“They just won’t listen. No matter how clearly I explain it, they refuse to see my side of things. It’s like talking to a brick wall." Have you ever felt like this, like you're hitting a dead end with someone who just won’t budge? Influencing people is an art, one that often requires more than just logic and facts, especially in today’s world where information has been turned into a kind of religion willing to anoint whoever can wield it more skillfully.  In today’s episode, we’ll revisit several past topics and connect the dots to reveal an alternative way to move the ball forward. Oftentimes, if we try to bull our way straight ahead, we’re met with the most resistance. In reality, an indirect route can be like finding a perfect gap in the defense—avoiding tackles and making the smoothest run toward the end zone. Topics Discussed: The necessity of understanding power dynamics and influence tactics How penetrating someone’s ring of influence can help your cause Coalition building and the true strength in numbers when voices align Invoking reciprocity and how deep-seated trust begins with giving I GET IT, NOW HOW DO I GET THIS TO WORK FOR ME? - Communication is something none of us will ever perfect, but how do you expect to get better if you don’t hold yourself accountable and do something to get better at it? We’d love for you to join us at one of our Apprenticeship workshops, where you’ll not only gain the knowledge and understanding you need to navigate the messy realities of relationships and leadership, but more importantly, you’ll get hands on experience working through your specific situation and gain the perspective of the AOC team and other individuals looking to improve themselves.  We just solidified two new dates for 2025! We’ll kick off the year on the East Coast in March and keep the ball rolling back in Phoenix in June. Keep an eye on our Live Event Schedule here, and if you have any questions, schedule a free discovery call. We also offer 1-On-1 Mentoring if you prefer a more personalized approach.  Either way, THIS IS WHAT WE DO and we want to help!  Reach out to us at [email protected] and a member of our team will be in touch. SPEAKER SCHOOL IS ALMOST HERE - Is there a message stuck in your head that you know needs to get out into the world?  Maybe you’d just like to get better in front of your coworkers at weekly staff meetings. Either way, Speaker School is the ideal place to get better in front of people, regardless of the situation.  This live 2 day experience not only gives you the knowledge you need to create a logical and clear presentation, but provides you with a safe environment to fail, filled with people who want you to succeed and who will give you the feedback and encouragement you need to improve.  Join us in Phoenix, AZ on October 12-13th!.  THIS IS OUR LAST CALL,  SECURE YOUR SPOT BEFORE IT CLOSES! Referenced Episodes: E202 | Why Facts And Logic Don't Change Our Minds - If you’re unfamiliar with influence tactics or need a refresher give this a listen! E240 | The 4 Styles Of Communication - At a baseline level you should understand the different components of communication. E178 | Kindra Hall: Choose Your Story, Change Your Life - Storytelling is the oldest form of communication. Learn to harness it for good. E152 | Michael Tucker: How Storytelling And Self-Awareness Shape Who We Become - Another phenomenal episode on storytelling if you want to deep dive on the subject. E85 | Why Won't They Listen To Me? Reasons Your Message Isn't Getting Across - If you’ve ever asked yourself this question in frustration, you’ll find answers here. We are so proud to be sponsored today by our longtime partner Momentous. Whether you’re a corporate executive who wants to feel better, a member of the military who needs to perform in the most extreme environments, or somewhere in between, Momentous has something FOR YOU!  We particularly love their unflavored whey protein, magnesium, and fish o