Struggling To Get Others To Agree?

Imagine this.

You’re waiting in line at the photocopier.
Someone walks up and says:

🗨️ “Excuse me. I have 5 pages. May I use the photocopier?”

Later, someone else asks:
🗨️ “Excuse me. I have 5 pages. May I use the photocopier because I’m in a rush?”

And then:
🗨️ “Excuse me. I have 5 pages. May I use the photocopier because I have to make copies?”

Who would you let jump the queue?

A Harvard study from the 1970s found:

✔️ 60% let the first person go ahead.
✔️ 94% let the second person go ahead.
✔️ 93% let the third person go ahead.

Even when the reason was… obvious.

Why?
Because “because” works.

It gives people a reason — and that reason makes them more likely to say yes.

Even a simple explanation can build trust, clarity and connection.

Next time you make a request, try adding “because…”
And see what happens.

Have you used this trick before?
I’d love to hear your version.