Like the idea that the recorder is a viable musical instrument, naughtiness is a concept we seem to leave behind at primary school. 
There’s a lot of talk of quiet quitting and a Great Resignation, but actual naughtiness at work? No way!
The closest most people probably think they’ve got to being naughty at work is stashing a few paper clips in their pocket from the stationary store.
But what about accessing your inner child to use a bit of naughtiness to your benefit at work? This most important of topics sparked one of the standout sessions at this year’s Comms Unplugged.
Those in the tent shared their tricks, secrets and tactics that have been deployed in order to improve outcomes, sway minds or just help them get on!
Let’s open the tin of naughty but nice treats:
- Plant seeds of doubt – timing is everything. A quiet word in the right ear at the right time can make someone think again and question themselves or a decision.
- Ask what would happen if we did nothing – if you find yourself struggling to find the killer evidence for your case, ask what the alternative would be. People might not think you’re quite so mad then.
- Be the Yes Man – a sales tactic from the ages, but one that can be handy to deploy when you’re seeking a ‘yes’. Prime your unwitting target by asking at least three questions that will elicit a positive response to get them into a ‘yes’ mindset. Then, hit them with the question you really want a ‘yes’ too. They’ll stumble right into the trap (hopefully!)
- Be more Danny Dyer – who can forget the Eastenders star’s fairly frank appraisal of David Cameron and Brexit. You have? Well, please do remind yourself (parental advisory on language). Putting politics aside, the point is being willing to call out bad or stupid behaviour. Maybe not with quite such colourful language but passion goes a long way.
- Ask for forgiveness, not permission – think you’ve got a better idea? Go and do it anyway. Reroute resources. Upgrade the approach. People will suddenly jump onboard. It’s hard to say no to a pilot.
- Elton John is coming to our party – wanting to build some backing for your plan? If you tell Ed Sheeran that Elton John is playing your party, he’ll come and play. You can then tell the next person Ed Sheeran is playing your party and the rest will fall in line like a pack of cards. A little white lie? Think of it as more of resourceful relationship building.
By James Morton
