Be More Persuasive With A Story

Be More Persuasive With A Story

Getting what you want always takes a lot of work, but The Wall Street Journal suggests that one way to make it easier on yourself is to start telling better stories.

Photo by Clement G.

The idea here is that when you use storytelling tricks to get your point across, people are going to be more responsive. This is true in everything from PowerPoint conversations to business deals. The Wall Street Journal explains why:

Find ways to connect with your audience on an emotional level, says Mr. Atkinson. Neuroscientists have discovered that most decisions — whether people realise it or not — are informed by emotional responses. Do some legwork to find significant events in your audience’s lives or your own that you can base your story on or use to reinforce your points, he says.

This can include dropping in anecdotes about taking care of a sick family member or a memorable customer story, says Mr. Smith, now a corporate trainer and author of “Lead With a Story: A Guide to Crafting Business Narratives That Captivate, Convince, and Inspire.”

We’ve heard before that storytelling causes a lot to happen in our brains, and tapping into a person’s imagination is a great way to be more persuasive in general. In this case, it’s more about applying that knowledge to more of what we do on a day to day basis. From presentations to meeting at work, a good story goes a long way in getting what you want.

To Persuade People, Tell Them a Story [The Wall Street Journal]


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