3 Unique Talents for Persuasion: Which Is Yours?

You've heard it:

"I could never be in sales."

Monitor your conversations for a day. How often are your really trying to convince someone to see things your way?

For some reason it's OK to persuade but icky to sell. (You might change your mind about the sales thing if you looked into the financial compensation of successful sales people).

Let's Talk Persuasion: 3 Different Ways

I use proprietary assessments to help people clarify their talents. One of the things we've discovered is that there  are three distinct ways that people can be gifted at persuasion:

1. Negotiating. This is an above-average ability to discern the needs and desires of two people--or groups--and orchestrate agreement between them.

If this is a talent of yours, people will see you actively seeking to assist people in conflict. Those with this talent can quickly garner the credibility needed to help resolve issues.

Do you inherently "jump in" when you see the need for resolution? Are you successful more often than not?

2. Selling. This is just what it implies. People with this specific talent excel at introducing a product or concept and then going for "the close," whether it's money or a commitment.

Are you always thinking about better ways to get a commitment. . .now?!

3. Promoting. Think about someone whose enthusiasm and excitement is infectious. As a result, with multiple exposures and relationship, other people are willing to try out a new idea and look at new ways of seeing things.

The "close" is a fait accompli. There's no reason to say  "will that be cash or charge?" The organic nature of the process leads to implementation or closure.

Do people accept your ideas because of your genuine enthusiasm and willingness to spread your enthusiasm over a period of time? Do you view yourself as an educator who brings about change?

One of these is your gift. Acknowledge it, learn more about it, use it often, and don't let anyone talk you into doing it differently.

The world and the workplace need to be influenced by people with sound ideas and positive motives.

How will you exercise your persuasive talent today?

Comments

[Miracle]

Hey, great post. I found your blog through problogger :). I don't consider myself as a salesman, but more of a teacher. I always wished I could be able to make a sell, but I never thought it was in my cards. If this is true, how do I know which gift I have?

[Steve Roesler]

Miracle,

From my experience, your description (teaching) aligns with the "promoting" talent. Folks in that category achieve their persuasive intentions through education as well as enthusiasm.

I think I need to add a bit to the post :-)

[ann michael]

Great post, Steve.

One point that I often find myself covering with clients is that if they are in an organization and they require input, resources, or decisions from anyone other than themselves, they are in sales and marketing. Their ideas, intentions, and desired outcomes have to be marketed, perhaps revised, and ultimately sold to their colleagues (at many levels).

I used to feel that sales was a "dirty word" until I realized that's only true when selling is all about the seller and not all about the client!

Looking at your post, I'd say I'm a promoter (with a minor in negotiating!).

Ann

[Steve Roesler]

Thanks for the important organizational application, Ann. That's the important part for everyone to understand.

And having met you, I concur with your self-assessment :-)