Patrick van der Burght, Unlocking the Power of 'Yes' with the Proven Science of Ethical Influence - Innova.Buzz 688

Our guest in this episode is Patrick van der Burght, one of the world's leading experts in the science of ethical persuasion. After a challenging start as a sales rep for a product with a terrible reputation, Patrick discovered the powerful work of Dr. Robert Cialdini, using its principles to turn that product into a market leader. He now dedicates his work to teaching business owners a proven framework for building stronger connections and achieving their most important outcomes with complete integrity.In our fascinating chat, we explored the science of human decision-making and the critical difference between honest influence and dishonest manipulation. Key points discussed include:* Ethical persuasion builds long-term success; manipulation is a short-term win that ultimately leads to disaster.* True influence comes from highlighting genuine facts, not inventing falsehoods to create artificial pressure.* Understanding the seven universal principles of persuasion helps you build genuine trust and guide decisions ethically.Listen to the podcast to find out more.Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Show Notes from this episode with Patrick van der BurghtIt was an absolute honour to welcome Patrick van der Burght, one of the world's leading experts in the science of ethical persuasion, to the InnovaBuzz podcast. As business owners, we pour so much of ourselves into our work, yet often feel like we're guessing when it comes to getting the cooperation and compliance we need to succeed. Patrick pulled back the curtain on this exact challenge, revealing that influence isn't an art form reserved for a select few; it's a science that any of us can learn to apply, ethically and effectively.Our conversation illuminated a powerful truth: you can significantly increase the number of "yeses" you receive without twisting arms or compromising your integrity. It’s about understanding the psychology of human decision-making and learning how to formulate your requests in a way that makes it easier for people to agree. Patrick’s passion for this topic is infectious, born from a deep-seated compassion for hardworking entrepreneurs who are leaving success on the table simply because they don’t yet know this proven framework.The Dry Suit Epiphany: From Being Laughed At to Market LeaderI was fascinated by Patrick's own origin story in persuasion science. As a young sales rep in the scuba diving industry, he took on a brand of dry suits that had a disastrous reputation; the year before, they had all leaked. When he presented the new, improved product to his retailers, they literally laughed at him. He had a great product, but a total lack of trust in the market. It was a classic business nightmare.Facing this challenge, he dove into the work of Dr. Robert Cialdini and began applying the universal principles of persuasion. By strategically and ethically bringing the right facts to the surface, he was able to rebuild trust and reframe the conversation. The result? In just 18 months, that once-mocked dry suit became the market leader. That experience converted Patrick for life, proving that this science had the power to turn even the most difficult situations around.Walking the Ethical Tightrope: Persuasion vs. ManipulationPatrick was crystal clear on a point that I know concerns many of us: the fine line between ethical persuasion and outright manipulation. He offered a brilliant litmus test. Unethical persuasion, like the shoe salesperson lying about having the "last pair," involves importing falsehoods into a situation to pressure a decision. It might create a short-term win, but it inevitably leads to long-term disaster once the deceit is discovered.Ethical persuasion, on the other hand, is about bringing naturally occurring truths to the surface. If the TV you want truly is the last one in stock, you as the customer want to be told that information to make an informed choice. The key is honesty. Ethical influence is not about creating false scarcity or pressure; it's about highlighting genuine facts that help someone make a better, easier decision that serves their own interests.The Three 'Cancers' of Unethical InfluenceGoing a step further, Patrick shared the devastating long-term costs of fostering a dishonest culture, which he powerfully described as "three cancers." The first is the stress it places on employees, most of whom dislike being asked to lie, leading to more sick days. The second is a much higher staff turnover, as good people will seek employment elsewhere, creating a huge cost in hiring and training.The third cancer is perhaps the most insidious: the only people who don't mind being unethical are, well, unethical people. These are not the employees you want, as their dishonesty won't be limited to your customers; it will extend to side deals and stealing office supplies. Patrick’s point is stark ...