Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Persuasion

      Have you ever seen a woman sawn in half?  Or perhaps you have watched as a man walks through the Great Wall of China?  I could probably mention many other situations that you have seen, of things that you know to be impossible, but you watch them being done.  How is it that you, perhaps for only a moment, think that the impossible is actually being done?

      It is primarily because of the deception of the mind.  The persuasiveness of the performer.  Or maybe it is in part because you WANT to believe it is being done!  Whatever the reason in your case, you may not realize just how manipulated the mind can be done.

 

     The action or fact of persuading someone or of being persuaded to do or believe something is what is involved in the powerful force of persuasion that some have developed over others.  It has been written about (Persuasion by Jane Austen, available on https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/6399/persuasion-by-jane-austen/ ), it has been produced as a movie.  A 1995 period drama film directed by Roger Michell and based on Jane Austen’s 1817 novel of the same name.  You may find a copy at https://www.amazon.com/Persuasion-Susan-Fleetwood/dp/B00003JRCQ .  It was also remade as a 2007 TV movie.  You may find that at https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0844330/ .

 

     However, in more personal relationships, it is almost unthinkable that someone could be persuaded to say or do something that they might otherwise not even consider.  There are individuals who have fashioned a career out of the art of persuasion.  If you want a little advice on being more persuasive consider the following:

 

     You may want a raise at work.  Or maybe you want to go out with that “special” friend who has always refused you in the past.  The one I love the most stated: “Maybe you want that extra barbeque sauce with your chicken and NOT have to pay the extra fifty cents!”  You have to do something about it!  No one is just going to give it to you!

 

     An article posted several years ago (https://www.businessinsider.com/6-ways-to-persuade-anyone-of-anything-2016-7 ) listed some things that may help you in any of the above situations (or many others for that matter) to persuade someone toward your opinion.

 

1.       Be confident.  Their main objective here tells you the more confident you are, the more convincing your arguments are going to sound, and the more powerful you’re going to appear.  Don’t be afraid if you don’t feel confident --- just act confident!

2.      Introduce a logical argument.  When someone is persuaded to do something, they do it because they have come to believe it is the right or best thing to do.

3.      Make it seem beneficial to the other party.  This may not always be easy to do, but in making your request seem valuable for the other party you will be able to convenience them of your side of the issue.

4.      Choose your words carefully.  Some words have a greater perceived value than others.  Use them judiciously.  It would perhaps be better to tell someone a certain action would be more “lucrative” than merely saying “good” or “better.”

5.      Use flattery.  Be careful and cautious in how you approach this topic, but everyone likes to have their egos stroked!  Just make sure you do in a subtle manner.

6.      Be patient, but persistent.  Your attempts at being persuasive may not be successful on the first attempt.  However, do not give up.  Be persistent!  You may have to let the situation sit for the moment, recollect yourself, and try again at a later more convenient time. Remember, persuasion is a skill, and with any skill it will take time and practice to perfect.

 

     I think we could better understand this developed skill if we sat in a court room and watched the attorneys for the defense and prosecution as they banter back and forth, arguing their cases before the judge and jury.  It is an art style that is almost impossible to imagine.

 

     To fully understand the nature of our human makeup when considering how WE are influenced or persuaded in various areas of our life you may enjoy watching a 30-minute video which explores this subject.  It is an interview of Robert Cialdini, the author of the book Pre-Suasion by Inc. president Eric Schurenberg at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gP_rv8VB-U    What you will find in its conclusion is that we’re only human!


QUOTE TO CONSIDER



THOUGHTFUL GEM


"The needs of the many,

outweigh the needs of the few."

Spock


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