Whatever the type of decision, its success will depend on the support it gathers from the people who are meant to implement it. How to be persuasive and communicate with impact?
Show that you take other points of view in consideration
-
Consider your audience’s perspective, e.g. Identify all the interests of your stakeholders and show how your decision addresses their concerns.
-
Adapt your message to the situation and the audience, e.g. Use their vocabulary to have a greater impact.
-
Vary your presentation style to reach the greatest possible audience, e.g. Some people will respond to statistical data, whereas others prefer «storytelling», etc.
Communicate your decision with conviction and authenticity
-
Pay attention to the coherence of your body language with the message you want to convey, e.g. Adopt an energetic posture when you introduce a strategy of conquest.
-
Don’t try and please at any cost, e.g. Let the debate develop among the participants: this phase is often necessary to reach a deep and sincere agreement.
-
Answer your opponents, but never forget to provide your proponents with a proper case to secure their support, e.g. Take all relevant suggestions into consideration to make the project all the more attractive.
Take action
Describe your project as if an epic (30 min)
Using storytelling helps to mobilize team members and brings the message across.
Be ready to describe the project you are leading as if it were an epic, with heroes, obstacles, intermediary steps and a beautiful discovery at the end!
Once the storyboard is defined, add concrete détails to communicate the realism of your project.
Choose a vocabulary that calls on emotions: try to warrant curiosity, to create suspense, to communicate a satisfactory feeling once the project is completed.
Practice in front of a “friendly” audience that will provide feedback on the emotions aroused by your story and its power of conviction.
Involve a “supporter” for your project (30 min)
It is more effective to garner support by relying on your allies rather than trying to convince your opponents.
Identify a supporter for your project: someone who is favorable to it, even if keeping a certain distance.
Help the supporter by entrusting him/her with a mission that, ideally, relies on his/her strong competencies. E.g.: contributing in a forum, managing a workshop, following up progress, designing posters.
Ensure you keep him/her regularly informed: the supporter will thus be able to help you convince the reluctant or opposing ones.
Map your supporters and opponents (15 min)
A project succeeds when the majority of the stakeholders decide to implement it.
Who are your active allies, ready to get involved? They will be the ones to mobilize to help convince others.
Who are the most vocal opponents? Make sure you do not give them all your energy. Your challenge consists mostly in channeling them to minimize their influence on the hesitant people.
Who seems dissatisfied or skeptical, without necessarily expressing it? It will be important to engage dialogue with them to convince them.
Who is rather favorable, without committing? The more you get them involved, the more chances to transform them into real allies.
Practical Tips
> Rally people behind your project
> How to ensure progress in a highly contested project
Find out more
> Rally the entire workforce for effective change management
© Managéris