Episode 131 - Make Me Great! with Dr. Thomas Trautmann, Ph.D

neuroscientist, former CMO, and author of Make Me Great, for an engaging conversation that redefines productivity from the inside out. Thomas shares his unconventional journey from artificial intelligence and neuroscience into marketing, leadership, and ethical persuasion, revealing how his early work in neuromarketing delivered results but ultimately felt incomplete without a human-centered approach. At the heart of the conversation is one powerful insight: when someone is making a decision, their brain is silently asking, "Make me great." Thomas explains how primal, subconscious forces drive our choices long before logic kicks in, and why people rationalize decisions only after they've already been made. He breaks down concepts like silent listening, subconscious frustration, and why talking about features, products, or credentials too early actually pushes people away. You'll also hear memorable real-world examples showing how simply paying attention, asking better questions, and listening without interruption can instantly change outcomes in business and in everyday life. The discussion expands into purpose, personal "why," and how building tribes around shared values accelerates productivity while reducing wasted effort. This episode is a powerful reminder that productivity isn't just about systems and structure. It's about empathy, intention, and making others feel seen, heard, and valued. What We Discuss [00:00] Introduction to Dr. Thomas Trautmann [06:32] Discovery of neuromarketing and business growth [10:23] The power of positioning and system 1 thinking [14:19] Silent listening and active engagement [16:13] Habits for unforgettable work and the 11-second rule [17:06] Understanding the primal brain and decision-making [21:10] The importance of "why" in productivity [23:16] Personal story: the power of revisiting your why [24:40] Client success story using "Make Me Great" [26:18] The gift of listening and neurochemistry [29:07] Team alignment, purpose, and the tribe concept [31:43] Actionable productivity tool: the "you" language [32:58] Where to learn more about Dr. Trautmann [33:45] Podcast closing and call for reviews Notable Quotes [09:14] "I noticed that neuromarketing was lacking humanity. Even though we are targeting the brain, we are lacking humanity." – Thomas Trautmann [09:52] "When you want a decision from someone, that person's brain is shouting at you, 'Make me great.'" – Thomas Trautmann [14:44] "Active listening is okay, but silent listening is silence. Listen. Write down. Ask questions to clarify. But get that thing up there in your head to shut up." – Thomas Trautmann [17:11] "We make primal decisions that we rationalize afterwards." – Thomas Trautmann [32:22] "If you look at my LinkedIn profile, it's all about you, you, you. Try to use the 'you' language. It's a super powerful tool." – Thomas Trautmann [27:43] " When I smile, when I do the, you know, the nice smile with the little les here, which is called the Duchenne smile, by the way, I get a shoot of endorphin in my brain." – Thomas Trautmann [32:17] "When you start something with someone, use the new language. Try to use 'you, you, you.' It's a super powerful tool. It's the first step to get them to say, 'He cares about me"– Thomas Trautmann Resources Dr. Thomas Trautmann Website: make-me-great.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thomastrautmann Book – Make Me Great Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds