How to Persuade Someone in an Argument or Debate

Persuasion is a necessary skill for many careers - from politics to business to philanthropy, a persuasive person is more likely to win the influence, resources, and support necessary to see his or her vision through to completion.

Persuasive people are not the same as "argumentative" or "difficult" people. In fact, a master of persuasion is the exact opposite - he gets people to come around to his way of thinking and makes others feel as if they are entering into a mutually beneficial agreement. The best persuaders make arrangements that are good for everyone involved.

With this said, here are some persuasion secrets you can put to use right away at work, school, or at home:

Offer high value: A great persuader doesn't focus on how he will benefit. Instead, the persuader repeatedly tells the other party how they will benefit; specific numbers and statistics should be used early on.

Present open body language: A great persuader talks slowly and clearly and keeps his arms by his sides (not crossed). He also smiles and nods when others are speaking to let them know he is on the same page. He does not interrupt others when they speak - it is important for opposition to be fully voiced in a business meeting before you can eliminate or counteract it effectively.

Appeal to the emotions: When being "sold" on a new idea, product, or way of doing things, facts and figures can only go so far. Large purchases and crucial corporate decisions are often made on the basis of emotional appeal. Get the other party excited about the possibilities; allow them to dream and picture the "best case scenario". A master persuader knows that the imagination is one of his greatest tools.

Create alternatives: Persuaders do not force or bully another party into accepting their way. Instead, the persuader offers a series of perfectly acceptable alternatives - even if all three alternatives are similar versions of the same idea. In winning someone over, it is important to make the other party feel as if they are making the decision on their own. (As an example, you can often pick the color and specifics of your new automobile at the dealership-an old sales tactic designed to create the illusion of wider choice.)

Use testimonials: When we aren't sure what path to take, a quote from a well-respected figure who has already tried the product can be the turning point you need. Provide plenty of customer or partner testimonials in your meeting. Allow the words of others to help you persuade... This is part of the reason why major motion pictures and much-hyped novel releases rely heavily on celebrity "blurbs" (a short testimonial that appears on the cover or in marketing materials).