Success Secrets: A Lesson From Borat

Saw the new Borat movie yesterday. Outrageous, politically incorrect and hilarious! The question is, what has this journalist from Kazakhstan - a wacky, fictitious character created by comedian Sacha Baron Cohen - got to do with Perspective Power?

In an earlier post, I discussed how to take control of a situation by saying or doing something totally unexpected, yet completely relevant => How To Grab Attention

 Throughout the Borat movie, I watched an example of this strategy in action. In large part, the movie is a mocumentary consisting of a series of encounters between Borat and Joe Public. During these meetings, Borat begins relatively seriously and then ramps up the silliness to cringingly embarrassing, and very funny, levels.

In order to do this, Borat/Cohen has to maintain tight control of each situation. At the beginning of each meeting, Borat leans forward and kisses his "victim" once on each cheek. This simple gesture has a wonderfully destabilizing effect, throwing Borat’s intended targets completely off-guard and allowing him to take control.

This invasion of the victims’ personal space was totally unexpected - you can see the surprise in their faces - and yet completely relevant to the comedic situation. (I’ve no idea if Kazakhs actually greet this way but neither did Borat’s fall guys).

Perspective Power Strategy:
Think about someone who’s attention you want to capture. Perhaps you want to pitch an idea to your boss, a new product to a prospect or the benefits of not smoking to your teenager. What could you say or do to that person that would be both totally unexpected, yet completely relevant? Answer this question and you have a powerful strategy for grabbing their attention.