Persuasion and Negotiation as Tools for Winning People to Your Way of Thinking

Just over 70 years now, a seemingly innocuous book was published by Dale Carnegie. It was a book with basic ideas on how to act around people so that they might better like you as a person and be more receptive to your ideas. The can be found for just a few dollars online now, but the information inside is worth what you'll pay a thousand times over. One of the best sections of the book is about how to win people over to your way of thinking. This is invaluable information in the business world. From "How To Win Friends and Influence People", here are 8 ways to win people over to your way of thinking.

You Can't Win an Argument. The best way to make someone angry is to tell them they're wrong. Instead ask lots of questions and say things such as "I've never thought about it that way before." If an issue looks like it will soon become an into a full-fledged argument, just drop it. It'll make you appear very rational and level headed.

When you're wrong, Admit it. When you make a mistake, admit your fault. Denying it and avoiding the issue will not make anything better for anyone. It will merely hurt your credibility amongst your peers.

A Spoon Full of Sugar. If you have to deliver someone some bad news, start by focusing on the positive news first. It will make the situation easier to swallow in almost every case.

Yes, Yes and Yes. When trying to persuade someone of something, start off by offering the points that they are most likely to agree to. You'll get them saying yes and agreeing to your points. If they agree with you off the bat, they're likely to continue to do so.

Handling Complaints. When someone complains to you, let them blow off all of their steam. Don't interject, just let them finish. Ask questions, and encourage them to speak further. In almost all cases this will make the situation much easier to handle if not solve the situation all together.

Gaining Cooperation. Present all of your ideas up front, state your conclusion, and then ask for their opinion on the matter. If you can, lead them to the conclusion of the argument. They'll feel like the idea is there's and will lead the conversation in a much more positive direction.

Their Shoes. Put yourself in the other person's shoes. What will they want out of the situation? What concerns and issues might they have about it? Knowing where the person you are negotiating with is coming from will better position you to handle their issues, needs, and concerns.

Tell a Story. If you have a great idea, try to paint a picture with words and tell a story with it. If you can relate what you're trying to bring across through a human experience, you'll have them understanding you idea on an entirely different level. There's a reason fables are around for years.