Ever wonder why some people are more persuasive than others? What gives them this ability? Is it their charisma, their strong communication skills, or their self-confidence? The truth is that persuasion requires all of these skills and many others. With practice, you can become more persuasive and learn to get your message across in the most effective way possible.
#James Donaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation
website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and JoyLink for 40 Habits Signup
www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com
bit.ly/40HabitsofMentalHealth
Need help to get started? Let’s a take a look at the five things persuasive people do:
They Listen
A good persuader will always try to determine what the other person is looking for and that requires active listening. It’s important to know what your audience needs and wants so you can tailor your message accordingly.
Let’s say you run a food delivery business. Depending on your audience, you can promote your products as being healthy, or you can suggest they make dieting and weight loss easier. If your business appeals to corporate clients, emphasize the time-saving factor.
The better you know your audience, the more likely you are to persuade them to take action.
They Have a Purpose
Persuasive people are fully aware of their power over others. Therefore, they know how to use it to get what they want.
Unless you have a clear goal in mind, don’t try to convince people to do this or that just for the sake of it. Establish your objectives and then adjust your message for the target audience.
They Connect
As we have previously mentioned, knowing what your audience wants is crucial. One way to do that is to connect with the people you’re looking to persuade.
Take the time to talk with them and listen to their needs. Give them a reason to trust you. Be genuine and open. Show that you care about their concerns and help them whenever possible.
They Exude Confidence
Persuasive people exude confidence. Sure, they may not feel confident all the time, but they have learned to hide their insecurities.
According to research, people prefer advice from a confident source. They are more likely to do what you want if they sense that you truly believe what you’re saying.
They Are Clear and Concise
Good persuaders possess strong communication skills and know how to make themselves heard without overwhelming the audience. They are clear and concise rather than talking for hours.
Before you try to persuade someone, make sure you know your subject inside out. This way, you’ll find it easier to explain it to someone who doesn’t understand.
These are just a few of the things that persuasive people do. They’re also consistent and patient, leave a strong first impression, and use body language wisely. They are masters at reading and responding to other people. Learn these skills yourself so you can become more persuasive in your career and personal life.
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James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org