Are you starting a career in management or business and looking to improve your persuasion skills? Whether you want to advocate for the right solution, sell something, or win colleagues over to your idea, we have several tips that can help. Forget about nagging, manipulation, ordering others around, or constant repetition you’re unlikely to achieve much that way. Instead, try one (or more) of our 7 proven methods.
1. Offer something in return
Do you need your colleagues’ support for a task or strategy? If they are not fully convinced, you can win them over by offering something in return. Whether it’s helping them with a similar task, supporting them in a meeting vote, handling unpleasant paperwork, or putting in a good word with the boss, the “something for something” principle works in almost every situation – and has for centuries.
2. Use likability and rapport
Likability goes a long way – you don’t always need to bring in an especially charismatic colleague. A friendly expression and a genuine smile can make a big difference, as can focusing on shared interests. Starting a conversation with common ground such as the same hometown, a favorite movie, or sports results – can quickly pay off. It’s also helpful to adapt your communication style to the person you’re speaking with. If you mirror their tone and approach, they will feel more comfortable and be more open to your ideas.
3. Rely on authority and experience
One proven persuasion technique is referring to respected people or authorities. “A well-known actress uses our shampoo and has beautiful hair.” “A leading Czech doctor, a top expert in the field, recommends it.” “The manager thinks so too.” People tend to look up to authority figures and public personalities and often want to align themselves with them, making them more likely to accept your viewpoint.
It also helps to mention the experiences of others who already support your product or idea. You can refer to hundreds of positive reviews, high rankings in product comparisons, certifications, and similar endorsements.
4. Don’t be afraid of anchoring and negotiation
Anchoring is a psychological concept describing how people base their decisions on the first piece of information they receive – the “anchor.” This initial reference point then shapes further decision-making, which is why anchoring is widely used in business.
For example, you might propose a significantly higher price as the first anchor, which the other party rejects. Negotiations will then move toward lowering the price, but the final agreed price will likely still be higher than the actual value because the original anchor was set high.
5. Speak clearly and simply
Using overly complex sentences, foreign words, and technical jargon is not the best strategy. People tend to subconsciously disagree with statements they don’t fully understand, which can easily happen if you overcomplicate your language. Speaking clearly and simply makes it much easier to persuade others.
6. Build relationships
It is much harder to persuade someone you have just met especially if they hold an opposing view or are reluctant to buy from you than someone with whom you have already built a relationship. Try to get to know your colleagues and clients beyond just work or business. Learn about their interests and aim to maintain positive interactions. If your relationship is based solely on task assignments or money, persuasion becomes much more difficult.
7. Don’t push too hard or go to extremes
If someone clearly indicates they are not interested and are unlikely to change their mind, don’t keep pushing. You may appear desperate, damage the relationship for the future, and reduce the chances that they will want to work with you again.
The ability to communicate effectively, sell products and ideas, and persuade others should be among the core skills of every manager. Where can you develop them? In an MBA program, you can learn from experienced professionals.
