| How to Keep Your Boss Happy Posted: 14 Sep 2019 01:00 AM PDT In most jobs, you're going to have to work under a boss. Although sometimes this can be a bit hasslesome, it's important to keep your boss happy in order to succeed. The 2 best ways to do this are to take steps to improve your relationship with your boss and impress them whenever you can. Of course, if your boss is particularly hard to work with, there are also some things you can do to make working under them easier to manage. [Edit]Improving Your Relationship - Adopt your boss's professional goals as your own. Find out what is important to your boss and make it important to you. Shift your workplace demeanor and output so that your boss sees you as a relatable and dependable employee.[1]
- For example, if your boss is highly motivated to beat their deadlines, then do your best to get everything in ahead of schedule.
- Don't sacrifice your own goals or priorities for the sake of your boss's. Rather, incorporate as many of your boss's goals into your own plans as best you can. For example, if there is a project that your boss is particularly passionate about, work on that project when you can, but don't sacrifice your other priorities to do so.
- Spend time getting to know your boss to understand them better. Make a note of anything that you and your boss have in common so you can talk about it with them. In general conversation, find an opportunity to make your boss aware of your similar interests. This will not only help you to understand how they think, but will also make them like you more.[2]
- For example, if you and your boss both like the same sport, find out what team they root for and try to follow that team's games. This way, you can talk to your boss about the team whenever the opportunity arises.
- The best time to have this type of conversation is in the break room at lunch or during a period of downtime where neither of you are expected to be working at that moment. This makes having a non-work conversation more acceptable.
- Note that you shouldn't become too friendly with your boss. Remember to keep your relationship professional, even if you're having a casual conversation.
- Be agreeable with your boss whenever possible. Try to agree with your boss, more often than not, without compromising your own values. Be willing to disagree with them when you need to, but take every opportunity to demonstrate to your boss that you're "on their side."[3]
- This applies to working with other colleagues under your boss, as well. Show your boss and your coworkers that you're a team player.
- Be as supportive as you can in controversial situations, even if you really don't like your boss' behavior. This puts you in a position to be honest with your boss without seeming confrontational.
- Do work that helps out your boss. Remember, your boss's success is also your own success. Find out what project or task your boss tends to spend a lot of their time on and take steps to work on it in your spare time. This is especially helpful if this task is particularly stressful for your boss and they don't have the time to finish it on their own.[4]
- For example, if your workplace requires a lot of paperwork, especially from your boss, then fill out some of the paperwork that your boss normally does (as long as you're allowed to do this).
- You may have to ask your boss if you can give them a hand with their task. Don't be afraid to do this! In fact, they may appreciate the simple fact that you offered to help.
- Be consistent with your work and your mood. Your boss is probably under a lot of stress in their job, so they will appreciate any employee who is predictable and reliable. Don't let stress or your boss being angry affect the quality of your work or your mood in the workplace.[5]
- For example, if you have a lot on your plate at the moment and your boss asks you if you can help them out with a project, don't complain about having more work to do. Say "sure, I'd be happy to" and do your work as best you can.
- At the same time, don't overpromise or commit to doing additional work that you don't have the time to do well. If you do this extra work poorly, it won't make your boss happy at all.
[Edit]Impressing Your Boss - Show up early and leave later than your boss whenever you can. This will make you look like a dedicated employee and a very hard worker. If your boss shows up early as well, this may also give you the chance to have more one-on-one conversation with them.[6]
- Make sure you're actually doing work when you're in the workplace. It won't do you much good to show up early and sit around doing nothing!
- Look for opportunities to go above and beyond. Submit your work ahead of deadline and do extra work when you can. If there are opportunities to help another department get a task done, volunteer to help out. This will make you look like an exceptional worker with lots of potential, which your boss will appreciate.[7]
- Moving beyond your workplace boundaries is also a good way to learn as much about your company and industry as you can. You'll need this knowledge to expand in your career.
- Speak up during meetings, especially if other employees won't. Don't be afraid to share your ideas, especially if they can help increase productivity or make someone's job easier. This will reinforce your boss's image of you as a team player and as someone who's willing to take initiative.[8]
- Take the opportunity to ask good questions during meetings that show you care about the company. For example, ask something like "What is the best way to carry out this project so that we're being as efficient as possible?"
