Use the art of persuasion to fast track to the top

Being persuasive involves convincing others to adopt a particular viewpoint or course of action and can be a very useful skill to have in the workplace. Here, we take a look at how you can win over both colleagues and management to become more influential in the office.

First off, research shows that we’re far more likely to be persuaded to help out colleagues who have already done something for us. So show how obliging you can be in order to reap the rewards. Also, take an interest in other people’s goals and values – that way you can work out why they might want to listen to your argument.

Not all tactics will work with everyone – learn to adapt your style in line with the body language (as well as the actual, verbal language) of the person with whom you’re interacting. Empathy and tolerance go a long way towards talking someone round to your point of view.

Building on this concept, look for shared objectives to help establish a bond with the other person – engaging with them at the right level makes it far more likely that they will acquiesce to your request.

Having personal integrity is essential; the more credible you are as an individual in terms of both your reputation and qualifications, the more other people will buy into your persuasive nature. Similarly, having a good sense of humour will get you where you want to go – be sure to make them laugh and you’re half way to winning them over.

Appeal to people’s emotions rather than their more rational nature, as they’re more likely to come round to your way of thinking if you tug at their heartstrings rather than focus on a common sense approach.

While you may be keen to convince people that your plan is the only one worth considering, sounding desperate will just have the opposite effect to that intended – focus on being upbeat in your attitude.

Visualisation is a popular technique to help individuals achieve their aims, so why not incorporate it into your tactics of persuasion? If colleagues can imagine a virtual picture of the outcome of your plan they’re liable to be influenced by it.

Lastly, remember to be polite – losing your temper and shouting the odds are guaranteed to put people off. Treat co-workers with courtesy and respect and they’re far more likely to be on your side.

To read the original article by Myriam Balerio, the found of PA Privé, go to pa-prive.com/how-to-be-more-persuasive-at-work/