“I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse.”

While that makes for one of the greatest movie quotes, it’s certainly not the kind of business we strive for. I don’t know about you, but the businesses I work with would much rather make an offer their customer wouldn’t want to refuse.

While Don Corleone has a deep understanding of what’s worst for his audience, they strive for a deep understanding of what’s best for their audience. Don Corleone’s offer is made out of a position of power while their offer is made out of a position of relevance. While he uses force, they rely on resonance.

The crucial difference is free will. Telling a story that resonates so strongly that people will want to come along eliminates the need of force. Ultimately, if your work really does make a difference, then resonance might even be the stronger force.

Check out my new book
The PATH to Strategic Impact

Get The Art of Communicating in your inbox.
Change minds, drive action, and turn confusion into clarity.

    I value your privacy. No spam. Just “Great stuff, brilliantly articulated” (to use the words of longtime reader David).

    Read More

    Becoming a leader

    When people transition into a leadership position, they are regularly surprised to learn how much of their job is now communication. And, in turn, how

    Read »

    It’s either good or bad

    “Oh, that’s like Instagram but for poems.” When we see or hear something, our brain automatically compares it to the things we know. We put

    Read »

    A special kind of smart

    There’s a special kind of smart that leaves everyone confused.That’s the Obfuscator at work. They use big words to say small things.They wrap simple ideas

    Read »