- Don't be overly vocal or aggressive when you disagree with something. Remember to be polite and courteous in these meetings.
- Take initiative and do things without having to be told. If there's a project or task that you know will need to be done, go ahead and do it rather than wait for your boss to assign it to you. This will help you demonstrate your strong work ethic and foresight, which your boss will highly appreciate.[9]
- Be sure you don't step on anyone's toes when you do this. If there's a looming project that normally would go to someone else, make sure you clear it with them before tackling it yourself.
[Edit]Dealing with a Difficult Manager - Avoid letting your boss's behavior affect the quality of your work. Make your work a reflection of your own personal "brand" as an employee. Remind yourself that when you're in the workplace, people who can open or close future opportunities for you may be evaluating your work.[10]
- This means that it's never a good career decision to flub your work in order to "get back" at your boss.
- It also helps to remember that your boss may be taking out personal stress on you; it may have nothing to do with you personally.
- Identify the triggers that cause your boss to be angry or critical. Figure out if there's something you're doing that triggers your boss's anger and refrain from doing it around them. Adapting to your boss's style, while avoiding their pet peeves, is a great way to make your workplace a more friendly environment.[11]
- For example, if you know your boss hates it when work is even a few minutes late, do your best to always get your work done by deadline or ahead of time to avoid making them upset.
- At the same time, don't kowtow to a boss who's being a bully. For example, speak out if your boss does or says something that offends you. Adapt to your boss as best you can without sacrificing your own peace of mind.
- Work ahead to avoid giving your boss a reason to be angry. If you're constantly falling behind on deadlines or turning in subpar work, your boss may think you're harming the company's integrity. Being a dependable employee will not only keep your boss happy, but will also make you stand out next to your colleagues.[12]
- You might be able to do this by putting in extra work after hours, or by taking steps to reduce inefficiency in your normal workday. For example, if you find yourself getting groggy at midday, consider taking a 5-minute break to stretch and get your blood flowing again.
- Learn what exactly your boss expects from your work and try to meet those expectations as best you can. If you're not sure what they expect, ask them a question like: "Can you tell me how exactly I should do this? I want to make sure I'm doing it exactly right."
- Be willing to set boundaries and confront a "bad boss" if needed. If the workplace environment becomes toxic because of your boss's behavior, respectfully tell them about it. A good boss will recognize the importance of their employees' mental and emotional health and change their behavior as a result.[13]
- For example, if your boss is constantly criticizing your visual appearance, say something like "It makes me uncomfortable when you criticize my appearance; could you please not do that so I can focus on my work?"
- Reach out to Human Resources if your boss's behavior is a serious problem. HR employees will help to mediate any issues or conflicts that have arisen between you and your boss. They will also be able to help you figure out how to resolve conflicts before they emerge in the future.[14]
- Note that HR will not automatically "take your side" in this situation. Their job is to make the workplace a safer, more constructive environment, not to pick winners and losers.
- Be direct when communicating with HR and let them know exactly what you've experienced with your boss.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Make a Facial Peel Posted: 13 Sep 2019 05:00 PM PDT A facial peel improves the appearance of the skin by exfoliating or removing dry skin, acne scars and wrinkles. There are many mild, natural facial peels you can make at home with ingredients that may already be in your kitchen. Start with a facial peel that has a lower acidity content, like a cucumber and tea peel, which will allow your skin to adjust to the treatment. [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Cucumber and Tea Peel - water
- 1 chamomile tea bag
- 1 green tea bag
- 1 package or unflavored gelatin
- 1 cucumber
- aloe vera juice
[Edit]Pumpkin Peel - pumpkin puree
- honey
- milk
- 1 egg (optional)
[Edit]Tomato and Citrus Peel - lime juice
- orange juice
- water
- 1 package or unflavored gelatin
- 1 ripe tomato
[Edit]Apple Cider Vinegar Peel - apple cider vinegar
- applesauce
[Edit]Using Cucumber and Tea for Sensitive Skin - Brew of chamomile and green tea. Bring about to a boil and turn off the heat. Add 1 teabag each of chamomile and green tea. Let the tea steep for about 5 minutes, then measure into a bowl.[1]
- Add 1 package of unflavored gelatin to the tea. The gelatin will help give the mixture a gel-like texture, which will make it easier to apply. Use unflavored gelatin to reduce the amount of synthetic dyes or flavors you add to the peel. You should use 1 package or roughly . As you stir it into the tea, you should notice it becoming thicker.[2]
- Peel 1 cucumber and cut it in half. Use a vegetable peeler or small knife to carefully remove the peel from 1 cucumber. Then use a knife to cut it in half lengthwise. The cucumber has natural astringent properties that will help clarify and tighten your skin.[3]
- Use a spoon to scoop the seeds out of the cucumber halves. The seeds will get in the way if they are added to the peel mixture, so it's best to remove them once you cut the cucumber. They should come out easily if you scrape the center of the cucumber halves with a large spoon.[4]
- Puree the cucumber and add it to the tea mixture. To make the cucumber the right consistency to add to the peel, you will need to puree it in a blender or food processor. Depending on the cucumber, it will have a consistency somewhere between water and applesauce once blended.[5]
- Add of aloe vera juice to the peel. Aloe vera juice has natural healing and moisturizing properties, and can be found in many health food stores. Add it to the tea and cucumber and mix all the ingredients thoroughly.[6]
- Make sure you are buying pure aloe vera juice, not an aloe vera juice beverage, which will be diluted.
