Are Tiny Words Persuasive?
Juliet Huck
Persuasion Strategist and presentation designer helping clients secure billions in decisions, Podcast Host of Trauma, Trial, Transformation, Author, Speaker - business in LA for over 25 years.
Robert Mueller popped out of his silence to give his very limited and controlled press conference as he walked the tightrope of historical policy. After two years of anticipation of hearing him speak in public for the first time, he came and went within minutes.
He delivered a message that was controlled and crafted like an old typographer who laid every letter into the antique letterpress with precision. His choice of words was very interesting. It was the small words that spoke loudly. His words like “if”, “could” or “should” created subliminal meanings but were not persuasive. He could have delivered an extremely direct sentence if he felt the facts supported it. Each of these statements conveys two completely different messages even though they have very similar words. Direct statements create conviction and the presenter becomes much more persuasive.
Every word out of Mr. Mueller’s mouth was then reviewed and analyzed with lightning speed and a magnifying glass of speculation. Each word had an emphasized meaning but not persuading anyone with a final conclusion which created the buzz of “What did he really mean?”. Being direct is a much more effective way of being persuasive.
Special Counsel became a messenger of information and removed himself as the authority which is odd for us after all the opinionated news outlets in the media today. Perhaps perfectly planned but he left a lot of room for the media frenzy of interpretation. This allowed both sides of the issues with their own self stated victory.
We hear what comes through the screen of our own believes as well as what we “want” to believe. When there is controversy, we all turn to our safe place and may overlook the power of these tiny words. Choosing to hear information based on our comfort zone is dangerous which adds another level of interpretation.
Hearing the big message in the tiny words can make great waves or calm the shores but be prepared to leave room for others interpretation which takes away from that persuasive moment.