Influential is probably not a word you use to describe yourself if you are the quiet/smart/kind type of person. Furthermore, you probably have misconceptions about what it even means to have influence. Zoe Chance believes intelligent and caring people are precisely those who should learn how to harness their influence and then use it for bigger, more socially important issues. And she practices what she preaches! Zoe is donating half of the profits from her new book to fight the climate crisis.

“Influence Is Your Superpower: The Science of Winning Hearts, Sparking Change, and Making Good Things Happen” is the fantastic new book that Zoe has written. On this episode of Behavioral Grooves, we delve into Zoe’s clever way of framing system 1 and system 2 thinking, how being influential isn’t as hard as it appears, and about what she likes to call The Magic Question!

As a professor at the Yale School of Management, Zoe studies and teaches influence, focusing on research-based strategies to create positive impact in people’s lives. She teaches the most popular course at the Business School, called “Mastering Influence and Persuasion” which is affectionately known on campus as the "Doing Uncomfortable Things That Make You a Better Person” course!

Topics

(3:04) Welcome and speed round.

(7:20) The Gator Brain vs The Judge Brain.

(13:10) Charisma isn’t something you are, it’s something you do.

(17:57) When are people open to being influenced by us?

(21:00) What is The Magic Question?

(26:04) How Zoe is using her influence.

(28:57) How does Zoe teach her students about their influence?

(36:04) How global warming got reframed into the climate crisis.

(40:05) Reframing the replication crisis.

(44:07) How Zoe uses music to create an inclusive, influential atmosphere.

(49:37) Grooving session recapping how we can use Zoe’s insights to wield our superpower of influence!

Do you know you have the power to influence other podcast listeners! If you enjoy Behavioral Grooves podcast, please leave us a quick review on your podcast platform. It really helps other listeners to find our content. You can also become a mega-fan by contributing to Behavioral Grooves through Patreon. Thanks!

Links

“Influence Is Your Superpower: The Science of Winning Hearts, Sparking Change, and Making Good Things Happen” by Zoe Chance: https://amzn.to/3EYKXOz

Zoe Chance: zoechance.com

Kopi Luwak coffee: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kopi_luwak

Black Ivory coffee: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Ivory_Coffee

Brit Marling (The OA): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brit_Marling

Eldar Shafir: https://psych.princeton.edu/person/eldar-shafir

“The Charisma Myth: How Anyone Can Master the Art and Science of Personal Magnetism” by Olivia Fox Chance: https://amzn.to/3HE93jp

Paisley Park: https://www.paisleypark.com/

350.org: https://350.org/

Jia Jong 100 Days of Rejection Challenge: https://www.rejectiontherapy.com/100-days-of-rejection-therapy

Frank Luntz: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Luntz

Brazilian billionaire Chiquinho Scarpa burying his Bentley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8GvaEPyX9Y&ab_channel=LeoBurnettTailorMadeBrazil

Musical Links

Prince “I Wanna Be Your Lover”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp8WL621uGM

Rasputin by Boney M: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16y1AkoZkmQ&ab_channel=BoneyMVEVO

Bella Ciao from Money Heist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46cXFUzR9XM&ab_channel=NetflixIndia

How Can Smart, Kind People Harness Their Influence? | Zoe Chance

Behavioral Grooves Podcast