Make Your Pitch Perfect Branding: How to Read Minds

Wouldn't it be great if you had the power to read minds?

You don’t have to be a superhero to access your mind-reading ability. You may already have extraordinary powers, and you don’t even know it!

The best conversation always starts with what your listener is thinking.

And, if you take a moment, you can find out exactly what they are thinking, in two simple steps:

1. Observing: What is going on with your listener, your audience, your investor, your coworker — or even your boyfriend — right now? You don’t have to be a mentalist to tap into your powers of perception – perception, not unlike the elbow, chin or fingernail, is a characteristic that we all possess. Yet rarely do we use it to our advantage. We’re busy reading the last tweet, or wondering what’s for dinner, or who’s the dude that just got on the elevator. Distractions rob us of our super-powers.

Yet I can confirm that in brightest day or darkest night, you have the ability to see everything that’s going on around you.

What is the mood of your listener? See it. Acknowledge it. Start there.

The best conversation is often the most honest, so stop apologizing (Warning: VERY old video), beating around the bush, or saying “um” “uh” and “like“. Authenticity is what we all crave. Do you have the courage, and the ability, to slow down… and really see what’s really happening around you? Are you brave enough to stop looking at your phone and take a long hard look at the people in your life?

Use your innate super power – the power of observation – because your listener deserves it. If you want to get something accomplished, better start off with a solid and authentic connection. Start off by using your new-found power on your most important relationships – the ones that are (supposedly) so important to your family, causes and career. Sometimes, really seeing the person right next to you is the first step to becoming a hero in their eyes. (Think about it. Especially if you have kids!)

2. Recognizing: Everyone craves recognition. It’s a simple fact. Whether introverted or extroverted, we all want to be recognized. True, not all of us want to be put in the spotlight, but there is an innate human need to be recognized as human beings, having an intrinsic and important value. We all want to be seen for who we are – nothing more, nothing less – and seen for the contribution we make. Wouldn’t you agree? If you do, and you believe that recognition is important to all of us, why not spread it around? You don’t have to give a parade for your co-workers, shower your team mates with money or throw a party for your spouse. Luckily, recognition is much simpler than that. And sometimes the simplest solution is the most powerful.

Good openers come from a place that says, “I recognize you. I recognize your concerns.” And, if you wish to influence, persuade or create some sort of meaningful change...

“I could have exactly the solution that you need.”

Take the time to take in your surroundings, and honestly provide some sincere recognition – it’s the most powerful mind-reading trick ever invented, and you already know how to do it.