Entries by Brian Ahearn, CMCT®

Navigating the High Seas of Behavior Change

Bringing about change doesn’t have to be as hard as we sometimes make it, if we become good sailors and learn the right influence skills.  Robert Cialdini, affectionately known to many as the Godfather of influence, can be your ship captain to help you navigate the high seas, making your influence attempts more successful more […]

They Thought We Were Ridiculous

Have you ever caught yourself doing something that, upon reflection, seemed a bit out of the ordinary? Maybe you’ve made a purchase just because it was the last item on the shelf, or perhaps you started saving more for retirement without fully understanding why. Well, you’re not alone, and there’s a fascinating explanation behind these […]

A Homecoming of Sorts

Last week was a bit surreal as I had a homecoming of sorts. I spent the bulk of my insurance career, 28 and a half years, with State Auto Insurance (a Liberty Mutual company since 2021). After nearly four years with The Travelers, I walked into State Auto in May 1990. The final time I […]

Why Did I Go Upstairs?

Last week, while at home juggling several work tasks, I noticed my MacBook Pro prompting me to run an overdue update. Pausing my work, I initiated the update. This moment of maintenance sparked a thought about my other computer, a MacBook Air, stationed in my video studio for live presentations. Suspecting it needed the same […]

When You’re Wrong, Admit It, Own It, Fix It

In How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie shared some time-tested wisdom, “If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.” But when we shift from personal interactions to the complexity that comes with business relations, Carnegie’s advice, while foundational, is only the starting point. Imagine you’re at your favorite restaurant. You’ve been […]

What’s a Few Billion or Trillion Dollars?

What’s a few billion, or trillion, dollars between friends, businesses, or countries? Billions and trillions of dollars are numbers we hear quite often in the media. A few notable examples include: In 2016 the U.S. sent $400 billion to Iran in the nuclear deal.  Our government bailed out banks to the tune of $700 billion […]

Want to Remove All Questions about Manipulation? Here’s the Key…

As I scan social media, I’ve noticed an increase in discussions about the fine line separating influence and persuasion from manipulation. This is an important topic, especially considering the intent and ethics in our communications. As one of the few Cialdini Certified trainers globally, and an advocate for ethical influence, I’ve always emphasized creating mutually […]

A Question I Couldn’t Answer…Immediately

I want to share an insight that dawned on me recently – one that’s a bit of a personal revelation and a professional one too. It’s about the essence of influence. True confession – I used to hate Q&A. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been comfortable speaking in front of a […]