When you want to be persuasive, it's therefore crucial to know what messages your body is sending, and how to adjust your physicality to better draw people in. Here are seven secrets to get you moving in the right direction.
1. Smile. When was the last time you were won over by someone in a bad mood? Grumpiness can be endearing in aging relatives, but it kills the sale every time. The rule is simple: be likeable, and people will like you. You are more influential in your business communication when you project an air of friendliness and positive thinking. Even someone who doesn't agree with you at first may find himself slowly coming to see your side of things.
2. Shake hands. Always greet people with a handshake: it lessens the distance between you, both physical and emotional. Use a firm grip-not too tight-and hold the other person's right elbow with your left hand. In general, subtle touching of the hands, forearms, and sometimes shoulders can be quite persuasive when done naturally and appropriately. Use your judgment and don't cross limits set by comfort or culture.
3. Open your posture. An open stance will make you appear inviting and easy to talk to-both crucial elements of influence. Don't cross your arms or hunch your shoulders; instead, use your hands to add to your argument (see number six) and straighten up that spine. Throw your shoulders back and lift or tilt your head slightly. You will project confidence and friendliness, and put the other person at ease.
4. Make eye contact. It's one of the easiest ways of establishing a connection between you and other people: hold their gaze. Studies show that public speakers who use eye contact with their audience are perceived as more persuasive than those who don't. And everyone who's ever been flirtatious knows that there's nothing like a little eye-to-eye action to arouse someone's interest. Looking elsewhere indicates boredom and apathy, two things you definitely don't want to suggest while you're trying to win an argument.
5. Nod. Active listening is an important part of persuasion, and nodding slightly while the other person is speaking demonstrates that you're paying attention. Some people are afraid to show any sign of commitment or agreement-but by acknowledging that the other person has something valuable to say, you show respect and earn it in return.
6. Match your gestures to your words. Gestures can be effective in adding oomph to your argument. Take your cue from stage actors (whose job, after all, is to persuade the audience to suspend disbelief and submit to the drama): a clenched fist evokes anger or frustration, while a palm extended upwards suggests that you are open and receptive-a better bet when getting people to your side.
7. Mirror the other person. We are often most comfortable with people who think, speak, and act like us. Thus you can make someone feel at ease simply by mirroring his actions-tilting your head in a similar manner, or speaking slowly to match his pace. Keep it understated, otherwise he might think you're mocking him (not conducive to persuasion!).
Once you've practiced these seven things, they will become automatic and natural for you-leaving you more time to study your facts and craft that winning argument to perfection.
While the importance of setting goals is uncontested, the way in which it is set is always confused and misunderstood by many of us. Setting goals is a complicated matter, with its own share of different parameters and requirements. Before you set your goals, you will need to study all those intricacies of goals and its importance in life. Setting goals for your life also involve some amount of intelligence and smartness, as setting goals and writing them on a piece of paper also needs prior knowledge. A goal is akin to a destination or a place where one wants to reach. The manner in which you reach that destination, however, varies from place to place. The big city of New York can be reached in several hundred ways, by plane, ship, and road and even by walking.
You can also take thousands of routes to reach Manhattan. But to reach New York, you need a map as well, without which youre lost on the way. Plainly speaking, to reach New York, you would have made several decisions; first of all you decide to go to New York and then you create a goal in your mind that somehow youll reach New York. Once you have decided, you will also prepare your travel schedule and fix a date to reach the city. You may visit a bookshop find a detailed map of the world and the city. This may help you to find the bearing and the location of the city. This map will help you to reach your ultimate destination.
There are many lessons in the examples given above:
1. New York is your goal and a clear destination, and you want to reach it at any cost. 2. The place where youre living now is comparable to your present status in life 3. The travel map is similar to your action plan to reach the goal. However, you can even change your travel plan from time to time. Travel map is your compass and a guide. 4. Once you start from your home town and start traveling to New York, you would have put into motion your action plan. This is the execution stage of your whole operation.
However the most important aspect that is observed in the above example is that you set a goal that is not negotiable and that can not be changed at any cost, once it is decided that you want that particular thing or object. This analogy demonstrates the importance of goals in our daily life.
Goal setting must be treated as a noble work, as it assures people to reach their favorite dreams and aspirations. When you write down your goals and read them everyday, youll also remember that noble task, just because you want to catch your dream as soon as possible. Goal setting is powerful and once your goals are reached, you will reach your pinnacle. Start setting goals today, at least to buy a pair of shoes! You will realize its importance only when you find its immense potential.
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Courtland Bovee has sinced written about articles on various topics from Body Language, Blogging and Other Business. Courtland L. Bovee, one of America's leading instructors in clear and effective communication, co-authors several leading college-level texts with John V. Thill, a prominent communications consultant and current Chairman and Chief Execut. Courtland Bovee's top article generates over 2900 views. to your Favourites.
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