packed with actionable advice for anyone who wants to influence others effectively.

Persuade With Power

Kurt Mortensen

Influence University - Deal of the week

This episode delves into the significance of mood and emotional intelligence in persuasion. Kurt emphasizes the importance of creating a positive environment and shares various techniques to boost one's own mood and that of others, such as using genuine compliments, humor, and physical movement.

With Hot Coffee, We See a Warm Heart, Yale Researchers Find

Through anecdotes and scientific studies, Kurt illustrates how a positive mood can enhance receptiveness, creativity, and trust, ultimately increasing the chances of persuasive success.

Deal of the week

In this episode, Kurt discusses the concept of elicitation, also known as the art of subtly extracting information without the other person realizing it. This technique is valuable in fields such as sales, negotiation, and leadership, as it helps gather crucial information to address people's needs effectively.

Why Emotional Intelligence Is Important in Leadership – Daniel Goleman

Key topics include the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ), which involves understanding and managing both your own and others' emotions, and various elicitation techniques like open-ended questions, active listening, and creating a safe conversational environment. The episode also features listener mail, highlighting the greatest skills for salespeople, and provides insights from experts like Daniel Goleman on EQ's impact on success.

OFFER OF THE WEEK

In this episode Kurt discusses strategies for effective and seamless sales closing. He emphasizes the importance of creating a resistant-free environment by focusing on the needs and pains of prospects rather than prioritizing the sales agenda. Kurt introduces the concept of "greasing the squeaky wheels," which entails listening more, personalizing presentations, avoiding pushy sales tactics, and building trust. He provides practical advice, including offering options, providing guarantees, and using legitimate scarcity to ease the decision-making process for prospects.

Trust in Media 2025: Which news sources Americans use and trust

The episode also covers pitfalls to avoid, such as dishonesty and overwhelming prospects with too many choices. A scholarly article on media trust and a listener's email question on crafting a call to action are also discussed.

Deal of the week

In this episode Kurt discusses the significant impact that personal energy has on influencing and motivating others. He explores how positive or negative energy can affect interactions, whether in one-on-one situations or within a group setting.

Emotional expressions shape how help is received in the workplace

He also shares insights on fostering a positive environment, using examples from personal experiences and research. He provides practical advice on maintaining high energy levels, the importance of body language, the role of optimism, and how to positively influence and connect with others in various settings. The episode also includes a section on handling technology in customer service and the importance of genuine emotional expression in the workplace.

In this episode Kurt explores the evolving landscape of persuasion, sales, and influence. Kurt discusses contemporary trends, crucial sales statistics, and key tactics to adapt to these changes effectively. Topics include the importance of personalizing interactions, the impact of social selling, and the necessity of persistence in sales follow-ups.

Impostor Syndrome - Can You Really Fake Your Way to Success

149 Eye-Opening Sales Statistics to Consider in 2025

The episode also addresses imposter syndrome and offers insights into improving sales techniques to stay ahead in a rapidly changing market. Kurt emphasizes the need to adapt or risk falling behind, reinforcing the importance of continuous learning and development in sales.

Deal of the week

In this episode Kurt addresses how to effectively promote oneself without coming across as bragging. Mortensen explores the fine line between building credibility and being perceived as boastful, especially in professional settings like networking events. He provides insights on the importance of having others vouch for you to build credibility, incorporating personal success stories subtly, and focusing on genuine, value-based self-promotion.

Signs of Pathological Lying and How to Handle

Additionally, the episode delves into understanding pathological lying and how to spot and handle individuals who habitually lie. The show wraps up with practical advice on leveraging testimonials, endorsements, and maintaining authenticity while promoting oneself.

Offer of the week: