New Podcast: Jason Harris - The Soulful Art of Persuasion

When I first discovered today's guests a few months ago I was attracted to the title of his book. I know that sounds strange but a friend had shared the book title on LinkedIn and along with the funky Bowie style graphics -  the words of the title - ‘The Soulful Art of Persuasion’ jumped off the page at me. 

See before that day, I had not really considered that persuasion could in fact be soulful.....well I hadn't thought about it consciously, and that is why I loved the title of this book. Because it brings an intention to the idea that influence can have integrity. The profit can have purpose, and that being a good entrepreneur, influencer or sales person, whatever it is, can just start with being a good person. A good human being. See persuasion does not need to be power over, when it can be built upon a foundation of empowerment. 

And these are all the reasons why today's guest - Jason Harris’ was a special one for me, and an interview I was incredibly honoured to host. So who is Jason Harris you may ask...Jason is the CEO and President of one of the worlds fastest growing and most successful creative agencies based out of New York - Mekanism.

As the author of The Soulful Art of Persuasion Jason believes that genuine persuasion in the 21st century is about developing character rather than relying on the easy tactics of flattery, manipulation, and short-term gains. It is about engaging rather than insisting and listening versus exploiting; it is about developing empathy and communicating your values. Most importantly, it is about winning others over to your point of view by understanding their needs rather than focusing on the pursuit of self-centered goals. 

In today's podcast we spoke about all of these themes but through a new lens...and that is the lens of Covid 19. Now I don't think any of us can predict what will happen next or how the world will change in these unprecedented times….but one thing I do know is that anything that highlights the significance of the soul and celebrates what it is to be a good human being, a centred human being….is exactly what we need to focus on next. That is the kind of persuasion that will give us purpose.