- Aloe vera gel, which is often available at drugstores, can be used in place of aloe vera juice if necessary.
- Cool the mixture in the fridge for 1 hour or until it becomes thicker. To get the ideal consistency, you should refrigerate your peel for about an hour. By that point, the gelatin will have gone into full effect and caused the peel to become somewhat thicker. This will make it easier to apply.[7]
- Apply the peel to your face with clean hands. Wash your hands thoroughly or use a clean makeup applicator to put the peel on your face. Be careful to avoid your eyes, and leave some space around your mouth and nostrils as well. You may want to tie or clip your hair back to keep it from getting stuck in the peel.
- Wait 10-15 minutes before removing the peel and rinsing your face. After about 15 minutes, or once the peel has completely dried, you can remove it and rinse your face with lukewarm water. If the peel reached the ideal consistency, you should be able to pull it off in one piece. If not, gently rinse it off with water and pat your face dry with a towel.[8]
[Edit]Using Pumpkin Puree for Firmer Skin - Mix pumpkin puree with honey. The honey should ideally be raw for the most health benefits, and the pumpkin puree can be fresh or canned. Pumpkin is full of antioxidants and enzymes which remove dead skin cells and encourage skin regeneration.[9]
- Add milk to the pumpkin and honey. Whole milk is ideal, since its primary purpose is to moisturize your skin, and a higher fat content means greater moisturizing power. If you have dairy allergies, however, you may want to use a substitute such as soymilk or almond milk.[10]
- Thicken the mixture if necessary with 1 egg. Ideally, the peel will have a consistency somewhere between sauce and paste. If it seems too runny, try adding 1 egg. The egg will also add protein and collagen to your peel, which helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles.[11]
- Apply the peel using clean hands or a makeup applicator. Avoid putting the peel anywhere close to your eyes, mouth, or nostrils. Distribute it as evenly as possible until you have used up all of the mixture.[12]
- Wait 10-15 minutes before washing the peel off with warm water. Unlike some peels that contain gelatin, this peel will probably not come off in one piece. Instead, use a clean washcloth and warm water to gently rinse it off of your face, or step into the shower.[13]
[Edit]Reducing Blemishes with Tomatoes and Citrus - Add each of lime and orange juice to water. The natural astringents in the citrus juice will exfoliate and clarify your skin. Citrus is also full of antioxidants, which are beneficial to your skin.[14]
- Warm the water and juice and add 1 package of unflavored gelatin. Stir in 1 package or of unflavored gelatin and make sure it is thoroughly blended with the liquid. Warm the mixture of low heat on the stove. The gelatin will cause the mixture to firm up and become more gel-like, which will make it easier to apply and remove.[15]
- Peel and puree 1 ripe tomato. Tomatoes can be difficult to peel with a vegetable peeler, so it's best to use a knife or your fingers to pull the peel off. Cut the stem out and put the tomato in a blender or food processor to puree it.[16]
- Add the tomato puree to the water and gelatin mixture. The tomato is helpful for restoring the pH balance of your skin, and will also reduce the appearance of blemishes and skin spots. Mix the tomato puree thoroughly with the water and gelatin until it is all the same color and consistency.[17]
- Turn the heat off and refrigerate the mixture for at least 25 minutes. This will allow the gelatin to thicken the mixture so that it is easier to work with. It will also cool the mixture down to where it will be comfortable to apply to your skin. Wait at least 25 minutes and check to see if the mixture has become thick and sticky.[18]
- Apply the peel to your skin using clean hands or a makeup applicator. Avoid sensitive areas such as your eyes, mouth, and nostrils. Apply the mixture as evenly as possible, or concentrate on problem areas.[19]
- Wait until the peel dries before removing it and rinsing your face. The peel should dry completely within about 15-20 minutes. Ideally, you will be able to pull it off in one piece, starting with your chin and pulling upwards. Rinse your face gently with lukewarm water, and pat your skin dry with a clean towel.[20]
