Give and Take in 2016!

A few weeks ago my husband and I received an adorable, yet mysterious Christmas card. It was signed by a woman neither one of us can remember ever meeting. “So”, my husband said as I placed the card on the bookshelf with all of the others, “Do you think we are subjects in a modern version of that experiment you wrote about?”

He was refereeing to a section of an article I’d published earlier in the year about the notion of reciprocity as an influencing technique.

A Christmas Experiment

Here’s the story: In 1974, Phillip Kunz, a sociologist at Brigham Young University received hundreds of beautiful Christmas cards. Some folks sent him pictures of their children sitting on Santa’s knee. Others mailed their favorite sugar cookie recipe. He got notes from Grandparents bragging about their grandchildren and a postcard signed with a paw print from the family dog.

It seems like Phillip is one popular guy, right? Except for this: he didn't actually know any of the people.

Earlier that year, he’d done an experiment to test the power of social obligation.

He collected telephone directories from nearby cities and randomly selected 600 names. He then sent a handwritten note to everyone on the list, along with a photograph of himself with his family. Then, he waited.

Come Christmas he received 200 holiday cards; from people that didn’t know him at all. Total strangers.

That is the pull and sway of reciprocation. As I wrote in the article, it is a powerful influencing tool. Phillip Kunz demonstrated that it is so powerful, even strangers will be influenced by it.

As 2016 approaches I encourage you to practice being more influential at work and get what you want by leveraging the invisible rule of reciprocity.

Reciprocity Rules!

1. Engage in simple acts of give and take. And remember to give first. Figure out whom you can help and help them. After you’ve shown your willingness to help, others will want to return the courtesy.
2. If you’ve been generous and given information or resources to a colleague, don’t be afraid to ask for information or resources in return. People like to return favors. It makes them feel good and deepens your relationship with them.
3. After you’ve been thanked for your help, remember to verbalize the rule of reciprocity by saying: My pleasure to do it. I know if the situation were ever reversed, you’d do the same for me. This simple statement increases the likelihood that others will be willing to step up for you.

And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a relationship to deepen and a holiday message to send. Our generous Christmas card writer will be expecting to hear from us.

For more thoughts on influencing, storytelling in business or presentations take a look at my previous Linked In posts or visit my blog.