How The Best Managers Can Be More Persuasive With Their Team

Baby boomers, generation X and millennials are an all new breed of employees that no longer want to listen to a boss blindly and follow instructions to a tee.

This is why one of the most important managerial skills to possess nowadays is persuasion.

The best managers know how to persuade their team members to do what they need them to without having to micromanage.

Read below to find out tips from the best leaders and how to improve your own persuasion skills.

According to Harvard Business Review, persuasion is not about convincing somebody to do something the way you want them to, but is instead “a process of learning from others and negotiating a shared solution.”

The source states that four main elements make up successful persuasion:

Establishing Credibility

If you want to persuade your employees in a certain direction, you need to build your credibility.

Doing so is not a one-step deal, but a process that requires you to show your expertise in an area.

Why should your employees believe that you know what to do better than they do?

Simply because you have the higher position is not enough of a reason.

You must make your team members understand that you are an expert in your field.

Share your education and experience with them so that they can be certain that you know what you’re talking about.

Finding Common Ground

If you want your staff to listen to you and do a task the way you want them to, you must find common ground so that they see the benefits of the change.

Many times, individuals think that their bosses want them to do something only because they don’t know a better way.

They may falsely believe that changing their status quo will cause them to work harder or longer hours.

Listen to their concerns and address them if you truly want them to adapt your way of thinking.

Providing Vivid Evidence

If you want to persuade your employees to change course, show them the benefits of doing so.

Whether it will help them be more productive, or be better for the company, find common ground to show them the positives of jumping on your bandwagon.

Harvard Business Review recommends using “vivid-even over-the-top-stories, metaphors and examples” to make your arguments “come to life.”

Finding An Emotional Connection

Emotional intelligence is an essential part of persuasion; you must have the ability to sense other people’s moods and understand behaviours in order to persuade.

For example, if someone is clearly not open to your ideas, they can show that by crossing their arms, avoiding eye contact or constantly interrupting – that is a sign that your persuasion tactics are not working.

Finding a way to bond with your colleagues and respond to their emotional states in a way that will get them to open up and listen to you will help you become much more persuasive.

Thanks again

Mark Williams

Head of Training and Development

MTD Training