[Edit]Exfoliating with Apple Cider Vinegar - Add raw apple cider vinegar to applesauce. Apple cider vinegar contains several helpful acids that exfoliate and detoxify the skin. Any kind of apple cider vinegar will work, but for the best results, use raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. The applesauce has some of the same benefits and also thickens the mixture so it can be easily applied.[21]
- Use clean hands or a makeup applicator to apply the peel. Wash your hands thoroughly or find a clean makeup applicator, and spread the mixture evenly on your face. Avoid sensitive areas such as your mouth, nostrils, and eyes.
- Wait 10-15 minutes. Since the mixture does not contain gelatin like some peels and may be slightly runny, it's best to lie down while you let the peel do its work. This will reduce the risk of the peel dripping or running off your face.[22]
- Use cool water and a clean cloth to remove the peel. Gently rinse your face with cool water. Don't use soap, as it may irritate your skin. Wipe any remaining peel off with a clean cloth, then pat your skin dry with a clean towel.[23]
[Edit]Warnings - Facial peels often make your skin temporarily more sensitive, so it's a good idea to avoid direct sunlight for several hours after applying a peel.[24]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Mixing bowl
- Mixing spoon
- Measuring spoons & cups
- Dry towel
- Washcloth
- Blender or food processor (for cucumber & tea peel and citrus & tomato peel)
- Clean makeup applicator (optional)
- For cucumber & tea peel:
- Small pot or tea kettle
- Vegetable peeler or small knife
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Be Persuasive Posted: 13 Sep 2019 09:00 AM PDT Whether you're trying to convince your parents to let you watch a grown-up movie or aiming to persuade your boss to shift your team project in a different direction, a few persuasion techniques can help you get your message across. First, do thorough research and examine all sides of your argument so you'll be able to back up your point of view. Then try using one of the 3 rhetorical strategies to persuade your audience. Establish your expertise through a character appeal (ethos), use storytelling to engage your listener's emotions (pathos), or make an appeal to reason and logic by presenting the facts (logos).[1] Use a combination of these strategies and stay in tune with your listener's responses. Soon enough you'll be sweet-talking your way to success! [Edit]Preparing Your Case - Gather evidence to support your argument. Whether you're trying to convince your reluctant friend to go to a party with you or you're presenting a proposal to a skeptical board, you need to be the expert. Do as much research as you need to gather convincing evidence in support of your case.[2] Where you get your information will depend on what you're arguing about, but aim to use only the most reliable, legitimate sources.
- If you're not sure that what you're saying is true, or if there's a chance your listener will know you've made an error, they won't be easily convinced.
- To encourage your friend to go to the party, make sure you know exactly who else is going. This way, you can confidently say "Well, Kendra, Liam, and Chantel are going. They think it'll be fun!"
- Prepare what you'll say to counterarguments in advance. Expect that your listener will respond with a few opposing opinions. While gathering evidence on your topic, brainstorm all the possible counterarguments that they might make. Get to know what evidence your opposition will rely upon and why they hold their opinion. Then plan out how you'll respond to that perspective. Gather evidence to support your defense.[3]
- Continuing the previous example, beyond just knowing who's going to the party, you'll need to find out who isn't going and why.
- When your friend comes back with a counterargument ("Yeah but Rick isn't going so it's not the whole group") you can assert your defense with proof ("Rick is heading out of town, but he said he'd much rather be at the party.")
- If you want to get a dog but your parents are worried about you being too busy to take care of it, be ready to explain how you'll fit morning walks and daily feeding into your schedule.
