Here is a quote – People are generally better persuaded by the reasons which they have themselves discovered than by those which have come into the mind of others.
—Blaise Pascal
We normally don’t believe just anything if our reasoning ability cannot authenticate it first. We have every right to question the veracity of an idea or occurrence before we persuade our mind and brain to believe it. Perhaps that is the reason why persuasion of our own self or of others is no lesser an art. It requires practice, aptitude, clarity, expressiveness and a thorough understanding of context among several other factors.
Several social, businesses, political and religious leaders reached their respective positions of eminence because of their persuasive powers. Well, those who believe that these leaders were born with a gift of the gab need to reassess their – somewhat faulty – consideration. Leaders like Adolf Hitler, Cicero, Mother Teresa, and George C Parker worked very hard to refine their skill of persuasion. They developed the ability to see what others could not and to make others understand by reason what they thought incomprehensible otherwise.
Well, I am none to deny the fact that the most effective way of pleading your case is to persuade your audience by your character. It’s quite natural for the audience to follow someone who practices what he preaches. Unless our character speaks for our actions and claims, our listeners will question and doubt everything that we want them to accept as true. On the other hand, when we eliminate the difference between our thoughts and actions, an element of credibility comes in to make the process of persuasion easier for us. When thoughtfully mastered, persuasion becomes an art in not only making others see things as you see them but in believing in your beliefs as well.
Learn the art of persuasive communication
We cannot persuade others or influence their motivations, intentions, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors unless our communication is impressive enough to prompt their thinking process in a way that we want it to. Persuasive communication is a unique exploration of several achievable objectives, some of which include a call to action, stimulation, initiation, tolerance of other perspectives and, of course, mutual understanding. Moreover, individuals must logically defend their viewpoint and attest it effectively so that those who disagree with it eventually undergo a transformation in their thinking and attitude.
Outcome-based thinking persuades naysayers
Those who utilize outcome-based thinking go on to influence others and win in life. We need to be very clear about what we aim to bring about – a change, action or a movement. For instance, you believe that your new start-up idea is so exciting that investors or customers won’t ever question its credibility. If you are passionate about the idea but give up too soon when someone raises a question, or respond to naysayers with cynicism, you won’t be able to persuade the right people. If you cannot focus on outcome and persuade worrywarts, it’s high time you learnt focused persuasion from successful leaders, advisors, and individuals.
Persuasion – A formidable personal branding tool
Aesop, an ancient Greek fabulist and storyteller, once opined, ‘Persuasion is often more effectual than force.’ Anyone looking to strengthening his personal branding endeavors cannot make others appreciate his exploits unless he can persuade them with logic. Leadership and personal branding are all about presentation, persuasion and people skills. While good leaders guide their followers actively with facts-based conversations, the bad ones misguide them intentionally by a forcible implementation of their whimsical and vague ideas.
