The Art of Persuasion: Listening with Intent

When people talk, listen completely.

—Ernest Hemingway, writing For Whom the Bell Tolls (1939, by Lloyd Arnold; Public Domain)

We have all been there: while talking to someone, we can sense that our words are flying right by them. Perhaps they are considering what they will say next, or maybe they simply do not care what we have to say. Character is revealed by the way we listen to others. Listen intently, let the speaker see that you value their words, and you will gain an ally. Show disinterest, and you have unwittingly made an enemy. 

—Mike Hazell

John Wayne on Commanding Respect

Talk low, talk slow, and don’t say too much.

—John Wayne (Unknown photographer; Public Domain) 

An Important Component of Charisma

The secret of the man who is universally interesting is that he is universally interested.

— William Dean Howells (1920, by Underwood & Underwood; Public Domain)

The Art of Persuasion

People are generally better persuaded by the reasons which they have themselves discovered than by those which have come into the mind of others.

—Blaise Pascal (1690; Creative Commons)

The ability to persuade, to get a person or group of people to take a specific action or accept a certain belief, is an important trait of a leader. He or she who can persuade will go far in life, and generally live with a higher degree of happiness. Inversely, he or she who cannot effectively persuade will have a more difficult time in life, generally experiencing a lower sense of control, and having a lower level of happiness.

The great news, however, is that this trait can be learned and developed by anyone at any stage of life. Instead of getting frustrated that others won’t take a certain action or accept a certain belief, constantly work to cultivate the soil and plant the seeds in their minds, and let them come to the desired conclusion on their own. If done for the right reasons, this ability to persuade can have a profound impact on one’s life.

—MSH, Penn Wealth

The Art and Science of Persuasion

The very essence of all power to influence lies in getting the other person to participate. The mind that can do that has a powerful leverage on his human world.

—Harry Allen Overstreet (Photo licensed)

Don’t underestimate the importance of developing the power of persuasion—the ability to get others to take some specific course of action. Not only will this skill play a critical role in determining your success or failure in business, it can also have a massive impact on your overall happiness in life.

It may appear that certain people have a natural talent to influence others, but don’t despair; this ability is based on a science that can be studied, and is an art which can be developed. Decide, right now, to increase your own power to influence others. Study the tools, techniques, and actions used by successful influencers, and practice using them—even in the most modest manner—each and every day.

—MSH, Penn Wealth

Assure Your Words have a Purpose in Mind

Words empty as the wind are best left unsaid.

—Homer (Public Domain)