Persuading and Influencing Others:  Why Don’t They Do What I Say?

You are a powerful person in your organization with a lot of experience and knowledge. However, have you noticed that sometimes, when make your proclamations, people don’t follow through and take action? That makes you wonder, “Why don’t they do what I say?” or “Am I getting my point across?”

Well, something could be missing. Here is a checklist to keep in mind as you prepare to persuade others. You need to include:

  • Invention – Invention means that there is something new – a new idea, new method, new twist, the latest research.
  • Disposition – Disposition is an old word for organization. The more organized the presentation of your ideas, the more credibility you have.
  • Style – Style refers to your word choice – simple language, moderately challenging vocabulary, or a grand approach…almost like listening to poetry.
  • Delivery – Delivery is the mechanical aspect of the exchange of information. It can include what channel of communication to use, email, text message, face-to-face…and nonverbal aspects such as sitting, standing, providing a handout, using visual aids, your voice, the volume, invite discussion or lead with lecture.
  • Memory – Memory is to create some sort of memory aid for your self and for the other person. Using an acronym or an acrostic helps. Having a pattern…moving left to right, top to bottom, alphabetical order, largest to smallest, closest to farthest…you get the point. Make it easy for you to remember and also easy for the other person to remember.

Do your homework and be a thought leader in your industry, organize your ideas to have the greatest impact, fine-tune your word choice, make it come to life in your delivery, and make it memorable.

Invention
Disposition
Style
Delivery
and Memory

Follow these steps and you will be wildly effective and people will most likely do what you suggest.

For more on Persuading and Influencing others, watch Kit’s presentation here. And don’t forget to check back to Welchlin.com every Monday for a new video blog.