People Management
Persuasive Communication
Author: Ronnie Nijmeh, ACQYR.com
What makes a great communicator so persuasive? What makes the best leader motivational? How does one become a great, inspirational leader?
"I wasnt a great communicator, but I communicated great things."
–Reagan in his farewell address as president.
Voice Their Dreams
A great leader is able to rally their people and give them hope and a sense of ownership. If there is a common goal and a shared vision throughout your team, there is a greater chance that your goal will be attained. This doesn't apply for business leaders only though. What about a group of friends? How about in a school committee meeting? If you're able to identify with your peers and your friends they'll transform into followers and will rally behind you. The key is to voice their dreams and do what you can to make the dream a reality.
The challenge is that it's hard! It's tough to not be direct and get what you want instantly. But rather than telling others what you want, tell others what they want. Tell them how to achieve your goals by voicing their dreams, hopes, and beliefs. There's no use in telling your people something they don't care about. There's no use in voicing how you feel about a situation if your people feel otherwise. You must identify with them before you're able to persuade.
"If you would persuade, you must appeal to interest rather than intellect."–Benjamin Franklin
When you can identify with your audience (whomever that may be), you build rapport, and you build a level of common understanding that allows your followers to be inspired, motivated, and ready to attain the unattainable. To achieve success when all was doomed to fail.
The Power Of "We"
Its difficult to step out of your own shoes (and ego), and allow others to help you grow, succeed or achieve. After all, we all love to take credit for something that we had a part in, even with a limited role. For example, look at movie credits. You see how many people are listed even the guy who swept the floor behind the scenes gets his few seconds of fame in the credits!
Oftentimes when speaking, we focus on the singular: "I", "Me", and "My". That is: "I completed this job" or "I want it my way" or "Me! Me! Me!" But it doesn't work that way! Not if you want to successfully persuade your people towards your side.
CHALLENGE: In everyday life, when speaking to others use words like "we" and "us" rather than the very common singular words. It helps identify with others and makes them feel as though they are an integral part of a team. They'll quickly notice it! In fact, if you're lucky enough, you might even see one of them perk up and crack a smile of excitement.A great leader focuses their efforts on praising their team and uses words like "We", "Us" and "the Team". Not only does it inspire the others to achieve further success with you, but it also builds rapport so theyll want to work with you again.
Besides, its much more powerful to say "We." Its much more intimidating to say "We confronted, we conquered." It'll sound like youve got a big following behind you, and with the right persuasive communication techniques, you soon will!
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Published: August 17, 2004
