Persuasion

Persuasion is using appropriate interpersonal and communication skills to gain agreement or acceptance to an idea, plan, or activity.

Persuasion in a hurry

Use this checklist as a quick reminder of the key things to remember for persuasion

  • Construct a logical and sound case
  • Practice how you will represent your case
  • Consider and anticipate the position of others
  • Listen to and consider carefully questions, ideas and suggestions from others

Persuasion in detail
Positive examples
  • Can construct a logical and sound case
  • Can influence decisions made by others
  • Can prepare a persuasive case having anticipated the other's position
  • Uses different approaches to persuading others with different people and situations
  • Actively influences the course of conversation in his/her interest
  • Others react positively to his/her point of view

Negative examples
  • Does not put forward arguments or points of view well, and has little effect on the course of discussion
  • Fails to get commitment or acceptance of ideas or suggestions
  • Does not adapt style of behaviour to different situations

Developing persuasion
  • Consider the attributes of successful role models
  • Consider using of different styles of persuasion
  • Discuss with others the reasons for unsuccessful attempts at persuading someone

Developing persuasion in others
  • Help the individual identify personal style of persuasion through discussion regarding successes, encourage the use of successful styles
  • Discuss attributes of successful role models with the individual
  • Discuss reasons for unsuccessful attempts at persuading others
  • Encourage use of different styles of persuasion
  • Discuss how the individual persuaded a manager of his/her opposing view following a discussion
  • Discuss with individual how to influence the outcome of a meeting, what could be done differently
  • Set objective of persuading a 'difficult' individual to accept a new procedure, discuss the approach before and after