- Bring up the topic in a way that the other person will respond well to. Modify your approach based on your listener's personality and how they like to process new information. Think back to a time that person agreed to something you presented, and try to recall how you brought up the topic and convinced them. Then model your approach based on this successful example.
- If you have a skeptical boss who likes to feel like the hero, don't rush in with an ultra-confident approach. Your boss will instantly dismiss your proposal. Instead, present the case as if you need your boss' wisdom and advice. Make it seem like it's their idea, and they'll likely end up in support of your project.[4]
- If you're trying to get a teacher to extend your project's deadline, and you know she's a big supporter of your school sports team, frame your request as a conflict that she could solve: "So I've been working really hard on this report but this week has been full of practices for the big game tomorrow..." This way, she might offer you an extension without you having to directly ask!
[Edit]Asserting Your Credibility (Ethos) - Explain why you're an expert on the topic. Share proof of your credibility and experience so that your listener automatically trusts you as an authority.[5] Early on in your conversation, mention the experiences and past successes have given you lots of experience in the area you're talking about. Use examples like these to explain why your case is worth listening to:
- If you're trying to convince your parents to get a family pet, talk about how you've been doing a great job pet-sitting for a neighbor and you know all about pet care.
- If you're convincing a teacher to let you take an advanced class, mention your previous good grades as evidence that you can handle the challenge.
- If you're trying to get a job, tell the interviewer about degrees, achievements, and awards that make you an expert in your industry.
- Use keywords that show you know a lot about your topic. Use vocabulary words related to the topic you're discussing. Instead of avoiding complicated terminology, abbreviations, or phrases, look up these terms ahead of time and make sure you know how to use them. Then drop them into your conversation and you'll impress your listener.[6] This is especially useful if your listener is an expert in your topic; aim to speak their language so they see you as a fellow expert.
- If you're trying to sell a product to a customer who's a photographer, list off camera specs with confidence. They'll feel like you understand their line of work and may be open to hearing your pitch.
- If you're speaking to your parents about getting your first credit card, don't shy away from financial jargon. Instead, work terms like "credit score" and "billing cycle" into the conversation to show that you know what you're talking about.
- Say you're trying to convince a classmate to let you practice guitar with their band after school. If they consider their group a "band," don't call it a "club." You'll sound like you don't respect what they're doing and they might not let you hang around.
- Back up your argument with convincing visuals like a graph or the right outfit. Think about what your listener might expect to see, and provide just that.[7] If you want to establish yourself as a certain type of authority, dress the part. Include visual cues in your outfit or your visual aids that your audience can pick up on.
- If you're trying to get your family to let you get a part-time job while you're still in school, make sure you're well groomed and nicely dressed when you strike up the conversation. Don't make the request while you're in sloppy sweatpants; you won't look responsible enough to start working.
- If you're submitting a big research paper to a professor, make sure it looks crisp and professional. Don't allow sloppy formatting or wrinkled pages to distract from the quality of your writing.
- To get your parents to sign you up for gymnastics class, put on a leotard and start doing cartwheels around the living room. You'll look like you need an outlet for your skills and energy.
- Demonstrate confidence in yourself and your arguments. Stand up straight, look others in the eye, smile, and keep your voice even and enthusiastic. Assert your viewpoints as facts rather than weakening them with "I think X" or "I believe Y."[8] Say "I'm confident about X" to show your listener just how strongly you believe in your message.
- Nerves and uncertainty can ruin your ability to be persuasive. If you don't have confidence in yourself, your listener won't have confidence in you either.
- Listeners tend to assume a confident communicator is correct and trustworthy.[9] So if you show and tell your significant other that you're confident about how safe skydiving is, they'll start to believe you.
[Edit]Engaging Emotions (Pathos) - Use group pronouns like "we," "us," and "our." Avoid using pronouns like "I" and "me" or referring to your listener as "you." This places you in opposition to your listener and may make your attempts to convince them feel like a personal attack. Instead, use words like "we," "us," and "our" to make it sound like you and your listener are on the same side.[10] Reinforce this group mentality with terms like "together" or "all of us."[11]
- Inclusive language is much more effective than language that sets the persuader apart from their listener. It encourages your listener to view you as a single group unit with similar interests, rather than two separate entities.
- Rather than telling your group project teammates, "I saw a mistake on the poster. You should fix it," try saying, "Let's fix that mistake on the poster" as you hand them the poster and the white-out.
