Ever been asked to present three options to a client? You know, because that’s just how things are done? Early in my career, running an agency and working with Fortune 500 companies, I learned one thing fast: clients always pick the wrong option.

Enter ‘The Hairy Arm Technique.’

(Thanks, James Barnard, for reminding me of this.)

Legend has it that a designer once slipped a hairy arm into a meticulously crafted print layout to see if the client was paying attention. Naturally, the client spotted the mistake, demanded its removal, and left everything else intact.

I realized this technique could work for presenting creative options, too.

Here’s the playbook:
1. The Star:
The design you believe in. Bold. Beautiful. The one you hope they’ll choose.

2. The Safe Option:
Conservative, a fallback that won’t excite anyone.

3. The Hairy Arm:
The intentionally bad option—cluttered layout, cringe-worthy typography, or an off-brand concept.

Clients would almost always reject the Hairy Arm, feel good about their decision-making, and choose the star design.

Win-win.

These days, I’m writing and engaging on LinkedIn, where content often feels like shouting into a void. You spend hours crafting a thoughtful post, and—poof—it vanishes into digital Narnia.

That’s when I started applying the Hairy Arm to my writing.

Why?

Humans love to feel smart—and they REALLY love proving others wrong.

Now, when I write, I ask myself:
– Will this make someone mad enough to respond?
– Will it provoke curiosity?
– Will it invite corrections or counterarguments?

Take my recent post about CEOs.

I threw in a bold statement: the 4Ps are outdated. Was I serious? Partly. But I knew it would spark debate. Sure enough, my comment section lit up with arguments, counterpoints, and engagement.

As Nick Huber wisely said, “Nuance doesn’t get engagement.” Sometimes, boldness is the key to starting meaningful conversations.

The Hairy Arm Technique isn’t about trolling or shock value.

It’s about using contrast to guide decisions or spark discussion.

Here’s how to do it right:
1. Be Intentional:
Don’t add something bad for the sake of it. Your “Hairy Arm” must serve a purpose.

2. Know Your Audience:
Push boundaries without alienating.

3. Be Ready to Engage:
Treat pushback as a chance to deepen the conversation.

Here’s the magic: the Hairy Arm doesn’t just guide decisions—it creates energy. Whether it’s in a design review or a LinkedIn post, people want to feel involved.

The key is crafting the conversation as thoughtfully as you’d craft the work itself.

So, the next time you’re stuck—whether pitching a design or writing content—ask yourself: What’s my Hairy Arm? Use it wisely, and you’ll guide choices, spark debates, and maybe even keep your best ideas intact.

You’re welcome.