Why Better Questions Build Better Outcomes
Confidence Comes From Clarity Confidence is often treated like a personality trait. In reality, it behaves more like a state: it rises and falls with clarity, connection, and perceived control. This YESENTIALS® module focuses on a practical idea: asking meaningful questions is one of the fastest ways to build confidence in real time. Research […]
Visuals Reduce Cognitive Load and Improve Decisions
Seeing Is Understanding: The Power of Visuals The word “video” traces back to a root meaning both “to see” and “to understand.” That isn’t just language; it reflects how people process information in real life. Understanding often happens faster when someone can form a clear mental picture of what you mean. This matters because […]
8 Ways to Reset Your Brain
A list and a bookmark tool to light you up when it feels dark, lift you up when you feel down and let you be different today. Inspired by three people whose thinking has made a difference in my life: Harry Cohen, Dr Cohen taught me to “Be the Sun” and his 47-min audiobook has […]
The Power of We
Collaboration is one of the most powerful signals in human engagement. At its simplest, collaboration tells another person: you are not alone. That matters because the brain is wired for survival and saving energy. Being together reduces risk. Working together saves energy. When people feel supported, they are more likely to engage, participate, trust, and […]
Make It Simple to Start: How Small First Steps Build Momentum
Most plans don’t fail because people disagree. They fail because the starting point is unclear. When something feels large, complex, or risky, people hesitate. That hesitation is not always laziness. Often it is uncertainty: “Where do we start? What matters most? What is the first step?” This YESENTIALS® module is built around a practical reality: […]
Curiosity Is Care: Four Steps to Use It More Effectively
The root of the word curious is Latin: cura—meaning “to care.” When we show curiosity, we signal care. In a distracted world, curiosity is a powerful tool for building focus and connection. And neuroscience backs it up: when we ask questions, the brain releases dopamine, a chemical tied to learning and motivation. But it’s not […]
Context Changes Perception
CONTEXT Changes Perception What comes first changes how everything else is experienced. In behavioral science, this shows up as framing, anchoring, contrast effects, and reference points. Different language, same principle: People don’t evaluate things in isolation. They evaluate them in context. That means your price, your proposal, your timeline—even you—will always be compared to something. […]
Control Stress. Create a Space. Starting Different®.
We don’t control when stress shows up. We only control what we do next. That’s why reactions happen faster than reasoning In brain science terms, when you’re triggered, your limbic system takes over. This is the part of the brain responsible for emotional responses—especially fear, stress, and reactivity. The brain’s limbic system releases stress […]
It’s Brain Science: Participation drives performance
Participation Isn’t Performance Theater. It’s a Performance Trigger. People don’t want to be forced. But they do want to be part of something. The Latin root of the word participation means “to share in.” And sharing—especially early in a process—has a profound impact on human behavior. Science shows that when people write something down, their […]
For Your Situational Awareness: Why Loss Framing Gets to YES Faster
A fighter pilot friend of mine once sent me an email with a strange acronym at the heading: FYSA. It read: “FYSA—this video will expire soon.” I asked what FYSA meant. “For Your Situational Awareness,” he said. “It’s not pressure. It’s a heads up. Something’s coming, and I want you to be ready for it.” […]