Persuasion is all about gently guiding others to see things from a different perspective by using solid arguments and facts. It's a handy skill to have, especially when you need to help others consider new ideas in a work setting.
Being persuasive can really come in handy across various jobs and business scenarios. Let's dive into what persuasion is all about and discover some tips to boost your persuasion skills.

Examples

Persuasion is all about getting someone on board with an idea or encouraging them to take action. At work, you might use it to boost sales, bring new people onto your team, or enhance productivity.

In your everyday life, you might find yourself in situations where you're trying to convince someone of something, or maybe they're trying to convince you.
Here are a few typical scenarios:

• Marketing professionals use written, visual, and media ads as friendly nudges to help sway your buying choices.

• Motivational speakers really shine when you see their speeches, read their articles, or watch their videos. It's a great way to experience their knack for persuasion.

• Salespeople use their charm and persuasion to turn potential customers into loyal fans of their brand.

• Educators, guides, and advisors encourage students to connect with their studies and make smart choices for their future careers.

• Team managers encourage their team members to stay on track and even finish tasks early by using a bit of friendly persuasion.

Let’s dive into ways to be more persuasive, step by step.

The step-by-step plan

1. Find out what is important to them

2. Focus on potential losses

3. Provide options

4. Mention others

5. Ask which option to choose

6. Leverage silence

Find out what is important to them:
Ever wonder why someone would help you out?
Sure, some folks might do you a favor just because, but most people are more eager to lend a hand when there's something in it for them.
So, take a moment to discover what they need and how you can make their lives a little better. It's the simplest way to encourage someone to do what you're asking.

Focus on potential losses:
It's fascinating how we're often more driven by the fear of losing something than by the excitement of gaining something new. This is known as loss aversion.
Instead of focusing on what people could gain by following your advice, try highlighting what they might miss out on if they don't.
After all, nobody likes the feeling of missing out on opportunities.

Provide options:
I'll dive deeper into this topic later since there's a lot to discuss.
In short, it's simpler for folks to decide when they have several choices.
If you only offer one option, every question becomes a simple YES or NO.
This means your odds of getting a YES are just 50%.

Mention others:
One of the simplest and most popular ways to persuade people is by using group bias. When you can demonstrate that a lot of people are already on board with something, it becomes much more convincing for others to believe it's the right choice.
The idea is, "If others are doing it, it must be right." Most of us prefer not to stand out and just want to go along with what everyone else is doing.

Ask which option to choose:
As we said before, it is crucial to provide options.
I’ll give an example how it works.
Let’s say you're selling chocolate to someone.
You have two options to ask a potential customer to buy from you.
“Would you be interested in buying dark chocolate?”
Most likely your customer is going to say NO. Your chances of getting a YES are only at 50%.
Let’s try something else.
“Would you rather have white chocolate or dark chocolate. Most people are choosing dark chocolate. It’s also my favorite.”
When you do that, you're not just tapping into the group's natural preferences, you're also guiding the customer in making their choice.
Trust me, this approach significantly boosts your chances of getting a YES!

Leverage silence:
Once you've asked someone to do something, just take a pause and stay quiet.
The first person to speak often gives up their position. Silence can be incredibly powerful, and many people find it hard to handle. This approach can create a bit of pressure and also demonstrates your confidence in what you're suggesting.

In conclusion

Convincing others is a key ingredient to achieving success.
Whether in your career or personal life, having the ability to persuade can open up numerous opportunities. It's not just about business; it's about everyday interactions too. If you want people to follow your lead, it's crucial to understand their priorities and ease their concerns about making mistakes.
Aim for a win-win situation for everyone involved. You can do this by tapping into common biases, like the tendency to follow the crowd, and by offering them choices.

Being persuasive is a superpower.

Thank you for reading.


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