I have always believed that persuasion is very hard to master. It can
definitely be achieved, but multiple things need to go right for it to
happen. There is timing involved, there is a need for the right setting
and the audience's ability to listen (LISTEN: Blog Post). But most importantly there should be trust.
On the other hand, there is always the "bulldoze" method of achieving one's goal(s). There are circumstances where people have and/ or have been forced into acceptance literally and successfully.
Right or wrong? One better than the other? I might not be the best choice to answer that question currently. Why? Well because we are dealing with an audience that finds logic and reason hard to fathom. The situation can be controlled only partially and even then, sometimes, very temporarily. Let us take an example of trying to put an infant to bed. Just for giggles, let us add to that the factor that the infant is having a lot of fun (or the other extreme of supreme crankiness) and does not want to sleep. Mere details like time of the day, or tired parents or schedule make little sense.That is where persuasion comes in very handy. Something else that takes on a role of huge significance is a team-mate that can be relied upon (especially at 3:00 am). Multiple studies and experiments have revealed innumerable approaches to handle the situation. I do not believe that any parent would have had success "just off the bat". There is a lot of trial and error and experimenting that happens on a daily basis but the sight of the final goal, of the household decibel value going down a notch or sleep of a few, but cherished, hours, is never lost.
In a lot of ways, that is quite similar to dealing with clients. A client might be very happy in their current situation (example: happy with their current IT infrastructure) and might not want to take the next step (example: Much needed infrastructure upgrade). Or, the client might be very upset (example: internal disputes or suffering from unreal or high expectations) and not in the condition to take the decision(s) that might be good for them in the long run. It all comes down to convincing them to listen, trust and appreciate your better judgment.
Both situations demand that we lay the foundation of the relationship based on trust and not shy away from making unpopular and sometimes seemingly unfriendly choices. Both situations are based on having the audience's best interest at heart. Both require, a lot of times, an infinite amount of patience.
On the other hand, there is always the "bulldoze" method of achieving one's goal(s). There are circumstances where people have and/ or have been forced into acceptance literally and successfully.
 | |
| The best picture (worth a thousand words as the saying goes) I could find. Credit to www.themotivationalposters.com |
Right or wrong? One better than the other? I might not be the best choice to answer that question currently. Why? Well because we are dealing with an audience that finds logic and reason hard to fathom. The situation can be controlled only partially and even then, sometimes, very temporarily. Let us take an example of trying to put an infant to bed. Just for giggles, let us add to that the factor that the infant is having a lot of fun (or the other extreme of supreme crankiness) and does not want to sleep. Mere details like time of the day, or tired parents or schedule make little sense.That is where persuasion comes in very handy. Something else that takes on a role of huge significance is a team-mate that can be relied upon (especially at 3:00 am). Multiple studies and experiments have revealed innumerable approaches to handle the situation. I do not believe that any parent would have had success "just off the bat". There is a lot of trial and error and experimenting that happens on a daily basis but the sight of the final goal, of the household decibel value going down a notch or sleep of a few, but cherished, hours, is never lost.
In a lot of ways, that is quite similar to dealing with clients. A client might be very happy in their current situation (example: happy with their current IT infrastructure) and might not want to take the next step (example: Much needed infrastructure upgrade). Or, the client might be very upset (example: internal disputes or suffering from unreal or high expectations) and not in the condition to take the decision(s) that might be good for them in the long run. It all comes down to convincing them to listen, trust and appreciate your better judgment.
Both situations demand that we lay the foundation of the relationship based on trust and not shy away from making unpopular and sometimes seemingly unfriendly choices. Both situations are based on having the audience's best interest at heart. Both require, a lot of times, an infinite amount of patience.
No comments:
Post a Comment