After sitting down with Jake Stahl, Erik reflects on the biggest insights from their conversation about neuro-strategy, influence, and the subtle ways leaders can shape trust. He pulls forward Jake’s key practices and maps them onto his own curiosity-driven approach to leadership and coaching.

🎯 Top Insights from the Interview

• Preparation shapes influence: First impressions begin long before the first handshake or Zoom call—your digital presence and prep work matter.
• Ask for input as a gift: Seeking advice or perspective triggers the same positive biological response as giving someone a treat.
• Paraphrasing as mastery: Advanced validation means not just repeating what someone said, but adding an empathetic inference that deepens connection.
• Avoid “Why?” in conversations: While powerful internally, asking “why” often provokes defensiveness in dialogue.

🧩 The Personal Layer

• Erik imagines treating every interaction like handing someone a brownie—a playful but profound metaphor for leaving people feeling valued.
• He notices how much Jake’s methods align with the ethos of I Have Some Questions—that the right framing of curiosity can transform any exchange.
• The idea that “why” can shut people down made Erik rethink his own instinctive questioning style.

🧰 From Insight to Action

• Audit your LinkedIn profile or digital footprint—what impression are you creating before you even meet someone?
• In your next conversation, ask for help or input as a way to build trust.
• Practice paraphrasing with inference: go one step deeper than what’s said.
• Swap “why” questions for validating restatements that move dialogue forward.

🗣️ Notable Quotes

• “Every person you meet should feel like you just gave them a brownie.” – Erik’s reflection on Jake’s insight
• “First impressions are built before the first words are spoken.” – Erik
• “The power of a question isn’t always in the question—it’s in how you reframe what you’ve already heard.” – Erik