9 Tips on Mastering the Art of Persuasion

6. Exude conviction and confidence

A lot of decision making is subjective and depends on a lot of other factors that plain examination of facts or numbers. For example, if you project enough confidence that you deserve that pay hike, then you are much more likely to land one than if you were to simply lay the case and hope for the management to decide. You need to therefore come across as someone who is sure that his demand/point of view is completely justified.

7. Be persistent but know when to stop

While engaging in persuasion there is a tightrope walk that one has to do. On the one hand, if you give up too soon in a negotiation or discussion, you stand the risk of loading out on something that was gettable. On the other hand, pushing too much can antagonize the opposite party and ruin your current as well as future chances of pushing through things. The decision to press on or pull back is made on the basis a variety of factors such as the character of the opposite party, the strength of your case, your leveraging power, so on and so forth. This is also something that gets built over experience, so start working on it immediately.

8. Pay attention

As much as you come prepared, a lot of your success in a discussion comes from taking cues from the opposite party and building on it. For this you have to listen closely; the opposite party may be dropping some clues inadvertently that may help your case. Make sure you’re not caught napping when that happens!

9. Find the right timing

What is the best time to ask for a pay raise? When your boss is about to embark on a vacation! What is the time to not discuss a major shift in your company’s strategy – on a Friday evening right before conclusion of office hours. Timing, as it is said, is everything. You have to plan your encounter with the person you desire to persuade at a time when he or she has the time and a positive frame of mind. Get your timing right and you have half the battle won!