Prosper News: April 2007
Dear Student:
Spring is here. All around us we can see the flowers blossoming, trees are in bloom, and life is renewed. Many people take this time to perform a deep cleaning of their houses or apartments.
Just as you clean your house and get rid of all of the unnecessary clutter, we urge you to take this time to get rid of the excess baggage that may be holding you back as you strive to implement your education. Each one of us believes that we know what is possible. When in fact, it may be these same thoughts that serve as limitations. Overcome these thoughts and see how far you can go.
Your Friends at Prosper, Inc.
The Power of Persuasion
Helping Others Value Your Ideas
Your ability to persuade those around you is an invaluable skill. Whether you are dealing with your spouse, a co-worker, your boss, or even a complete stranger, your ability to help them understand and accept your ideas will pay great dividends in both your personal and professional endeavors. Persuasion is a skill that should not be ignored or taken lightly.
Many people fail to understand the difference between persuasion and manipulation. However, there is a distinct difference between these two words. While both are forms of influence, persuasion is a process of guiding others to accept and act upon an idea, action, or attitude. Persuasion is generally brought about by a rational, concrete data. It relies on appeals to logic rather than force. As a general rule, persuasion is meant for the benefit of the whole rather than the individual.
Manipulation, on the other hand, is generally intended for the gain of the individual. The changes are often brought about as a result of appeals to emotion or through force. Generally, the change is not in the best interest of the person being manipulated.
Although you have probably met someone who has the ability to gather support for his or her ideas, seemingly without effort, the ability to persuade people is a skill. It must be learned, honed, and practiced. Those who have developed the art of persuasion, thereby unlocking its power, have done it through practice.
The following process will help you as you seek to hone your persuasion skills:
Identify the Problem
There is an adage that states, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." There needs to be a valid reason for change. Attempting to implement a change in attitude, create new action, or develop a new idea may be a frustrating and fruitless process if there is no problem that will be solved through the process.
The very essence of effective change is to improve. Therefore, unless you can identify a valid problem, most people are more than happy to continue at status quo.
Do Your Research
Once you have identified a problem, you must research it to find out what types of issues it may be causing. In some cases, you may find something you perceive to be a significant problem may not have any bearing on the success or failure of your endeavor.
Once you have gathered data that supports the need to change, your next task is to organize the data in a form that will easily illustrate the need to others. The data must provide a clear view of the problem. You will also need to show alternatives.
Another strategy that you may employ is to gather ideas from those around you. Ask those working what ideas they may have. Not only does this brainstorming activity improve your understanding of the problem, but when a solution is presented they can attach to the elements of the solution that they proposed and find the rest of the solution easier to accept.
Develop a Solution
Once you have identified a problem and researched the potential effects of the problem, you must now develop a solution. Remember, the better thought out the plan is, the more people will realize that it is not just a whim or a passing thought. Also, realize that the solution should be beneficial to the group as a whole, not simply a few individuals within it.
The solution should be as easy to follow as possible. Eliminate any extra and unnecessary steps. Organize the solution and point out the benefits that will come as a result of the change. Support the solution with facts that you gathered during your research. Make it clear that the changes will improve the situation.
Present Your Idea
You have probably heard the phrase, "Presentation is everything." The way that you present your idea will go a long way towards its acceptance. Even though your idea makes sense to you, and you have gathered feedback from those around you, it will likely be the first time that the people you present to will be faced with making a change.
The very way that you phrase your idea may determine its acceptance. If you begin by asking, "Why don't we…?" There will likely be someone in your audience that can think of at least one reason not to carry out your idea. Instead, present the problem and then, present the solution with a phrase such as, "I think that this problem would be best solved by…"
Once you have presented your idea, open up for feedback. Do not be offended by suggestions. You may find that incorporating even small ideas from the group into your solution may greatly improve it. Also, feedback on ways to improve the solution may be tacit approval of the idea. Incorporating feedback will also give those within the group a sense of ownership in the decision as well.
As you become more and more persuasive, you will find more and more of your ideas implemented in the groups with which you are involved. You will find yourself a key member of these groups and feel more at home.
