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INSIGHTFUL THOUGHTS

1. How to Win Someone’s Respect (the “Ben Franklin Effect”)

I shared this anecdote before but thought I’d reshare it because this technique actually worked for me recently.

A few months ago, I was reading through a book called “Yes! 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive” and came across this story about Benjamin Franklin (highlights in the book images below are mine).

This persuasive technique is known as the Ben Franklin effect.

It suggests that people will like someone more after doing them a favor.

The takeaway

As a leader, use the Ben Franklin effect to approach a team member with whom you've had friction by asking for their input on a project or requesting their help with a minor task.

By showing respect for their expertise and valuing their contribution, you can help transform them from a resistant colleague into a supportive ally.

THE ONE THING

2. Four Questions That Reveal Exactly What Your Team is Thinking

Ever asked your team, “What do you really think about this?” and received blank stares or polite (but unhelpful) feedback?

Here's a secret: Your team members probably aren’t telling you what they're really thinking.

Not because they're dishonest, but because you haven't given them the right invitation to open up.

Instead, try these four powerful questions to unlock honest, insightful feedback:

1. "What would it take for you to love this?"
   (Encourages positivity and specific suggestions.)

2. "How do you think I can make this better?"
   (Signals openness and genuine interest in their input.)

3. "What would it take for you to be really excited about this?"
   (Pushes beyond surface-level thoughts to genuine enthusiasm.)

4. "What would you do differently?"
   (Empowers honest critique by putting them in a leadership mindset.)

Try these and watch how quickly conversations go from surface-level politeness to real insights.

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WORDS I LIKE

4. On Why You Should Make Faster Decisions

THE 80/20

5. An 80/20 Tip You Can Apply Today

Here’s a low-effort, high-impact tip you can use with your team today:

• What: Encourage social interactions within your remote team (some leaders avoid this, but it’s important)

• Why: This will help you create a “virtual water cooler” effect to increase likeability and cohesion among your team members (which ultimately results in an increase in productivity)

• Example: Spend the first 5 minutes of your standing meetings discussing topics unrelated to work. One idea is to rotate having a team member share 2 pictures about their loved ones, hobbies, or vacation plans right before the meeting starts.