People come in all shapes and sizes. People also come with all kinds of personalities. Some are stubborn. Others wishy-washy. Some can be sensitive while others are abrasive.
Some of us are salespeople as a career. But in life, we are all in sales. We are all presenting either our ideas or ourselves to others with the goal of convincing them to believe.
How we make our presentation will vary depending on the recipient’s personality.
If we want to convince an aggressive person of our idea, it will not serve us well to push too hard. They will feel in competition and strive to keep control of the conversation.
However, we can take a different approach. We can present our idea and then follow up with things that are wrong with it. Often times, the aggressive personality will react by defending our idea and end up “selling themselves.”
With quiet and sensitive people, they will be scared off if we approach them with our idea in a bold and forceful manner. We will want to approach them by explaining our idea and then acting unsure and doubtful of the idea.
We will want to ask for their advice and encourage them to give us their opinion. Chances are, they will think carefully before responding. As they considers our idea, if it is a good one, they will most likely convince themselves.
We all know people who have a hard time making decisions. These first two approaches most likely will not work with someone who can’t make decisions easily. These type of people need more leading.
This is basically a five-step process:
1. Present your idea.
2. Tell your listener why your idea is good.
3. Show them how they will benefit from it.
4. Assume they are going along with your idea.
5. Assure them they have made the right decision.
By following this outline, you will help people who suffer from indecision walk through the process of making the decision.
Lastly, presenting your idea to a strong willed individual who has complete confidence in their own ability to make sound decisions usually requires presenting your idea and it’s merits in a factual and dramatic manner. Answer their questions clearly with confidence. They will then analyze your idea and make their own decision.
With these tips, you will be putting the odds in your favor of folks agreeing with you as you presenting your ideas.