How do you Persuade Your Team and Other Audiences?

2 Establish rapport

The second step to persuade your team and other audiences is to build rapport and trust with them. You need to show that you respect them, value them, and listen to them. You can do this by using positive body language, eye contact, and vocal variety, by expressing appreciation and recognition, and by asking open-ended questions and inviting feedback. You can also use techniques like mirroring, matching, and pacing to subtly align your behavior and language with your audience, and create a sense of connection and similarity.

3 Appeal to logic

The third step to persuade your team and other audiences is to appeal to their logic and reason. You need to present a clear, coherent, and compelling argument that supports your position, goal, or proposal. You can do this by using facts, figures, and examples, by providing evidence and references, and by using logical structures and frameworks, such as the problem-solution-benefit model or the AIDA model (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action). You can also use techniques like contrast, comparison, and analogy to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of your proposition, and to show how it relates to your audience's situation and needs.

4 Appeal to emotion

The fourth step to persuade your team and other audiences is to appeal to their emotions and feelings. You need to stir up their interest, curiosity, and enthusiasm, and to address their fears, doubts, and objections. You can do this by using stories, anecdotes, and testimonials, by using vivid language and imagery, and by using rhetorical devices like repetition, parallelism, and triads. You can also use techniques like framing, priming, and anchoring to influence how your audience perceives and evaluates your message, and to create a positive association and memory.

5 Appeal to ethics

The fifth step to persuade your team and other audiences is to appeal to their ethics and values. You need to demonstrate your credibility, integrity, and authenticity, and to show that your message is aligned with their beliefs, principles, and goals. You can do this by using testimonials, endorsements, and social proof, by sharing your credentials, experience, and achievements, and by expressing your passion, commitment, and vision. You can also use techniques like reciprocity, scarcity, and consistency to leverage the principles of persuasion and influence, and to motivate your audience to take action.

6 Call to action

The final step to persuade your team and other audiences is to call them to action. You need to tell them clearly and confidently what you want them to do next, how they can do it, and why they should do it. You can do this by using imperative verbs, by creating a sense of urgency and importance, and by highlighting the benefits and outcomes of your proposition. You can also use techniques like the rule of three, the power of because, and the Zeigarnik effect to make your call to action memorable, persuasive, and effective.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?