Who wouldn’t want to be a bit more influential, but how do we do that?
One tool is mimicry, writes Jonah Berger in this blog post. Imitating the language, behavior, or facial expressions of others can increase success. Mimicry increases liking, trust, and affiliation. So don’t just listen; emulate. If an interviewer leans back on their chair and crosses their legs, do the same. If a client starts emails with “Hey” instead of “Dear,” adopt that language. Subtle shifts can deepen social bonds, turn strangers to friends, and make acquaintances into allies.