Genuine persuasion in today''s world, says Jason Harris, CEO and founder of Mekanism, one of America''s cutting edge advertising companies, doesn''t come about as a result of manipulation, pressure tactics or trickery -- it comes about from fostering relationships and habits that nurture character, empathy, generosity and authenticity. It is about core values and utilizing your inner humanity, rather than salesmanship or deploying a bag of tricks.
In an age of pervasive social media and radical transparency, where motivations are always suspect, and facts seem to collide, being a persuasive person, in our work lives or in our personal lives, is not about persuading others to do something they don''t want to do. Genuine persuasion today is about engaging rather than insisting, developing the habits that will allow you to listen to others, communicate your goals, values and reasoning honestly, and win them over to your point of view by understanding their needs. To be persuasive today, Jason Harris says, you need to put your true self forward, and stay true to your values. It is not about going for the quick sell, or closing.
Among the eleven habits of a truly persuasive person, Harris says, are the importance of listening fully; developing a natural curiosity about other people; being attentive and keeping promises; practicing positivity -- in other words, being the kind of person that others always want around. It is about being generous, and trying to give people something in every interaction, from a compliment to a recommendation, from a piece of advice to an actual gift. It is about respecting other people''s values and motivations, and sharing the stage. It is about collaboration rather than winning. It is about personal excellence, and aiming for a higher good.
