At work, it can be important for you to stand out among your peers by showing superior judgement and ability. One of the skills that is particularly attractive when presenting in front of your managers and executive leadership is the ability to be confident and persuasive. How can you develop your own ability to be persuasive, so that you can be influential on your teams?
A key part of effectively communicating in the workplace is being able to present your perspective in a clear and concise way. A large part of having your colleagues understand your point-of-view is being able to be persuasive and convince your peers that they should also see the world the way you see it. This isn’t just about difficult conversations or “taking sides.” It’s advantageous to be persuasive in any presentation you give.
Take a look at these tips in order to be more persuasive in the workplace:
- Clearly state your position. It’s hard to be persuasive if you aren’t sure what your position actually is or if you have a hard time communicating it. It’s fine to present a solution or position that includes many different facets, but make sure you have a clear message to convey that isn’t muddled with complex vocabulary or too many ideas. Think to yourself, “what’s the one message I want to convey?”
- Do your research. While this might seem like a “no brainer,” you need to come prepared with facts and statistics to clearly back up your position. Present these facts clearly and prominently. They should be the backbone of your presentation. It’s hard to argue with good data.
- Brainstorm a list of questions your colleagues will ask you. One of the keys to being persuasive is making sure you can hold your own in the face of tough questions regarding your plan or perspective. Making a list of questions you think you will be asked and preparing answers in advance will make your case that much stronger.
- Don’t be afraid to get emotional or tell a story. Everyone can connect with a personal anecdote that explains your point-of-view or reasoning. A well-placed and masterfully told story can really help you connect with your audience emotionally.
- Practice, practice, practice. Presenting yourself professionally is crucial to being persuasive and being taken seriously in front of your peers and other colleagues. Practice your wording and prepare how you’re going to tell each and every one of your stories. Preparation will help you feel confident and allow you to be more persuasive.
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