World Builders,

These are three ways Game Masters run a table without breaking a sweat. Use them in real life to win: negotiation, sales, demonstrations, presentations. It's all a game and you're playing for real.

Yes, and...

This technique, well-known to workshop facilitators and improv actors of all stripes, is a verbal judo maneuver that allows you to semi-agree and redirect the energy of the conversation favorably. (This one works with kids, too!)

DnD Table

Shifty Rogue Trying to Run Yet-Another-Scheme: "Can I pick the guard's pockets?"

Game Master: "Yes, and roll a Sleight of Hand check to see if you succeed. If you fail, he will be swift and merciless with justice."

Product Sales Conversation

Potential Customer, Doubter: "I think your product is too expensive."

You, Winner: "Yes, and that's why I'm certain you'll get the results you're after."

Shared Hallucination

Less a trick and more a state of collective flow, if you can master the art of visual communication (like the best GMs already know), your audience will be on the ride with you from start to end.

DnD Table

Game Master: "Imagine standing on the precipice of a cliff overlooking an abyss beyond comprehension. The blackest of pits of horror and despair. Beyond the pit lies your destination. Under a swirling tempest, illuminated by a torrent of unnatural lightning, stands the ancient and evil Castle Ravenloft."

Board Meeting

Product Master: "Imagine how it feels when our customers get their hands on this. No more call center meltdowns, huge adoption gains, and a market boost in the double digits. It feels like you just won the Super Bowl."

Silence Holds the Frame

When you leave room for others to speak, even after you think they've finished their thought, surprise! They will fill the dead air with more information. This is also known as "maintaining frame". You want to be in control of the presentation, discussion, or pitch at all times. Say less to get more. People hate the silence. They're desperate to communicate, even if that means sacrificing leverage for comfort.

DnD Table

Heroic Barbarian in a Rare Moment of Weakness: "We're kind of up against the wall here. There are goblins behind the door and if we go back outside, we're in a hostile wilderness. [To the GM] Do I sense that we're better fighting or fleeing?"

Game Master: *looks at the player, raises eyebrows, takes a deep breath*

Barbarian: "We're going in. Prepare for battle."

Performance Review

Boss, trying to tamp down on costs: "I don't feel your performance this quarter puts you on a fast track to a promotion. What do you think?"

You, about to get a raise: *calmly eyes the boss, and sits silent and firm*

Boss, about to crack: "Okay, well, listen let's say we'll review this again in a month and I think we can make something work. You have been doing a great job, I just have to keep a lid on some of the expenses. The big bosses upstairs are getting a little interested in our team lately."

Keep these techniques in minds and you'll be running all kinds of tables in the big leagues in no time. Whether it's a D&D night or a dream interview, you now have tools to take it to the next level.

Want to read more about the above techniques? Good news! I'll be including some resource recommendations in upcoming World Builders' Guild newsletter so you can dig into all the deep learning available on taking it to the next level in the game of life.

To future worlds,

Matt Ventre

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