Guest Post From Steve Minshall, CSP, CIH
I'm a regular conference attendee and have been for years. I have to admit, though, that I haven't always been as rigorous about attending the general sessions and listening to the keynote speakers. We are, after all, out of town and the boss isn't here (well, she may be here for some folks) and it's mighty tempting to sleep in...
But you know what? I've really come to enjoy them. I was duly inspired last year in Chicago when volunteers marched in carrying the flags of all the countries represented at the conference. In fact, I was one of those volunteers and participating greatly enhanced my conference experience.
Monday's general session, featuring Dr. Robert Cialdini, was another treat. If you haven't heard Cialdini's presentation, then you're missing out on learning six key principles of influence and persuasion (of course, you can always buy the book; he'd like that!). If you think there's hocus-pocus to his principles (which, by the way, are reciprocation, scarcity, authority, consistency, liking and consensus), you only have to stroll through the exhibition hall to see many of them live and in action (think especially reciprocation, liking and consensus). The opening ceremony was grand, too. Once again, seeing the flags of all the nations hung across the podium is an impressive sight and reminds us of ASSE's global reach.