Who is the author of Mindstuck?

The author of Mindstuck is Michael McQueen.

Communication Skills

Mindstuck Book Summary - Mindstuck Book explained in key points

Listen to the Intro

00:00

Mindstuck summary

Name: Mindstuck
Rating: 4.6 (309 reviews)
Author: Michael McQueen

Michael McQueen

Mastering the Art of Changing Minds

4.6 (309 ratings)

17 mins

Topics

The Brain Persuasion

Table of Contents

Mindstuck
Summary of 6 key ideas

Audio & text in the Blinkist app

Key idea 1 of 6

What’s in it for me? Become a master persuader.

Ever tried convincing a mule to dance? You might have better luck than trying to change a stubborn mind!

Now, the thing about stubbornness is that it’s not actually about being dense. It’s about being stuck in mental quicksand. People are just naturally champions at defending their battlements, refusing to let the drawbridge down for new ideas. That’s the human mind for you.

This is where persuasion comes in. Nailing the art of persuasion is a game-changer for both your career and personal life. Believe it or not, a whopping 40 percent of people’s work lives are spent in a tug-of-war, trying to pull others over to their side. And guess what? The old tricks of coercion, incentives, and even bulletproof logic often crash and burn against the fortress of stubbornness. Why? Because they miss the mark on how our quirky brains tick.

But don’t despair! There’s a silver lining. Just as horse whisperers can get the most stubborn stallions to prance, there’s a way to turn the most rigid of opinions into putty – without any fireworks. This Blink will tell you exactly how.

The psychology behind stubborn minds

Changing someone’s mind will often feel like trying to push a boulder uphill. That’s because our brains are wired in a pretty stubborn way. There are two sides of the brain duking it out: the Inquiring Mind, which loves to think things through logically, and the Instinctive Mind, which is all about those snap judgments based on emotions and gut feelings. And guess what? That instinctive side is running the show 95% of the time. So, a lot of what you do is more about feeling than thinking.

Now, when you’re dead set on something, it’s usually your instincts taking the wheel, not your logic. And there are three big reasons why you cling to your beliefs like a lifeline, which are your identity, ideology, and intuition. Your identity makes you favor ideas from your “tribe” and reject anything from the outsiders. Your ideology filters out anything that doesn’t fit your worldview. And your intuition often trumps facts.

So, when you’re trying to get someone to see things your way, their brain is asking, “Is this going to mess with who I am, what I believe, or what feels right to me?” If you want to get through to them, the first step is to recognize where they’re coming from and navigate those tricky emotional questions. The second step is assembling your arsenal of persuasive techniques, which consists of five key components we’ll be tackling in the next sections.

Technique number one: Reframing

Why does spending $100 feel like a sacrifice at the grocery store but a celebration at a fancy restaurant? It’s all about reframing, the art of painting the same situation in a new, more palatable light to shake up even the most stubborn of opinions.

There are three slick ways you can use reframing to change people’s frame of reference or point of view.

Technique number two: Building affinity

Harvard researcher Alison Wood Brooks decided to dive into an interesting question: Does moaning to a stranger about something banal like rain make them more inclined to lend you their phone? She cooked up a little test where one participant went to a stranger and immediately asked to use their phone, while another kicked things off with a nod to the rainy day blues. Tossing in a simple “I’m so sorry about the rain” before asking for the phone shot up the acceptance rate by a whopping 422 percent. Turns out, just bringing up the rain can spark a bit of a bond. This is what we call building affinity.

At the heart of it, building affinity is all about crafting a real connection where people feel they get you, like you, and see a bit of themselves in you. Often, it’s those tiny hints of being in something together that flip the script on how people interact, feel, and act around each other.

Technique number three: Preserving the other’s dignity

Telling someone they’re wrong about something often feels like telling a cat to get off the counter. They just stare at you and proceed to knock over your glass. This might be a funny way to think about it, but it also highlights a key point in persuasion: Pushing too hard against someone’s beliefs can lead to stubborn resistance rather than a change of heart. To win someone over, it’s all about letting them save face and preserving their dignity.

Fear is the big bad wolf when it comes to someone’s dignity. It’s not the change itself that freaks people out, but what comes with it – loss of pride, power, or the comfort of certainty. To get past this, you’ve got to make the other person feel safe and understood. Ever heard of the “feel/felt/found” technique? You acknowledge how they’re feeling, share that you’ve been there too, and then gently introduce how you shifted your perspective. And remember, any new idea you’re proposing should feel like a cozy sweater, not a scratchy woolen blanket. Familiarity and predictability are your allies, not your enemies.

Technique number four: Harnessing the power of conformity

Ever found yourself adopting habits or opinions just because they’re popular within your group? That’s your brain’s doing, pushing you to fit in because, frankly, it craves belonging like oxygen. You’re basically programmed to tweak your behavior to align with the crowd. And it’s this very tribal instinct that you can tap into to sway others. It’s how you harness the power of conformity.

There’s three main ways you can harness the power of conformity to persuade.

Technique number five: Employing empathy

You’ve been there, right? Trying to get a friend to try sushi when they’re really not into it. It feels like mission impossible. But picture this: If you could see sushi through their skeptical eyes, you’d probably know exactly what roll would pass through their defenses. This is the essence of empathy – slipping into your friend’s mindset, and really getting where they’re coming from. That way, when you make your point, it lands just right.

One way to employ empathy is to humanize issues and principles. Bringing a human touch to big ideas and issues can truly work wonders. When you make it personal, your arguments gain weight and become much harder to brush off. Instead of talking about a crowd, zoom in on one person’s story. Facts and figures might catch attention, but it’s the individual tales that really stick, changing hearts and minds. To weave that magic, dive into personal stories, the emotions, the faces behind the facts, and the tactile experiences that stir empathy within people.

