ist magazine January 2023

Feature

The Underdog Effect: 5 WAYS TO OVERCOME & WIN By Darren LaCroix

2. DECIDE TO BE ALL-IN.

What’s your favorite underdog story? Why did you root for them? Whether it is a small company up against a big company or dynasty sports team against the Bad News Bears, you know the stories. You’ve probably seen it countless times in every sports history, from the Pirates defeating the Yankees in 1960 to the 1980 USA Olympic Hockey team. Hollywood even makes movies about the lovable underdog. Legends are made because the odds are stacked against them. Have the odds ever been stacked against you? Perfect. Here are five ways you can win as the underdog: 1. TAP INTO THE “UNDERDOG EFFECT” The odds against you can be an asset. Ever wonder why people root for the un derdog? More importantly, how can you get people to not only root for you, but come alongside and actually help you? When the odds are stacked against

you, the crowd is rooting for you. It’s in your DNA. People are programmed to want to help, even people you may not know. People who have money, contacts and skills that could help you beat Goliath. When they see your undogged persistence, they are inspired and will use their assets to help you on this seemingly unachievable win. Get their attention; that’s an asset! Get your story out there and tell it in a compelling way. The bigger your challenge, the more compelling your story. The more compelling your story, the more people will come alongside you and help. Even unexpected people of influence or people you don’t know may pitch in and help. Make sure your story includes all the ways the odds are stacked against you. If your Goliath is known as a bully, even better. Get your story on the news, industry magazines, social media and the papers, any way you can.

What is the Underdog Effect? In telligence is something that people love, respect and want more of. You’ve probably heard of EQ, Emotional Intelli gence. Many people are talking about AI, Artificial Intelligence. Now you’re about to discover A.I.I. The Underdog Effect. A.I.I. stands for All-In Intelligence. When you are all-in, you think and decide differently. It is because the odds are against you that people not only root for you, some will even come alongside you and help. To take advantage of the underdog effect, you must decide. But this isn’t just deciding you are going to win; this is getting every single person on your team to make an all-in decision. Once you “burn the boats” and you make an all-in decision, perspective changes dra matically. You think and act differently. You feel differently. Like parents caring

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January 2023 istmagazine.com