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

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

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?'

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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).

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.

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

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

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

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

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

1. Choose a negotiation scenario (e.g., salary negotiation, buying a used car).

2. Round 1: Prepare for the negotiation based on 3 ASSUMPTIONS you hold about the other party (e.g., "They are desperate to sell."). Write these down. Conduct a 5-minute negotiation, sticking rigidly to your assumptions.

3. Round 2: Before negotiating again, create 3 HYPOTHESES about the other party (e.g., "They might be willing to negotiate on price if I offer a quick close."). Prepare questions to test these. Conduct another 5-minute negotiation, actively testing your hypotheses and adapting your approach based on their responses.

4. Reflect: Compare your experience in both rounds. Which approach felt more effective? Why?

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).

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

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.

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.

Prepare a short negotiation scenario (e.g., salary negotiation, buying/selling an item) with a partner.

During the negotiation, consciously introduce at least three pauses of 5-10 seconds each after key statements or questions from your partner.

Use these pauses to actively listen and observe your partner's non-verbal cues (body language, tone).

After each pause, verbally acknowledge your partner's statement before responding (e.g., "So, what I'm hearing is...").

After the negotiation, reflect on how the pauses impacted the flow of the conversation, your understanding of your partner's position, and the overall outcome.

Write a short (3-sentence) statement acknowledging the other party's frustration or concern regarding a fictitious issue (e.g., 'I understand you're upset about the project delay.')

Practice delivering this statement aloud using your normal speaking voice.

Practice delivering the same statement again, but this time use a deep, soft, slow, and downward-inflecting tone, as if you were a late-night FM DJ. Focus on sounding calm and reassuring.

Record both versions of the statement (normal and 'DJ voice') using your phone or computer.

Listen to both recordings and compare. Assess which version sounds more calming and in control.

Initiate a conversation with someone you don't know well (e.g., a barista, a cashier, or a person at a networking event).

Listen attentively to what the other person is saying.

Throughout the conversation, consciously repeat the last three words (or the critical few words) of their sentences as a way to encourage them to continue.

Pay attention to their body language, tone, and the amount of detail they provide after you mirror them. Note any changes.

Conclude the conversation naturally and make a note of your overall impression.

Identify three upcoming situations where someone might express strong emotions (e.g., family disagreement, team project discussion, customer service interaction).

For each situation, anticipate the potential emotions the person might express (e.g., frustration, anger, disappointment).

Plan a phrase you can use to label their emotion, such as "It sounds like you're feeling frustrated with..." or "I understand you're disappointed because...". Write these phrases down.

During each situation, actively listen to the person and, when appropriate, use your planned phrase to label their emotion.

Note the person's reaction after you labeled their emotion. Did their tone soften? Were they more receptive to discussion?