The Technique of Perfect Persuasion

Have you ever been in a situation where you thought (or maybe even knew) that you had the best idea or solution to problem. However, your manager chose a different path. Don't take it personally, it was likely because you did not present it the right way.

Here are 5 keys to ensure that have the highest possibility for your idea to get accepted:

Key 1: Know Your Audience

This may be common sense, but I've managed some very intelligent people with great ideas, however, they unappreciated the importance of knowing the audience they were addressing. How could you address the CEO and an entry-level member the same way?

Every person is different: they are interested in different things; process information differently; learn differently; have different values or visions.

So? All the power to them. You're just going to have to handle every situation differently. It's more work and energy, but it was profound impact.

Key 2: Stategize and Conquer

Having worked with intense, highly successful, and stubborn bosses made presenting my ideas difficult. However, you can still get your way at the end, regardless of the challenging situations.

You have to accept that rarely can you have your idea accepted with just one conversation. Most times, it takes multiple conversations with multiple people and with different sets of people. There is a technique you must follow:

Who to Win Over

First, you must determine all the obstacles in your way--the people who have interests in your idea and implementing it.

For example, you might want to change the way your company makes purchases. So, perhaps you need to convince the Finance Director, the President, and the CEO.

In What Order?

To get your game-changing idea accepted, you may choose to plan a meeting with all three stakeholders at once at the end of the day, and I may choose to call that a bone-headed move. Are you really going to convince all three powerhouses at once? No, you won't. In fact, the idea will get shot down, and ordered never to be spoken of again.

A better option might be to start with the Finance Director. Win him or her over first. It might take a few attempts, but once you do, then you can go to your President together and pitch the idea. Two people going against your celebrated company President might be a battle that I might bet on you to win. I'm sure you know what's next--yes, the three of you bully your CEO into submission till you idea wins.

Plant the Seed

The more 'against the grain' the idea, the longer you need to plot and scheme for you to ultimately win. More conversations, with the same person, and then more conversations with more people, and then different groups of people. But this is reality. People will not change their minds overnight. Some ideas take months to come to fruition.

With this knowledge, you need to determine the estimated timeline. Work on presenting to people over long periods of time. Work on the people of interest. Trust that they will come around eventually. Don't expect to have five conversations in five consecutive days will make you win any easier. In fact, it's a turn off and appear too direct. Have five conversations over three weeks. Each time, you will cunningly get closer. The longer the gaps, the more they won't even know what's happening.

Plant the seed. Plant another one. Add water, and more water. Watch it grow.

Key 3: All About Presentation

The way you present your idea can't be stressed enough. It may be the difference between a poor idea being accepted, and a great one being dismissed.

Make it Professional

Just walking over and speaking to someone about your idea is never a good thing. Despite however small the idea, change, or request might seem, people will take you more seriously if you have (at the very least) with your points printed out. Remember things like spacing, grammar, bold headings, title pages, use of colours, images, and charts only add to your chances of success. It's quick, but these small things go a long way.

Even if you are asking your boss for a raise, just asking will not be as effective as having a printed out document of your highlighted contributions.

Elephant in the Room

How often are your ideas without at least one negative point? Never. If it was flawless, your company probably would have done it already.

People you are presenting to are intelligent (most often). They can figure out some of the flaws in your argument while you are presenting. That's fine, address the elephant in the room before they do. It will make you sound more credible. It will also give confidence to your audience that you have already considered the drawbacks to your argument, otherwise the counter-arguments will gather momentum like an unstoppable bullet train.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Your Finance Director may love their dosage of spreadsheets in the afternoon, your President loves intelligent conversations in early mornings, and your CEO wants to know the net impact of your idea. You can't use the same presentation for all three parties. Give them what they want and the way they want it when you present.

Key 4: Start With A Bang

Some say, save the best for last. Maybe that works for movies, but not the business world. People are mentally occupied, have short attention spans, or don't have the 30 minutes you need to present your full case. You need to start with attention-grabbing statements so they are interested in hearing you out for a longer period of time.

If your boss loves to save money, start with "I figured out a way we can save $55,000 by the end of the year." That will grab their attention immediately while you lay out the onslaught.

Key 5: Use The Audience

The masters of persuasion have amazing abilities to read people. They have a way to use the audience perfectly in their favour. It's not magic, but you need to master it too to get your way.

Agree with the Audience

An easy way to persuade is making the audience think that are part of the idea--that came played a big role in coming up with it. When someone has a point similar to one of yours, say something like, "I was thinking of what you said when I incorporated this point. You are absolutely correct." The pat-on-the-back moment allows your audience to sway in your direction.

Some masters can even do this when the audience argues a contradictory point.

Observe Body Language

When you present, it is critical to observe every cue of unsaid feedback from your audience. What is their facial expressions, tone, or posture as you say each words? Mold your tones and your sentences constantly during your meeting to keep them engaged and swaying in your favour.

Choose your words carefully

Never be caught in a lie. Yes, it is okay to embellish, or be vague during your discussion. Make sure to you don't find yourself during the meeting or weeks later explaining false information in your presented. You will lose credibility of your idea or your long-term reputation.

I hope these help you get what you are asking for in your job (or even your personal life). You do have the capability of winning any argument you make.