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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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How Highly Effective People Speak summary
Peter Andrei
How High Performers Use Psychology to Influence With Ease
16 mins
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How Highly Effective People Speak
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The availability bias
Imagine two people are asked, “How likely are shark attacks?” Instantly, both minds quickly scan their archives for any relevant stored data to inform their response.
The first, remembering a particularly horrific incident they once saw in the news, answers, “Very likely.” The other, not coming across any relevant stored data, responds, “Not at all.” Objectively, the official statistic will rule one more correct than the other – but subjectively, both will believe their memories have steered them correctly.
You see, we vastly overweigh the significance of information we can easily recall. This is called the availability bias.
The availability bias means that even if we’ve encountered an objective statistic on a subject, it will do us little good if we can’t recollect it quickly. Instead, our brains jump to a single – and therefore, inherently limited – example, most likely a vivid or compelling anecdote.
So, what does this mean for effective communication?
You can tap into the power of the availability bias by making your message memorable. Of course, it’s always good to have facts to support your statements but if you want them to have influence, they need to be easily retrievable from the archives of your audience’s minds.
A simple yet potent way to do this is to package information as visual and emotionally arousing stories.
Stories have several key elements, but the main ones to focus on are characters and drama. If you can frame your communication in terms of a protagonist – or “good guy” – versus antagonist – or “bad guy” – do it. People are adept at imagining and understanding this dynamic. Similarly, emphasize the natural conflict in your message where possible. Even as far back as Aristotle, pathos – the emotional charge of a message – has been recognized as one of three essential ingredients in effective rhetoric.
To tie this back to the original example, if you want to make the case that shark attacks are frequent and threatening, communicating a single anecdote in the form of a visual, “emotionally-charged man vs. shark” narrative is significantly more persuasive than presenting a statistic smorgasbord. For better or worse, the availability bias means accessibility often beats accuracy.
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What is How Highly Effective People Speak about?
How Highly Effective People Speak (2021) is a practical guide to increasing influence through speech. It posits that information should be conveyed as humans are wired to receive it. So an understanding of behavioral economics is essential. By dissecting the personal anecdotes and historical examples shared, you’ll learn the theories and tactics to make your own communication highly effective.
How Highly Effective People Speak Review
How Highly Effective People Speak (2022) by Peter Andrei gives valuable insights into the art of effective communication and why it matters in personal and professional relationships. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It provides practical techniques and strategies to improve our speaking skills, empowering us to express ourselves confidently and convincingly.
- The book explores the psychology behind effective communication, helping us understand the impact of our words and how to effectively convey our message.
- With its engaging examples and relatable stories, the book captures our attention and keeps us engaged throughout, making it anything but boring.
Who should read How Highly Effective People Speak?
- Anyone wanting to improve their public speaking skills
- Individuals with a vision they wish to communicate more compellingly
- Public-facing business leaders and employees
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How Highly Effective People Speak FAQs
What is the main message of How Highly Effective People Speak?
Learn the secrets of effective communication in How Highly Effective People Speak.
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Is How Highly Effective People Speak a good book? Is it worth reading?
How Highly Effective People Speak is worth reading as it provides valuable insights and techniques for effective communication.
Who is the author of How Highly Effective People Speak?
The author of How Highly Effective People Speak is Peter Andrei.
What to read after How Highly Effective People Speak?
If you're wondering what to read next after How Highly Effective People Speak, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- How to Know a Person by David Brooks
- The Art of Clear Thinking by Hasard Lee
- Million Dollar Habits by Brian Tracy
- The Art of Influence by Chris Widener
- Read People Like a Book by Patrick King
- Unfu*k Yourself by Gary John Bishop
- Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss
- Pillars of Wealth by David M. Greene
- Surrounded by Narcissists by Thomas Erikson
- How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie