Part 1/9:

The Power of Positivity: Lessons from Holocaust Survivors and Successful Communicators

Embracing Positivity in the Face of Adversity

The year is 1941, and you are a Jewish teenager from Eastern Europe. You have just lost your brothers, sisters, and parents, who were brutally murdered or sent to the gas chambers. You are now imprisoned in one of the most horrific places humanity has ever created - the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.

Part 2/9:

Your grandfather, Arya, was one of the Holocaust survivors who endured this unimaginable ordeal. When asked how he managed to survive, he simply said, "By always smiling and always saying yes." No matter how cold, how long the day, or how hard the work, Arya would raise his hand and volunteer, even when the Nazis asked him to do the most grueling tasks. His positive attitude and willingness to be valuable made him someone the Nazis could trust, and they ensured his survival.

Part 3/9:

As the renowned psychiatrist and Auschwitz survivor, Victor Frankl, said, "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances." This lesson of choosing positivity in the face of adversity is one that has profoundly shaped the speaker's life and career.

The Science of Positivity

Contrary to the common assumption that success leads to happiness, research has shown that happiness and positivity precede success. Studies have found that happy employees demonstrate 31% higher productivity, 37% higher sales, and three times more creativity than their unhappy colleagues.

Part 4/9:

The speaker has experienced the power of positivity firsthand, from their time in the military and various companies to their career as a management professor. They have identified four key ways to harness the science of positivity and apply it in any setting.

First Impressions: The Power of Appearance

The first aspect of positivity is the power of first impressions. Studies have shown that it only takes a tenth of a second to form an impression of a stranger, and longer exposures don't significantly change that initial judgment. This means that the split-second decision to swipe left or right on a dating app is more than enough to determine whether we want to interact with someone.

Part 5/9:

While we can't change our facial features, we can influence the way we present ourselves, such as through our dress or the background we use for online meetings. The speaker shares an example of their barber, David, who not only provides excellent service but also understands the importance of creating a positive first impression through the use of all five senses.

The Multisensory Approach

Part 6/9:

The second aspect of positivity is the power of engaging multiple senses. The sense of smell, in particular, is a powerful trigger of memory and emotion. Studies have shown that we remember 35% of what we smell, compared to only 5% of what we see. This is why real estate agents often recommend baking bread or cake while showing a property, as the scent can subconsciously make potential buyers feel more at home.

The speaker also discusses the impact of a well-crafted coffee experience, which can engage all five senses and lead to increased spending, as long as one remembers the "don't drink and buy" rule.

The Power of Unexpected Delight

Part 7/9:

The third aspect of positivity is the power of unexpected delight. People tend to forget average or even better-than-average experiences, but they remember anything that surprises or delights them. This is the basis of making people fall in love with a person or a brand.

The speaker shares examples of unexpected positive experiences, such as a rental car company installing a child seat without being asked, a flight attendant memorizing passengers' names, or a hotel remembering a guest's pineapple allergy from a previous visit. These small, unexpected gestures can have a significant impact on how people perceive and remember a person or a brand.

Positive Communication: The Art of Saying "No" Without Saying "No"

Part 8/9:

The fourth and final aspect of positivity is the art of positive communication. The speaker has observed that the most successful people in the world, such as private bankers catering to the world's wealthiest clients, rarely say "no" directly. Instead, they reframe their negative messages into positive alternatives, such as telling clients what is possible rather than what is impossible.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of avoiding negative language, such as the word "but," which can cancel out anything positive that was said before it. They also highlight the power of body language, suggesting that successful communicators often position themselves next to their clients rather than across from them, signaling equality and partnership.

The Essence of Positivity

Part 9/9:

In conclusion, the speaker's grandfather, Shimon Peres, and the most successful people in the world share a common trait: they are driven, positive communicators who are simply enjoyable to be around. Positivity is not magical; it is a science that can be learned and practiced. By embracing first impressions, engaging multiple senses, creating unexpected delight, and mastering positive communication, we can all become more effective, successful, and likable individuals.