Want to see all full key ideas from Mindstuck?

Key ideas in Mindstuck

More knowledge in less time

Read or listen

Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.

Find your next read

Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.

Shortcasts ^New

We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

What is Mindstuck about?

Mindstuck (2023) explores the intricacies of human decision-making and persuasion. It offers a deep dive into how and why people change their minds, providing you with actionable strategies to influence others effectively.

Mindstuck Review

Mindstuck by Michael McQueen (2021) sheds light on the challenges of adapting to rapid changes in society and technology, offering insights on how to thrive in the face of uncertainty. Here's what sets this book apart:

Explores the psychological impacts of rapid change on individuals and society, helping readers understand and navigate these shifts effectively.
Provides practical strategies and solutions for overcoming personal and professional stagnation in an ever-evolving world.
Engages readers with a compelling narrative that combines research with real-life examples, making the content both informative and relatable.

Who should read Mindstuck?

Professionals seeking to enhance persuasion and communication skills.
Leaders aiming to influence organizational culture and change.
Innovators interested in understanding people’s decision-making processes.

About the Author

Michael McQueen is a renowned author and speaker, recognized for his insights into trends, innovation, and generational change. Among his accomplishments, McQueen has authored several books, including The New Rules of Engagement and How to Prepare for What's Next, and was previously awarded the title of Australia's Keynote Speaker of the Year. He is also regularly featured on TV and radio.

Categories with Mindstuck

Communication Skills Psychology Motivation & Inspiration Personal Development

Book summaries like Mindstuck

Why We Remember

Charan Ranganath

Unlocking Memory's Power to Hold on to What Matters

Your Guide to Superior Management Effectiveness

In Search of a Fundamental Theory

How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection

18 min

4.0

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Olivia Telford

Simple Techniques to Instantly Be Happier, Find Inner Peace, and Improve Your Life

23 min

4.5

Competing in the New World of Work

Keith Ferrazzi

How Radical Adaptability Separates the Best From the Rest

4 min

3.4

Good Leaders Ask Great Questions

John C. Maxwell

Your Foundation for Successful Leadership

A History from Socrates to Social Media

27 min

4.4

Walmart

Natalie Berg and Bryan Roberts

Key Insights and Practical Lessons from the World's Largest Retailer

The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth

How We Survive (and Thrive) in an Age of Conflict

Unleash the Power of Your Microbiome to Reverse Disease and Transform Your Mental, Physical, and Emotional Health

Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People

20 min

4.5

I Didn't Know I Needed This

Eli Rallo

The New Rules for Flirting, Feeling, and Finding Yourself

16 min

4.1

The First Rule of Mastery

Michael Gervais

Stop Worrying about What People Think of You

A Quest for Identity and Purpose

Yamamoto Tsunetomo & Alexander Bennett

The Secret Wisdom of the Samurai

How the Psychology of Sports Can Enhance your Performance in Management and Work

Using Nature's Playbook to Spark Energy, Ideas, and Action

18 min

3.9

Emotional Intelligence

How Algorithms Flattened Culture

16 min

4.2

Learned Excellence

Eric Potterat & Alan Eagle

Mental Disciplines for Leading and Winning from the World's Top Performers

16 min

4.4

Raising Mentally Strong Kids

Amen MD Daniel G. & Charles Fay

How to Combine the Power of Neuroscience with Love and Logic to Grow Confident, Kind, Responsible, and Resilient Children and Young Adults

Discover Your Unique Imprint for Work That Makes You Come Alive

How to Feel Alive Again in a World That Wears Us Down

Overcome Procrastination & Improve Your Productivity

Life without Free Will

The Art, Science, and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being

An examination of the amoral game and techniques of seducers

21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time

13 min

4.4

Think Remarkable

Guy Kawasaki & Madisun Nuismer

9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference

7 Steps to Living Your Best Life

13 min

4.1

13 Things Mentally Strong Couples Don't Do

Amy Morin

Healthy Habits for Love's Longevity

A Short Guide to Remove Distractions and Get Your Brain to Do Hard Things

How to Think and Act Like the Most Successful and Highest-Paid People in Every Field

28 min

4.2

How to Make a Few Billion Dollars

Brad Jacobs

The Billionaire Blueprint Revealed

7 min

3.5

The Power of Going All-In

Brandon Bornancin

Secrets for Success in Business, Leadership, and Life

The Psychology of Persuasion

33 min

4.5

Don't Believe Everything You Think

Joseph Nguyen

Why Your Thinking is the Beginning & End of Suffering

17 min

4.6

Switch

Chip Heath & Dan Heath

How to Change Things When Change Is Hard

Living the Ten Principles of Stoicism

18 min

4.5

Uncommon Service

Frances Frei & Anne Morriss

How to Win by Putting Customers at the Core of Your Business

Persuading Others Begins With You

An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

25 min

4.6

Attached

Amir Levine and Rachel S. F. Heller

The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find – and Keep – Love

A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide for Everyone Who Cares About Words

Inside Crypto's Wild Rise and Staggering Fall

Discover Your Chronotype – and the Best Time to Eat Lunch, Ask for a Raise, Have Sex, Write a Novel, Take Your Meds, and More

Discover Cultural Divide in Colonial India

13 min

3.8

People ❤️ Blinkist

Sven O.

It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

Thi Viet Quynh N.

Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

Jonathan A.

Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

Renee D.

Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.