For those who think Democracy should be
a collaborative experience.
September 9, 2008
If you wish they’d think more like you do, you need to be able to think like they do
If you can’t comprehend how anyone could have been moved to tears of joy by Obama’s acceptance speech and tears of sadness by Palins, you’re probably not ready to persuade any Obama supporters to consider your views. And if you cannot fathom why Governeor Palin galvaized the GOP, you’re probably not ready to get any mcCain / Palin supporters to consider your perspective.
You don’t have to agree with their views to be able to stand in a place where you can clearly see them. But you do need to be willing to see what they see to have any influence at all.
I like the phrase the Difficult Conversations authors suggest. Ask yourself, “why would a reasonable person say that?”
Ultimately you might find they aren’t so reasonable after all. But your chances of being politically persuasive are much better if you start with the assumption that they are. And even if they’re not, it’s helpful to be able to get inside of their (non)reality if you’re hoping to inspire them into yours.
If you want anyone to think more like you do, you need to be able to think more like they do.
I have ten guidellines to reasonable dialogue in this article.
September 8, 2008
The first step to political persuasiveness ~ stay calm
I once read instructions on an elevator about what to do in the case of emergency. Step one was to stay calm. I thought – that’s a step?
Yes, it is. And it’s the first step in politiclal persuasiveness.
Today I heard an interview with a lawyer who is filing lawsuits citing egrecious political corruption. He calmly described all the charges he was filing, the obstacles he was up against and the outrageousness of the offenses. He was clearly passionate about his endeavor – and yet he sounded calm.
His tone created a sense of calm in me, and a sense of confidence. This man was realistic – and he came across as highly competent.
I like the phrase “despair is not an option.” It’s not. When you despair, you weaken yourself. The wise take the ups and downs in stride, pursuing evenly toward their goal.
So take the first step toward political persuasiveness. Stay clam.
Unite and Concur Pressroom