Why not paint a persuasive picture?

Over the past few weeks, we’ve shared strategies to help you take smart risks, from?creating a safety net?to?focusing on the rewards. However, sometimes the final decision is out of your hands – and you have to persuade someone else to take a risk.

For example, perhaps you’re convincing a senior colleague to invest in new software. Your first instinct may be to put together a fairly dry list of pros (greater efficiency) and cons (cost).

Instead, try to get them invested by painting a picture of the benefits that could be reaped:

• Will there be a personal advantage for them, by gaining kudos from the board?
• What strategic campaigns will your team finally launch with the time that’s freed up?
• Is the user-friendly software going to increase partners’ willingness to track their BD activity?

When you’re next persuading someone to make a potentially risky decision, be creative and help them visualise the exciting payoffs.

“Persuasion is often more about understanding the other person’s needs and motivations than it is about crafting a perfect argument.”?

– Daniel H. Pink

Originally published here.