How to Change Somebody?s Mind

Believe me, it's not easy! And sometimes, it doesn't work at all.

But while researching my book on how to produce more memorable writing, I stumbled upon these "mind changing" ideas from multiple sources.

Remember, I'm a writer, not a psychologist. So the methods shown here come mostly from writers and speakers who've successfully altered perceptions through presentations and persuasive reports.

1. Wear the other person's shoes ? Ask questions to find out why someone holds a completely different view from yours.

2. Ask that person to amplify his/her position ? Are your opponent's views based on actual data, or on disputed or second-hand information that might be challenged?

3. If that person's views are based on data, is the source of that data credible?

4. What common positions do you hold? Politicians can often win a hostile audience by first discussing values everyone shares. If we can agree on common goals, perhaps readers/listeners will follow us when we lead them down new pathways.

5. Can some position be compromised? In negotiations, I often give away a small point in order to show willingness to arrive at an agreement.

6. Point out your side's best points. Remember the fence-painting episode from "Tom Sawyer"? Tom makes his task seem so appealing his friends offer him all sorts of prizes if he'll let them participate.

7. Speaking of "good points" ? Sometimes negotiation can become a "listing" contest. Can you reinforce your position by listing a number of positive things about your proposal? Example: "Ten reasons you should vote for Proposition A."

Rix Quinn offers lots of writing and persuasive ideas in his book "Words That Stick." It's available from your local bookstore, or http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN /1580085768/qid/

In The News:

Negotiation strategies help boost leverage
Arizona Republic, AZ - Sep 3, 2008
4, 2008 12:00 AM My name is Marty Latz, and I am the founder of Latz Negotiation Institute, a national negotiation training and consulting company, ...

Negotiations: Egyptian revelations
Milwaukee Small Business Times, WI - Sep 5, 2008
Whether you visit Cairo’s Khan el-Kahlili bazaar, founded in 1382, or a small port bazaar, expect your negotiation skills to be tested. ...

Radio Australia
No room for US negotiation: CNMI Governor
Radio Australia, Australia - Sep 3, 2008
[ABC] The governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas in the Pacific says there's no room for negotiation with the US on the law that would put ...

Striking Teachers Resume Talks In Souderton
MyFox Philadelphia, PA - Sep 5, 2008
The district and the teacher's union went into a negotiation session late morning on Friday. Friday's talks are the first attempt at a deal since teachers ...
Souderton strike continues; no progess reported in talks Allentown Morning Call
all 27 news articles

GulfNews
MILF says DDR is okay, but…
Inquirer.net, Philippines - 14 hours ago
By Charlie Señase COTABATO CITY, Philippines -- The Moro Islamic Liberation Front, in pushing for another round of peace negotiation with the government, ...
Moro group expresses fear on the government's decision to abort ... Minda News
Opposition rejects Nograles’s proposal Sun.Star
Peace panel with MILF dissolved Manila Bulletin
GMA news.tv - Inquirer.netall 295 news articles

Thornburg needs more negotiation time
Bizjournals.com, NC - Sep 3, 2008
Thornburg Mortgage has once again extended the deadline of its preferred stock tender offer as it continues to try to nail down the details of a bailout ...

Culpepper retires
The Gazette (Montreal), Canada - Sep 4, 2008
What you're probably unaware of was that, until recently, Culpepper was on the Alouettes' negotiation list, giving Montreal exclusive CFL rights on him ...

CBCS calls GRP, MILF to negotiation table
Philippine Information Agency, Philippines - Sep 4, 2008
... and negotiation and peacefully resolve the controversies and issues surrounding the aborted signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain. ...

No Plea Negotiation in Mayor's Assault Case
WXYZ, MI - Sep 3, 2008
(WXYZ) - Despite talks about plea negotiations in the perjury case, Action News has learned there have not been any negotiations regarding a plea deal in ...

ECOWAS To Design Liberia Trade Policy
The Inquirer, Liberia - 14 hours ago
Liberia has been earmarked amongst other African countries to benefit a lot from ECOWAS trade negotiation capacity, which will afford the country the ...
negotiation - Google News


Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

How To Deal With A Complainer

How To Deal With A ComplainerA Complainer Is Characterized by:1.... Read More

Barter: Its Not Just for Doctors Anymore

Time was, in the country, the local "doc" was as... Read More

Can a Corporate Executive Really Use The Beautiful Mind; To guide decision making?

I would like to comment on the "A Beautiful Mind"... Read More

How Barter Can Help Your Business Online or Offline

How Barter Can Help Your BusinessBarter trade is a powerful... Read More

Lets Make a Deal

Smart buyers will always ask for a better price. Unfortunately,... Read More

Are You Scaring Away Potential Customers?

When you are trying to make a sale and ask... Read More

Can a Service Be a Commodity

Well Enron dealt with this a little for instance an... Read More

Writing an RFP (Request for Proposal)

A while back, a potential client provided me... Read More

Neogtiation: How to be Right Without Making Other People Wrong

What exactly are we trying to accomplish by proving to... Read More

Secrets of the Trade Revealed: Bartering for Business

In its simplest form, bartering involves an equal trade. One... Read More

Resolve Conflict In 6 Easy Steps - The BEDROL Method

The principles of Negotiation can work for you in any... Read More

The Ultimate Truth in Persuasion

OK, so you want to improve your persuasion power right?Why?... Read More

Avoiding and Accomodating in Negotiation

The avoiding approach to negotiating is characterized by losing, leaving,... Read More

Negotiating Skills: Ask For More Than You Expect To Get

It creates some negotiating room, and you might just get... Read More

So Whats Your Argument?

Arguments aren't always bad things. Sometimes They're used to convince... Read More

30 Tips for Keeping Meeting Expenses to a Minimum

Money makes the world go 'round. And when it comes... Read More

Negotiate Your Way to a Better Salary

1. Be persuasive: It's hard to force your boss to... Read More

Do You Want a Paycheck or a Passion? 10 Qualities Managers are Looking for in Hiring You

Based upon my research of over 300 managers in the... Read More

Barter and Its Benefits

What is Barter? Barter involves 2 parties. Each party wants... Read More

Negotiation: A Compromising Position

Negotiating is a hot topic these days for a good... Read More

Negotiations: The Art, Science, & Sport of Online Deals

Negotiations can seem as complex as physics, and in fact,... Read More

Business: Keys To Negotiating Well

Whether it's buying a car, asking for a pay rise,... Read More

Negotiating Tactics: Don?t Let ?Good Guy ? Bad Guy? Control the Sales Negotiation

Counter one of the classic negotiating gambits by addressing it... Read More

Guidelines for Ambassador Appointments

Ambassadors to other countries are a vital part of international... Read More

Dont Be Afraid Of Silence

In any conversation with two or more people, there is... Read More