Want someone to help you?

It’s Friday, let’s keep it short.

Here’s a tip you can use to get people talking, open up, or even help you. Hostage negotiators use it to get kidnappers to share information and keep the conversation going.

Simply restate the most important or final few words of the other person’s statement.

“Hey boss, we don’t have any more space for these files.”

“Just put them anywhere.”

“I’m sorry, anywhere?”

“Umm, yea, you can put them in my office.”

Repeating the last few words is part of “mirroring,” and it helps people feel heard and state things in a different way. You can use it to get someone to open up, continue talking, or even to deescalate.

Have a good weekend.