Reading this link, the concept of RDF jumped out at me in the article. I'm going to describe the effect a bit, then talk about how to cultivate the quality in yourself.

RDF puts a name to something I've noticed happening to me recently. During conversation, someone will start to say something, and I will interrupt in mid sentence to ask a question/ make an observation. It's done seamlessly, and to the benefit of the group dynamic while also demonstrating Alpha qualities. The effect is most pronounced in groups of 3-4.

Keys to creating a RDF field:

Keys to creating a field for yourself include both presentation and concept. When talking over someone, it's best to do so

  • During the time when no one is really saying anything important... just filling gaps.

  • Beginning with a volume level just higher than the current speaker (too loud and you look like a try hard).

  • Using slightly sped up pacing for the first 3 or so words.

  • Strong eye contact and maybe some natural hand movements to the person you're most likely to get full attention from.

The key here is to create a physical need for people to pay attention to you. Coming in louder, and quick right away draws people's attention and ensures holding for a bit. Most people will stop talking right away. If they don't, I find it best to wait, rather than continue talking over them. I play it off like I was lost in thought and just got excited about asking/saying something.

Now that you have attention, you need to deliver:

Being Alpha means you always add to the situation. To follow up, you need to deliver A) a short, funny story B) ask a question that allows the previous center of attention to interestingly expand on a story ("Oh you were in Africa... tell me about the safari you went on"), make a short and extremely funny observation relevant to previous topic.

Keys to the technique:

I find it best to figure out what you're going to say first, then say it. You have to be able to train your brain to think of this shit on the fly, and use it whenever you sense a weak point in the conversation (someone's asking/talking about something boring irrelevant). I also find myself doing this more often when caffeinated, drunk, or on MDMA. This is Alpha because it uses control to change the situation to a better outcome. Please tell me when/how you've noticed someone doing this.