- Share a powerful story that will engage your listener's emotions. To pull at your listener's heart strings, tell a captivating story that represents your case. Use your evidence to craft a true but compelling narrative about a main character who faces ups, downs, twists, and turns.[12] This character could be you, a member of a community, or a made-up character as long as the story illustrates what you're trying to prove. Use descriptive language to illustrate how things are now and how greatly they could be improved with your vision in place.
- If you're arguing for a decision that will help improve a situation, illustrate how dire the situation is right now.
- Finish your story with 2 possible endings, 1 "bad" ending that doesn't include your solution and 1 "good" ending that does.
- For example, a sad story about how dark and gloomy your dorm room is and how you can't focus on your homework might encourage your guardian to buy you an expensive floor lamp. The "bad" ending would be failing grades; the "good" ending would be reaching the top of the class.
- Incite anger or pity to prompt an action. In combination with powerful storytelling, encourage your listener to get mad or feel pity. Speak in an emotional tone of voice and get your body moving with expressive gestures that show just how infuriated or inspired you feel. If your listener starts mirroring your emotions, demonize the opposite choice to get them even more worked up.[13]
- While managing and presenting certain emotions is a persuasive strategy, don't let it become manipulative or disingenuous. Be as authentic as possible and try to only express emotions you truly feel.
- If your dad isn't enthusiastic about letting you go to a new friend's sleepover party, say something about how not going could make you lonely at school: "I'm just starting to make friends with this group, and I really don't want to miss the chance to get to know them better. Otherwise I won't really have any good friends in my class this year."
- Sprinkle rhetorical questions into your persuasive rant to get your listener nodding along or shaking their head. Try phrases like "Can't we put an end to this once and for all?" (Yes!) or "Can you believe how horrible the current situation is?" (No!).
- Flatter your listener by placing them at the center of your story. Appeal to your listener's vanity. Instead of showing the negative implications for a character in your emotional story, place your listener at the heart of your narrative. Explain the consequences they'll face if they don't follow your perspective, then describe the positive turnout in a way that churns up their hopes and desires. Help your listener see the reward.[14]
- Lure your listener with flattering compliments to make them feel good about following your lead.
- Make irresistible offers they won't be able to refuse, based on their values or vanity.
- If you're trying to get your sister to pick out a different party dress so you can borrow it later, tell her how gorgeous and radiant she looks in the blue sparkly one.
- If you want your friend to buy a certain video game so you can play it together, gush about how amazing and unbeatable he is at that type of game.
[Edit]Relying on Facts and Logic (Logos) - Start with facts your listener can agree with to get them in an open mindset. Before getting into the heavy facts and figures, begin with ideas your listener already agrees with. Present these in a way that nudges your listener confirm that they agree.[15] Try framing the general topic as a question your listener can say yes to, and consider ending your points with the rhetorical "Right?"
- You could open up your argument with 2 questions like this: "1,500 children attend this school, right?" (Yes, this is a basic fact.) "Do we agree that the lack of after-school support is a problem for these students and our community?" (Yes, this is the topic of the conversation.)
- Your listener will be nodding along in no time. With this momentum, they'll be more likely to get on board with your more complex arguments later on.
- Support your claims with factual evidence. Once you move past the obvious or noncontroversial points, you'll need to back up your more controversial claims with proof. Draw quantitative facts, statistics, study results, and other such evidence from reputable sources.[16] Bring visual aids or original source material as additional proof. Try to memorize the most important facts so you can easily bring them up in conversation.
- Try generating a spreadsheet to show your boss just how profitable your idea will be or quoting a recent study that addresses your topic.
- Pull up a quote for the internet plan you want your roommates to agree to and show them just how affordable to rates are for the service you'd be receiving.
- If you place facts and figures right in front of your listener that shows how logical your case is, they'll find it a lot harder to argue against you.
- Present logical arguments. Walk your listener through logically sound and valid arguments. Use inductive reasoning to prove your point. Start by explaining a specific case study and then draw broader conclusions from it. Or try the opposite approach through deductive reasoning. To do this, begin by proving a general fact and then apply it to your specific case. Avoid making logical fallacies, which means using facts to make incorrect conclusions.[17]
- Here's how you could use inductive reasoning to prove your point to your parents: "Universities are all encouraging students to study abroad. Look at this brochure our college sent out about the benefits of travel and studying abroad. I think taking that study trip to the Andes would really expand my worldview."
