Better Questions, Better Results

How Can You Improve Your Decision-Making Skills Under Pressure? Because “Panic and Hope” Isn’t a Strategy   High-Level Framing Decision-making under pressure is one of those crucibles that defines leaders, athletes, negotiators, and parents with toddlers. It’s not just about choosing the right thing—it’s about choosing it fast, with limited information, and while your heart rate spikes like a squirrel on espresso. Improving your decision-making skills under pressure is not just a life hack, it’s a life skill. In this post, we’ll look at how to stay calm, think clearly, and make smarter calls when the clock is ticking. Think Navy SEALs meet Google analysts—and no, the answer isn’t “just trust your gut.” The Physiology of Pressure: Why Your Brain Short-Circuits When you’re under pressure, your brain’s limbic system (hello, fight-or-flight) takes the wheel. The prefrontal cortex, which handles logical decision-making, starts to dim like a flashlight on its last battery. In short: stre...

How Does Persuasion Work? The science of influence, cognitive bias, and decision-making How do we say yes?  Persuasion is less about manipulation and more about understanding how people think. By uncovering the principles that govern decision-making—like emotional triggers, mental shortcuts, and social dynamics—we can learn to influence ethically and effectively. Whether you’re in marketing, leadership, or simply navigating relationships, mastering persuasion begins with understanding the psychology behind it. The Core Mechanics of Persuasion Persuasion isn’t sleight of hand—it’s behavioral science. Cognitive psychologists have shown that people rely on mental shortcuts, or  heuristics , to make decisions quickly. This makes us susceptible to influence in predictable ways: Perceptions : How a message is framed can change how it’s received Emotions : People often make decisions emotionally, then justify them logically Cognitive Biases : Our brains are wired to favor certain typ...