Jonah Berger

This person was smart enough to ask me for my advice.

They must be pretty smart, smart too.

And so let's ask for advice a little bit more.

Not only will it give us information that we need and help us out in that capacity, but it will also help us be perceived more favorably as well.

You know, we're talking a little bit about solving problems.

We often think about what we should do.

And should is a good way to think about it.

But a subtle shift in the way we describe that problem-solving approach can help us out a lot.

Rather than thinking about what we should do, if we think about what we could do instead, research finds we're much more likely to reach a good creative solution.

And the reason why is that should is sort of restricting.

We think about what we should do.

It focuses on the only one right answer and we've got to figure out what it is.

If instead I think about what I could do, it gives me a much broader vantage point.

I'm thinking about the different possibilities and what might be out there.

And even if I don't pursue all those possibilities in the end, by thinking in coulds rather than shoulds will help us get there.

No problem.

Thanks so much for having me.