Modern Mentor How to change someone's mind: Persuasion for human-centric leaders
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Apr 28, 2026 The episode explores why data and logic often fail to persuade and what to do instead. It walks through a real product dilemma about sunsetting low-value offerings. Listeners hear how to uncover others' needs, reframe arguments to align with goals, and make trade-offs clear. The importance of building coalitions and winning with incremental steps is highlighted.
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Kids Used A Presentation To Change A Mind
- Rachel Cooke's kids used a PowerPoint to persuade her to get a dog.
- They framed benefits for Rachel (shared responsibility, exercise), which led to Ruthie Rose arriving despite Rachel not being a dog person.
Understanding Beats Stronger Arguments
- Changing someone's mind rarely depends on the strength of your data and logic alone.
- Persuasion depends more on how well you understand the other person's needs and perspective.
Cam's Product Team Was Drowning
- Rachel describes coaching a senior director, Cam, whose product team is overwhelmed by supporting too many products.
- Cam believes sunsetting low-value products will free capacity, but the GM resists keeping the full catalogue.