Ways to Be Persuasive

John Krautzel
Posted by in Career Advice


The ability to motivate others to act is invaluable in any setting, whether you want to win new clients or inspire your team to meet difficult deadlines. To develop a persuasive personality, sharpen your verbal and nonverbal communication strategies so you can convey ideas with authority and in a relatable manner. Paying attention to the personalities and motives of others helps you tailor your interactions to different individuals and make your words resonate with them.

1. Emphasize the Benefits

Think like a marketer, and always make the benefits of a specific action easy for others to envision. Empathize with your colleagues to lower their guard and establish common ground, but be prepared to offer a reason why your desired outcome is best for everyone. Avoid taking advantage of colleagues or clients by completely ignoring their interests, as an unethical attitude teaches others to be wary of you in the future.

2. Listen and Learn

Absorb as much information as you can about others so you can choose the most effective communication strategies for each scenario. While one person may connect with stories, others may need facts and figures, constant praise, or sympathetic coddling to feel motivated. In your interactions, try to determine the person's underlying goals and objections. Understanding what others really want and their limits of compromise helps you filter out conversation points that aren't likely to strengthen your argument.

3. Anticipate Resistance

Never try to persuade others without anticipating their possible objections, as you may end up floundering in your argument or being too forceful. Clients and co-workers want some confirmation that you considered their perspectives before pushing your agenda. Learn from the communication strategies of attorneys, and guide your audience's thought process by acknowledging other possibilities and providing examples to refute those objections. At the same time, know when to back off if your audience is unreceptive.

4. Create Urgency

One of the most successful communication strategies is convincing others that they need to act now. Instead of being pushy or a know-it-all, state your case with the calm demeanor of a friend sharing information. Speak with self-assurance, and make sure the value of your desired outcome is clear. Keep your motives out of the conversation, but give others the sense that they may miss out by failing to act soon. Retreat without actively trying to sway opinions so your audience believes they have an in-demand opportunity with an expiration date.

5. Present Evidence

Concrete proof is the most persuasive communication strategy. Whether you're preparing for an interview or asking for a promotion, compile a diverse body of evidence that demonstrates a history of value and results. You should also present your projected goals or expectations with evidence that they are viable options so others have facts to refer back to when evaluating your arguments.

Wielding a persuasive personality can help you unite others around a common goal and defuse conflicts involving clients or co-workers. Stick to communication strategies that encourage others to accept mutually beneficial ideas, and avoid self-serving behavior that makes your audience distrustful over time.


Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

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  • GLORIA O.
    GLORIA O.

    ok

  • jimmie holcomb
    jimmie holcomb

    Must show integrity an ambition,egerness an responsibility

  • serena kanuch
    serena kanuch

    I just want to have a job and I want to be valued as a team member.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Michele thanks for your comment. So many of us are in the same boat and are afraid of rocking the boat so we just take what they give us and don't say anything. I have found that it's best to discuss such matters with your supervisor/manager. If you don't and you suffer in silence, you won't stay on that job for long. Salary certainly is not everything but, if it's not enough to sustain you, move on to another position.

  • Khaled M.
    Khaled M.

    Respect for the principle function is, money is not everything

  • michele d.
    michele d.

    Thanks for the article. I will try to keep it in mind while talking about getting the raise I deserve. I'm better at doing the job and not so great in communicating my "worthiness" to others. Money is not always the point in keeping a valuable employee, sometimes it is a mixture of many ingredients . However, there is a point when the employee realizes that they are being taken advantage of and must speak their mind without burning a bridge. That is the point I am at now in my current position.

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