Get Permission to Persuade
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May I tell you about a way that you can involve your persuadee before you offer your proposition? ASK FOR PERMISSION! Since a question requires an answer, and a request requires consent, once you ask for permission, make sure that you wait to receive it before proceeding.
Their answer to your request gets them involved from the outset. It tells them that you have involved them in what they are about to hear because you value, recognize and appreciate them. And once someone gives you permission, his or her consent becomes the green light for you to present your persuasion proposition in an open atmosphere. Asking permission works, because anything you say with permission is bound to find a more receptive audience than anything you say without it.
Permission also gives your persuadee something to say yes to, and yes is almost always a good beginning to persuasion. In fact, asking permission is so powerful that you can continue to ask permission throughout the presentation of your proposition.
"May I describe the benefits of my proposal?" "May I offer you a demonstration?" "May I give you a sample?" Permission is a powerful persuader, because it comes from your persuadee, and means you have their consent to hear what you have to say.
Here's a classic use of asking for permission, with a funny response. Someone says to you, "May I ask you a question?" And you reply, "You just did." They then say, "May I ask you another question right after this one?" I don't know why, but that always makes me laugh!
But really, if you think it through, asking for permission to ask a question before asking the question is a wonderful way of getting someone to really think about their answer when your question comes their way. It's a heads-up that a response is desired, and it allows your persuadee to mentally get in position to answer whatever you are about to ask. It gets attention, and holds it.
© 2008 Dr. Rick Kirschner
DMH-019-010474
May I tell you about a way that you can involve your persuadee before you offer your proposition? ASK FOR PERMISSION! Since a question requires an answer, and a request requires consent, once you ask for permission, make sure that you wait to receive it before proceeding.
Their answer to your request gets them involved from the outset. It tells them that you have involved them in what they are about to hear because you value, recognize and appreciate them. And once someone gives you permission, his or her consent becomes the green light for you to present your persuasion proposition in an open atmosphere. Asking permission works, because anything you say with permission is bound to find a more receptive audience than anything you say without it.
Permission also gives your persuadee something to say yes to, and yes is almost always a good beginning to persuasion. In fact, asking permission is so powerful that you can continue to ask permission throughout the presentation of your proposition.
"May I describe the benefits of my proposal?" "May I offer you a demonstration?" "May I give you a sample?" Permission is a powerful persuader, because it comes from your persuadee, and means you have their consent to hear what you have to say.
Here's a classic use of asking for permission, with a funny response. Someone says to you, "May I ask you a question?" And you reply, "You just did." They then say, "May I ask you another question right after this one?" I don't know why, but that always makes me laugh!
But really, if you think it through, asking for permission to ask a question before asking the question is a wonderful way of getting someone to really think about their answer when your question comes their way. It's a heads-up that a response is desired, and it allows your persuadee to mentally get in position to answer whatever you are about to ask. It gets attention, and holds it.
© 2008 Dr. Rick Kirschner
DMH-019-010474
Visit Dr. Rick Kirschner's Website: http://www.theartofchange.com
More from Dr. Rick Kirschner:
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