🛠️ Projects

THE NEW RULES

5 projects related to this chapter's concepts

Calibrated Coffee Negotiation

30 mins (including travel and execution)

Secure a free coffee upgrade or discount by using calibrated questions in a real-world scenario.

Steps

1

Identify a local coffee shop where you're a somewhat regular customer.

2

When ordering, mention you're considering a more expensive drink (e.g., a latte instead of a regular coffee).

3

Instead of directly asking for a discount, use calibrated questions: 'What would be the best way to justify the extra cost today?' or 'What do you recommend I try that provides good value?'

4

Listen carefully to the barista's response and adapt your next question based on their answer. Try to subtly steer the conversation toward a potential discount or a free add-on.

5

Document the conversation immediately after, noting which questions you used and the barista's reactions.

Success Criteria

Did I ask at least two calibrated questions during the coffee ordering process with the goal of securing a discount or upgrade?

Related concept:Calibrated Questions

Persuasion Challenge: Emotional Ad vs. Logical Ad

2 hours (including prep and participant sessions)

To observe how System 1 (emotional) and System 2 (logical) thinking influence ad effectiveness.

Steps

1

Choose a common product (e.g., coffee, shoes, phone).

2

Create two short ad scripts for the product: one that heavily relies on emotional appeals (joy, fear, excitement) and another on logical appeals (price, features, stats). Each script should be 30-60 seconds long.

3

Recruit 3-5 participants. Randomly assign them to hear either the emotional ad first or the logical ad first. Then play the second ad for them after a brief pause.

4

Immediately after each ad, ask participants to rate on a scale of 1-5 (1=not at all, 5=very much) how much they 'liked' the ad and how likely they would be to 'purchase' the product.

5

Record the results, compare the ratings for each ad type. Note any observable reactions or comments after hearing each ad. Look for a pattern where the first ad shapes the response to the second.

Success Criteria

Did I create and test both types of ads with at least three participants and record their ratings?

Related concept:System 1 & System 2 Thinking

Mirror & Label: Tactical Empathy in Action

5-10 minutes

Successfully apply mirroring and labeling techniques in a brief conversation to de-escalate a potentially tense situation.

Steps

1

Identify a low-stakes situation where someone expresses frustration or disagreement (e.g., a colleague complaining about a project deadline).

2

Actively listen to the person for 2-3 minutes without interrupting or offering solutions.

3

Mirror their body language and tone subtly. If they are leaning forward, slightly lean forward yourself. If their tone is frustrated, reflect a similar tone (without exaggerating).

4

Use labels to identify their emotions (e.g., "It sounds like you're really frustrated with this deadline," or "Are you feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work?"). Wait for confirmation.

5

Observe their reaction. Note if they become less agitated or more receptive.

Success Criteria

The person I interacted with visibly relaxed (e.g., softened their tone, changed their posture, or explicitly acknowledged feeling understood) after I used mirroring and labeling.

Related concept:Tactical Empathy

The Coffee Mug Challenge

15 mins

Observe loss aversion in action when offering and then reclaiming a coffee mug.

Steps

1

1. Find a volunteer (friend, family member, or colleague).

2

2. Offer the volunteer a coffee mug (or similar item) as a gift. Make it clear it's now theirs.

3

3. After a few minutes, ask if you can have the mug back. Offer them a small sum of money (e.g., $1) in return.

4

4. Record their reaction: Do they seem reluctant to give it back? Do they ask for more money than you offered?

5

5. Reflect: Did they exhibit loss aversion? How strong was their reaction?

Success Criteria

I successfully offered the mug, asked for it back, and recorded the volunteer's reaction.

Related concept:Loss Aversion

The Active Listener's Notebook

15 minutes

To demonstrate active listening by summarizing a conversation partner's perspective accurately and empathetically.

Steps

1

Choose a partner and ask them a question about a topic they are passionate about (e.g., their favorite hobby, a current project, or a cause they support).

2

Listen attentively to your partner for 5 minutes, focusing solely on understanding their perspective. Avoid interrupting or formulating your response.

3

After 5 minutes, summarize your partner's perspective in your own words in a notebook, aiming for accuracy and empathy. Include their main points and the emotions they conveyed.

4

Ask your partner if your summary accurately reflects their perspective. If not, ask clarifying questions and revise your summary until they agree it is accurate.

Success Criteria

Partner confirms that the written summary accurately and empathetically reflects their perspective.

Related concept:Active Listening