Why Flaws Make You More Likable | Richard Shotton

The Art of Charm

http://www.TheArtOfCharm.com

Business, Health & Fitness, Education

4.7 • 11K Ratings

🗓️ 27 October 2025

⏱️ 63 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

What makes people trust you faster, remember your message longer, and say “yes” more often? Behavioral science has the answers. In this episode, AJ and Johnny sit down with behavioral science expert and author Richard Shotton to break down the psychological tactics behind persuasion, trust, and influence that anyone—not just brands—can use. From the power of concrete language to the pratfall effect, messenger bias, social proof, and scarcity hacks, Richard explains why these timeless psychological triggers work just as well in networking and sales as they do in billion-dollar marketing campaigns. Whether you’re trying to stand out in a crowded room or get people to take action, these strategies are your edge. What to Listen For [00:00:00] Why ancient persuasion tactics still work today [00:00:53] Abstract vs. concrete language — why clarity wins [00:05:20] How Apple’s “1000 songs in your pocket” made history [00:09:59] Why simple language makes you seem smarter [00:12:21] The pratfall effect — why flaws make you more likable [00:14:42] How to use the messenger effect to boost credibility [00:21:16] Social proof done right (and why most people get it wrong) [00:30:56] Scarcity and the pumpkin spice effect — why limits drive desire [00:36:23] Zeigarnik effect — the open loop that holds attention [00:51:40] Distinctiveness and the Liquid Death effect [00:55:42] How breaking small conventions signals status [00:57:05] Why giving people control boosts persuasion A Word From Our Sponsors Stop being over looked and unlock your X-Factor today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠unlockyourxfactor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The very qualities that make you exceptional in your field are working against you socially. Visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠artofcharm.com/intel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for a social intelligence assessment and discover exactly what's holding you back. Indulge in affordable luxury with Quince. Upgrade your wardrobe today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠quince.com/charm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping and hassle-free returns. Grow your way - with Headway! Get started at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠makeheadway.com/CHARM ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and use my code CHARM for 25% off. Ready to turn your business idea into reality? Sign up for your $1/month trial at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shopify.com/charm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Need to hire top talent—fast? Claim your $75 Sponsored Job Credit now at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Indeed.com/charm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. This year, skip breaking a sweat AND breaking the bank. Get your summer savings and shop premium wireless plans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/charm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Save more than fifty percent on term life insurance at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SELECTQUOTE.COM/CHARM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TODAY to get started Curious about your influence level? Get your Influence Index Score today! Take this 60-second quiz to find out how your influence stacks up against top performers at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theartofcharm.com/influence⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Episode resources: Hacking the Human Mind: The behavioral science secrets Richard Shotton: Behavioural Science Check in with AJ and Johnny! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AJ on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Johnny on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AJ on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Johnny on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Charm on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Charm on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Charm on TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	The tactics that have worked through history are still very relevant today.
0:05.2	Admit a flaw, you'll become more trustworthy.
0:07.5	Gets a neutral person to shout your benefits.
0:10.1	You'll be more trustworthy.
0:11.3	Speak in precise terms.
0:13.5	Some of these tactics still work, but arguably, yes, in a low trust environment, they become more powerful.
0:30.3	All right, let's kick off today's show.
0:35.4	Today we're talking with Richard Schotton, behavioral science expert and author of Hacking the Human Mind.
0:38.2	Richard spent over two decades applying psychological research to marketing campaigns for major brands like Google, Facebook, and Nestle. But these
0:43.5	same principles that move millions of consumers can actually be used by anyone to advance their
0:48.4	career, win over clients, and just become more memorable in networking situations. Today, Richard
0:53.7	shares why abstractness
0:55.5	kills your first impression, how admitting weakness makes you more memorable, the scarcity hack
1:01.4	for your calendar link, and why distinctive details make you unforgettable. Welcome to the show,
1:06.9	Richard. Great to have you. Oh, it's a pleasure to be here. I'd love to hear a little bit about your
1:12.0	personal journey into using behavioral science in marketing. Often with interests, people generally just
1:20.4	drift into them. But for me, there was a very specific moment when I became interested in psychology.
1:26.1	So in Britain, back in about 2004, I was working a marketing
1:31.0	agency and we're advising the government health department on how to get people to give blood.
1:36.7	So in Britain, there's no cash payments. It's all through altruism. And I happen to be reading
1:43.4	the tipping point. Do you remember that, the Malcolm Gladwell
1:46.1	book? Oh yeah. And almost in one of his little asides, he mentions this 1960s psychology
	...

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