Increase Power and Influence
Have you ever needed help with something, for example, while traveling, and assumed the helper would not be skilled enough to meet your needs?
Have you ever been surprised when they are much more helpful than you imagined?
How did they convince you they would be helpful?
I’ve been working on being more aware of my biases and have been amused by situations when I assume someone doesn’t have a skillset and then it turns out that they do.
As a short female, many people underestimate my skillset. It's annoying and often provides the opportunity to gain additional information about the person when they realize their mistake. In many professional situations, however, we benefit more by communicating our expertise in powerful ways early in our interactions.
In Oren Klaff’s, Flip the Script, he calls the method for showing your expertise quickly a Flash Roll. It’s about 250 words delivered in sixty to ninety seconds.
A classic example can be seen in the movie, My Cousin Vinny when the prosecutor is questioning an auto mechanics expert played by Marisa Tomei. Tomei is wearing a tight dress and a lot of makeup.
The prosecutor asks, “…what would the correct ignition timing be on a 1955 Bel Air Chevrolet with a 327 cubic-inch engine and a four-barrel carburetor?” After Tomei’s character responds that it’s impossible to answer and the prosecutor tries to disqualify her, she establishes herself quickly as an expert with the following.
From IMDB
Judge: Why is it a trick question?
…Auto mechanics expert: 'Cause Chevy didn't make a 327 in '55, the 327 didn't come out till '62. And it wasn't offered in the Bel Air with a four-barrel carb till '64. However, in 1964, the correct ignition timing would be four degrees before top-dead-center.
Prosecutor: Well... um... she's acceptable, Your Honor.
Do you have a sixty to ninety-second pitch that convinces others you are the expert and they need your help? When asked what you do, do you have a clear response?
Our next live session will focus on creating pitches you can use with your stakeholders to gain power and influence. Join us on Tuesday, Jun 6 at 11 am PT/2 pm ET (if you are not already registered, register here).
