The "Weapons of Influence." How and why we become incrementally compliant.

This morning I decided to run along the beach. Pre-COVID-19 I was on a 5 day a week running schedule. Of course we know that has changed.

Getting back to my run this morning. I was asked to, “COMPLY” with the local beach closing. I was in the process of completing a soft sand run and was 1.5 miles into my run when I was asked to stop by the park ranger.

He was first pacing me in his vehicle and was advising me the beach was closed. I kept running and replied, I am running, what is the deal?

He asked me to stop and I could see that I had upset his biology. He got out of his vehicle and walked briskly up to me, (Within six feet), pulled his mask up and was talking. I interrupted him and asked what his name was? (In an effort to diffuse any aggression on his part.) He calmed down a bit and told me the story again about the beaches being closed. His final remark was, would you be so kind as to run along the bike path.

And I complied! As I turned on my heel I realized I had fallen for 2 weapons of influence from Robert Cialdini’s book, “Influence.”

1. "Authority". He asked me to stop and I complied. "Authority"

He exited the vehicle so I was able to see his uniform, night stick, mace, stun gun and holstered pistol. Ok, I got that picture, however, on a subconscious level, right? And he approached within six feet. (Invasion of space even at 6 feet, establishing dominance)

1. Commitment and consistency.

Would you be so kind to run along the bike path.

Everyone or most everyone would like to considered as, “Kind,” “Nice,” “Easy to get along,” etc….

So he got me on my commitment to be kind and to act consistently with this, “Compliance.”

Where is logic, reasoning and critical thinking? What happened to me? My brain short-circuited as the, Click, Whir of my brain went into action and did a short cut into a compliant behavior.

Here is my dilemma, how is it preventing the spread of COVID-19 to channel me and everyone else into a six foot wide bike path vs a wide open beach?

One last food for thought......

Do as I say, not as I do........? Wow!