Negotiation Information

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/


MORE RESOURCES:

Paper Terms US Presence in Talks As Iran's 'Victory'
istockAnalyst.com, OR - 6 hours ago
Text of commentary by Hoseyn Shari'atmadari headlined: This negotiation is not that negotiation! published by Iranian newspaper Keyhan on 21 July Has the ...


GulfNews

US and Iran: A One-Sided Negotiation
TIME - Jul 21, 2008
But when Rice took over as Secretary of State in 2005, she agreed to support European negotiations over Iran's nuclear program. ...
Will Iran Freeze? Payvand
Iran says nuclear talks a step forward Reuters UK
Appeasing Iran's Mullahs Middle East Times
Stanford Daily - Earthtimes (press release)
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Russian deputy PM to visit China for energy resources negotiations
Xinhua, China - 12 hours ago
Sechin will visit at the invitation of Vice Premier Wang Qishan, and they will co-chair the energy resources negotiation. China was looking forward to ...
Top Russian official to visit China this weekend for high-level ... International Herald Tribune
all 12 news articles


Talks continue with Bucs and Alvarez
MLB.com - 19 hours ago
"Unfortunately, it appears that clubs' behavior last year has made it more difficult to get negotiation started seriously early in the process," Coonelly ...


WELT ONLINE

US calls on Iran to choose nuclear negotiation
The Associated Press - Jul 19, 2008
GENEVA (AP) — The United States is calling on Iran to negotiate over its nuclear program, after diplomats agreed to resume talks in two weeks on suspending ...
Video: Iran: Nuclear Program Will Continue AssociatedPress
Flexibility points to Iran breakthrough Asia Times Online
Remarks En Route Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates US Department of State
Alalam News Network - PRESS TV
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Overnight WTO talks among most difficult negotiations: Mandelson
EUbusiness (press release), UK - 10 hours ago
In a blog, Peter Mandelson, commissioner for the last four years, described the 12 hours of negotiation between the EU, United States, Australia, China, ...
India warms to US offer to help save WTO talks Reuters India
Winning the trust vote might be good for WTO talks IBNLive.com
Political storm in New Delhi rocking WTO meet Economic Times
TopNews - Press Trust of India
all 346 news articles


City of Wichita Hires Consultants in City Manager Search
Kansas CW, KS - 2 hours ago
The contract with Slavin is still under negotiation so Mayor Carl Brewer didn't have price-tag. City council members expect the consultants to start ...


What You Need to Know to Negotiate Your Best Package
DiversityInc.com (subscription) - 9 hours ago
Negotiation is not the time to be shy, warns Chick. Not having a clear understanding of your value can cost you big. "Know your worth before you enter into ...


Two more negotiation sessions slated in Cranberry this summer
Oil City Derrick, PA - Jul 22, 2008
By MATT CARROLL Contract negotiations between the Cranberry Area School District and its teachers are continuing with summer winding down and the school ...


Seattle Post Intelligencer

Obama says Jerusalem 'will be capital of Israel'
Africasia, UK - Jul 23, 2008
I have said it before and will say it again... but I've also said that it is a final status issue" that must be decided by negotiation, he said in the ...
Video: Obama Says He's Committed to Israel's Security AssociatedPress
Obama begins European tour Aljazeera.net
Obama to Post: I'll do everything to stop Iran from Jerusalem Post
Palestine Media Center
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