Power and Influence

Artificial Intelligence

How AI Manipulates You Daily (and How to Defend Yourself)

Craig B. Barkacs MBA, JD on April 11, 2024

Every time you browse the internet or social media, you’re vulnerable to influence, but there are ways to protect yourself.

Every time you browse the internet or social media, you’re vulnerable to influence, but there are ways to protect yourself.

Artificial Intelligence

Play the Game That AI Can Never Beat You At

Craig B. Barkacs MBA, JD on March 14, 2024

There’s no question that the explosive growth of AI presents some risks, but you can protect yourself against those risks.

There’s no question that the explosive growth of AI presents some risks, but you can protect yourself against those risks.

Persuasion

How to Use Data in a Way That’s Actually Effective

Craig B. Barkacs MBA, JD on December 21, 2023

In an ideal world, good data alone would be enough to persuade people, but it must be delivered effectively.

In an ideal world, good data alone would be enough to persuade people, but it must be delivered effectively.

Cognition

How to Protect Yourself From Being Manipulated by Data

Craig B. Barkacs MBA, JD on November 28, 2023

Just because someone uses data to back up an argument doesn’t mean you should be persuaded. Become data literate.

Just because someone uses data to back up an argument doesn’t mean you should be persuaded. Become data literate.

Persuasion

The Key to Mastering Influence Is Adaptive Persuasion

Craig B. Barkacs MBA, JD on October 5, 2023

Making someone feel understood and respected is universally persuasive, but the best way to do this differs for each person.

Making someone feel understood and respected is universally persuasive, but the best way to do this differs for each person.

Persuasion

You Are You: Understanding, Respect, and Unity

Craig B. Barkacs MBA, JD on August 1, 2023

Human interactions are complex, but human desires are simple. Use this knowledge to be persuasive, even in conflict.

Human interactions are complex, but human desires are simple. Use this knowledge to be persuasive, even in conflict.

Persuasion

How to Turn a “No” Into a “Yes”

Craig B. Barkacs MBA, JD on May 15, 2023

Always go for the big ask. You can still win, no matter how the other side responds.

Always go for the big ask. You can still win, no matter how the other side responds.

Fear

“No” Is the First Two Letters of “Not Yet”

Craig B. Barkacs MBA, JD on March 8, 2023

Fear prevents people from asking for things they legitimately need, but there are ways to overcome it.

Fear prevents people from asking for things they legitimately need, but there are ways to overcome it.

Happiness

How to Find Happiness at Work Without Quiet Quitting

Craig B. Barkacs MBA, JD on December 9, 2022

An easy-to-remember formula will help you proactively improve a situation instead of being passive-aggressive.

An easy-to-remember formula will help you proactively improve a situation instead of being passive-aggressive.

Persuasion

The Power of Critical Thinking on the Path to Persuasion

Craig B. Barkacs MBA, JD on September 8, 2022

When people are resistant to persuasion, the stories that lie deep within their psyche are often the key to changing their minds.

When people are resistant to persuasion, the stories that lie deep within their psyche are often the key to changing their minds.

Cognition

When Critical Thinking Cannot Persuade Others

Craig B. Barkacs MBA, JD on August 12, 2022

Critical thinking can help you be more persuasive, but it can also make you less persuasive and more vulnerable. Learn how to protect yourself.

Critical thinking can help you be more persuasive, but it can also make you less persuasive and more vulnerable. Learn how to protect yourself.

Career

8 Ways to Protect Yourself Against Hardball Tactics

Craig B. Barkacs MBA, JD on July 1, 2022

Most people don’t like playing hardball but some do (and will). You need to learn how to protect yourself. 

Most people don’t like playing hardball but some do (and will). You need to learn how to protect yourself. 

Stress

Stress and Powerlessness: Is Your Job Killing You?

Craig B. Barkacs MBA, JD on May 17, 2022

Understand the links between power, autonomy, stress, and health.

Understand the links between power, autonomy, stress, and health.

Persuasion

How Being “Trilingual” Is the Key to Resolving Disputes

Craig B. Barkacs MBA, JD on April 25, 2022

In a dispute, there are three types of arguments that people can make. To become better at resolving disputes, you need to become familiar with them all.

In a dispute, there are three types of arguments that people can make. To become better at resolving disputes, you need to become familiar with them all.

Cognition

Think You’re Entitled to Your Opinion? Think Again

Craig B. Barkacs MBA, JD on March 31, 2022

Critical thinking skills are key to cultivating your power and influence. Here’s why.

Critical thinking skills are key to cultivating your power and influence. Here’s why.

Anger

When to Engage in an Argument and When to Walk Away

Craig B. Barkacs MBA, JD on March 1, 2022

Know how and when to engage in an argument—and when to back off.

Know how and when to engage in an argument—and when to back off.

Optimism

The Secret to 'Real Optimism' as Revealed in Space Travel

Craig B. Barkacs MBA, JD on January 20, 2022

Optimism does increase your chances of success. But it needs to be the right kind of optimism.

Optimism does increase your chances of success. But it needs to be the right kind of optimism.

Personality

Why NASA’s Top 3 Personality Traits Also Apply to Companies

Craig B. Barkacs MBA, JD on December 30, 2021

The qualities needed for a successful space mission are the same ones you’ll need to succeed in your organization.

The qualities needed for a successful space mission are the same ones you’ll need to succeed in your organization.

Trust

Why You Need to Trust the Process—the Power Process, That Is

Craig B. Barkacs MBA, JD on November 22, 2021

Once you’ve learned to avoid squandering your power, follow this step-by-step process to accomplish your goals.

Once you’ve learned to avoid squandering your power, follow this step-by-step process to accomplish your goals.

Motivation

The Top 7 Mistakes You Might Make That Squander Your Power

Craig B. Barkacs MBA, JD on October 28, 2021

Whether you have a lot of power or are just getting started, you need to know how to avoid sabotaging yourself.

Whether you have a lot of power or are just getting started, you need to know how to avoid sabotaging yourself.