- One logical fallacy to avoid is known as post hoc ergo propter hoc. This involves making an incorrect assumption based on the order of events. For instance, you'd be wrong to argue that the library caused your headache because you went to the library and then developed a headache.
- Another fallacy is the slippery slope. This is where you'd say describe a chain of events where the first point seems to lead to the final point. For example: "If you let me stay home from school tomorrow, I'll be able to practice with the band so we can become rich and famous rockstars." This implies that staying home will bring you fame and fortune, which isn't logical or very convincing.
[Edit]Delivering Your Argument - Start the conversation when your listener is in a calm and open mindset. Timing is everything when it comes to persuading someone.[18] Be sensitive to where your listener is along their journey toward making a decision. Feel free to ask directly. If it's not the right time yet, focus on maintaining a positive relationship with your listener until they're more in the mood to make a decision.
- If you're trying to sell someone a couch, chat them up when they're looking at couches, not when they're in the refrigerator aisle.
- Pay attention to their behaviors and adapt accordingly. If they're spending a lot of time looking at different couches, and they've told you they want to buy something this weekend, stick by their side to offer your expertise.
- If your prospective customer said they don't want to buy a couch until next September, don't harass them as they're walking past toward the exit.
- Create a sense of urgency or scarcity to jolt your listener into action. Use an expiration date on your sales offer to show that the decision has to be made quickly. Tell your friends that there are only a few concert tickets left. Let your reluctant coworker know you're all heading out to lunch "right now!" and if they don't act soon they'll be left behind.[19] Urge your listener to act quickly for fear of missing their chance.
- If your listener only has a few moments to think about the decision, they'll have less time to explore and listen to their opposing instincts.[20]
- Include calls-to-action like "act now" or "limited time only" in your pitch to get the results you're looking for.
- Address counterarguments and defend yourself against them. Before your listener has a chance to jump in with an opposing view, tell them what they're already thinking. Be up-front about the opposing viewpoint. Present it in an empathetic way, so your listener feels heard and understood. Then logically argue your defense against it.[21]
- A strategy like this will not only help your listener connect with you since they feel understood, but it will boost your credibility since you'll appear to know your subject inside and out.
- This is a powerful approach that combines pathos, ethos, and logos all in one.
- If you want to go out with friends even when you have a lot of homework, rather than waiting for your dad to say "But what about your homework?" say something like "Ok, I know you're probably wondering about all the homework I have. But I actually have a plan to do chemistry and English tonight before dinner and study for my history exam during my study hour tomorrow morning." He'll be impressed with how well you've thought it all out.
- Remain calm while you deliver and defend your argument. Don't allow yourself to become overpowered by your emotions. Even if you're delivering an emotional appeal, keep your feelings and temper in check.
- Negative energy and frantic yelling aren't persuasive; this behavior will undermine your authority.[22]
- Slow down your speech if your listener agrees, but speed up if they disagree. If you sense your listener may agree with you, or you notice them nodding along as you present your case, slow down your speech. Give them plenty of time to soak in your evidence and insert their own arguments in support of your case. But if you have a tougher listener who disagrees, run through your arguments at a quick pace so they can't keep up their critiques.[23]
- In conversation, pause to allow someone who agreement with you to articulate their own affirmative viewpoints.
- Don't allow someone who disagrees with you to seize control of the conversation.
- If you move and speak quickly, a disagreeing listener won't have much time to process their own counterarguments. They'll get swept away in what you're saying and may be overwhelmed into agreeing.
- Be ready to ease off or get more aggressive based on your listener's reactions. After you present something persuasive, watch for your listener's reactions. Observe facial expressions, body language, and even breath. All of these behaviors can tell you what someone is thinking.[24] Avoid sticking to a rigid script; being able to react to your listener's responses can make you much more successful. If you sense your listener starts to get annoyed after you get more direct, soften up your tone and be more empathetic. If they seem distracted or dismissive, try laying down the cold, hard facts in a more direct manner.
- Held breathes indicate anticipation while a sharp gasp usually indicated surprise.
- Squinted eyes indicate doubt or displeasure, as do crossed arms and a cocked head.
- Upright posture with a forward lean indicates interest.
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