Hello Reader,
Today, we're talking about the art of making an idea unforgettable. In Model UN, you're constantly competing for attention. You might have the best policy proposal in the room, but if your idea doesn't stick in delegates' minds, it won't stand a chance. (It's also an idea that we'll be exploring in our upcoming 30-day sprint)
This week, we're diving into Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip and Dan Heath. While the authors aren't diplomats themselves, their work breaks down how the world's most effective communicators - from diplomats to advertisers, get their messages to 'stick'.
They outline a simple, six-part blueprint for making any idea persuasive and memorable.
Here are our 3 favourite ideas from the book to get your ideas to stick:
1. Simplicity: Find the Core 🎯
Complex ideas are easily forgotten. Simple ideas are powerful. This isn't about "dumbing down" your argument, but about finding its single, core message. In the chaos of debate, delegates can only absorb so much. Your job is to give them one central concept to hold on to, a point so clear it's unforgettable. In the book they say to think of it as a "Commander's Intent" from the military—the one goal that guides every action, even when the plan goes wrong.
In MUN terms, this means stripping away the jargon and focusing on a clear, powerful headline for your policy.
Instead of: 👉 “Our resolution outlines a multilateral approach to enhance agricultural sustainability and food supply chain resilience by leveraging public-private partnerships, a phased funding model, and capacity-building initiatives.”
Try: 👉 “Our resolution will ensure no one goes hungry. Period.”
2. Unexpectedness: Grab Their Attention 😲
Your brain is hardwired to pay attention to the unexpected (Boo!). We notice what breaks a pattern, and we stay engaged to find out why. A great speech, often begins with a surprising fact or a counter-intuitive statement that creates something that psychologists like to call a curiosity gap.
In MUN, you can use a surprising opening to grab the room’s attention and force them to listen to what comes next.
Instead of: 👉 "Honorable Chair, fellow delegates, the issue before us today is incredibly important."
Try: 👉 "Everything you think you know about this crisis is wrong. Let me explain why"
3. Credibility: Make Them Believe You 🧠
People are more likely to act on an idea they trust. The Heath brothers identify several ways to build credibility, but for MUN, the most effective is using concrete examples. Don't just make a claim; back it up with a fact or a verifiable detail. You can be credible because you are an expert, but you can also be credible because your source is undeniable.
You build credibility by sharing specific, data, naming a real-world example, or citing a relevant UN report. This turns a vague statement into a convincing argument.
Instead of: 👉 "This is a global problem that needs more funding."
Try: 👉 "Over 700 million people worldwide face food insecurity, a 20% increase since last year, according to the latest FAO report. Our policy directly addresses this."
🏁Final Thoughts
Made to Stick gives you a powerful blueprint for communicating in a way that resonates with any audience. By focusing on Simplicity, Unexpectedness and Credibility you'll make sure your most important ideas don't get lost in the noise. It's a must-read for anyone who wants their words to have a lasting impact.
- Get the Full Book Summary: Dive deeper into all six principles and read real-world examples in this detailed summary of the book.
That’s it for this week. Try some of these moves at your next conference—you might be surprised how much more persuasive you become.
Catch you next MUNday,
