Persuasion: It’s the Difference-Maker

Have you ever wondered why two different people with similar skills, opportunities and backgrounds can have two very different results?

Many things come into play - from exposure to relationships to timing, skills, resilience, agility, to just plain luck. This blog is about how persuasion is both an art and a science.

Persuasion can be that difference-maker. If you’re persuasive, you can achieve access to opportunities big and small. In my own life and career, I’ve learned how to leverage persuasion to create new opportunities, to open doors, and to build networks. 

The way I see it, it’s a matter of blending the left and the right brain - persuasion is both a science and an art! 

Think of a drill sergeant chanting with the Rights and the Lefts…

RIGHT: It starts with the right brain. It’s your heart or your gut that tells you that you must persuade someone in order for something to progress. If your gut and heart are ‘in’, go to the next step, using your left brain.

LEFT: With your left brain, you can assess whether it’s the right time and a viable option to make that persuasive request. If it’s a ‘yes’, go to the next step. 

LEFT: Once approved, the left brain can then create the framework or guardrails so that you can think through HOW to best make the ask. Setting up criteria for who to ask, what the goals are, how everyone will benefit, when to ask, etc., strategically positions you for a successful ask. Pass this framework to the right brain.

RIGHT: With this framework in place, the right brain can strategically and creatively brainstorm options for persuading specific people to undertake a specific task or action in order to make progress toward a specific goal. That list of options is next passed back to the left brain.

LEFT: With these options identified, the left brain can select the most strategic plan, clearly understanding why each person, reason, timing, goals, incentives, communication style was selected.

RIGHT: Before you implement, ask your right brain, ‘Does your conclusion make sense in your gut? Is it worth the effort?’ If yes, proceed, if no, stop, if unsure, research further before deciding.

LEFT: Allow your left brain to oversee the tasks and plans, with the intent of delivering results.

RIGHT: With your right brain, evaluate how you did beyond the results - with the relationship, with the overarching goal, with the process, with the timing. 

LEFT: With your left brain, evaluate the quantitative and qualitative results and consider what’s next to progress your goal.

I hope that this post helps you think through how to blend the science and art of persuasion in order to authentically progress toward your goals through partnership.