Being persuasive is a very important and useful skill.
It allows you to prove your case, convince people who have made mistakes, and dissuade them from doing wrong.
But how do you learn to convince others?
This is quite possible if you follow a few simple rules.
Before you start convincing others, you need to try to convince yourself of something.
No, we are not talking about theses at all, in response to which one can say: "Yes". Of course, you will agree with yourself.
We are talking about arguments that must be followed by concrete action, and not just agreement.
For example, convince yourself of the need to start exercising or going on a diet.
If you haven't started doing these things for years and then suddenly convince yourself of the need to do them (and start acting), then you can try to convince others of something.
Don't try to "destroy" your interlocutor's worldview right away. You're unlikely to win the argument that way.
First, try to prove something simple to your interlocutor.
Be convinced that you are right. Don't even try to prove something if you have doubts or if you feel a lack of arguments.
The interlocutor will immediately sense your lack of confidence. And then you simply won’t be able to be convincing.
In some cases, it makes sense to avoid saying things like, “You should do this” or “Your opinion is wrong.”
Sometimes you just need to list the facts without trying to put psychological pressure on your interlocutor.
Sometimes this strategy turns out to be very effective: the other party comes to the necessary conclusion himself.
Yes, sometimes there is a temptation to bring up the most compelling argument at the very beginning of an argument.
But try to save this argument for later.
The correct way to act is to alternate strong arguments with weak ones, and present the main argument at the very end of the conversation.