Margaret’s Persuasion Coach Blog
What You Gain from Listening
Interesting quote from Alan Alda, “Listening is being able to be changed by the other person.” That quote might seem a little scary at gut level. Why? In these times of such extreme polarization, we might think that listening could mean we change into what the other person is or believing ideas that we currently consider abhorrent. Another reason involves our brain wiring, wiring that evolved for survival in prehistoric times but does not always serve us well these days. From my upcoming book, Women Can Renew the World If…and So Can You:
Axios’ Take on Dealing with Others
Axios recently launched a new e-newsletter, Finish Line, that focuses on upbeat stories. A recent issue summarizes how Axios trains its employees to deal with one another. You know, I train people to deal with one another in more productive ways, and I found this issue of Finish Line worth sharing and commenting upon.
When Others Don’t Listen to Us
Last time, I wrote about the power of listening. I got some feedback I thought deserved more than just a comment from me. Rather, I decided to build a new post around it. My blog follower wrote that she believed, in order for listening to work, both parties must be willing to listen. She also alluded to Vladimir Putin.
The Power of Listening
Many of the principles of persuasion and consensus building are counterintuitive, perhaps none more so than the value of listening. When we disagree with someone, our knee-jerk reaction is to go into defense mode, don our mental boxing gloves and prepare our arguments. In fact, however, the most persuasive people listen more than they speak. When they do speak, they ask questions more than they make statements. The key to reaching a meeting of the minds is
This Lady Had Personality!
Understanding personality, or temperament, plays a significant role in the skills I teach. Although scholars have recognized different human temperament types as far back as ancient Greece, it was Isobel Briggs Meyers, with the help of her mother and spouse, who fully fleshed out the concept.
Dealing with Difficult People
A recent Facebook post by KUHT called to mind a book I have used with and recommend to a number of individual clients, Working with Difficult People by Amy Cooper Hakim and Muriel Solomon. This is not the kind of book you need to read from cover to cover. Rather…
Charlie and the Silver Rule of Consensus, Part II
Say, you’d ideally like Charlie to correct his mispronunciation, especially since he will soon be representing the committee at an interdenominational meeting. How can you do this while maintaining Charlie’s enthusiasm? Here’s a tiny sampling of tips…
Charlie and the Silver Rule of Consensus, Part I
Pretty much every religion had some leader or sage who pronounced a Golden Rule—we should treat others as we ourselves would like to be treated…So sometimes people wonder why those in their congregations and charitable organizations who believe in the Golden Rule still offend or hurt one another…One reason is that not everybody wants to be treated the same way in any given situation, so even when we treat others as we would like to be treated, we may still offend them.
New Years Wishes for You
I found it difficult to come up with a topic for my 2021 New Year's post. Sometimes it seems like we are living in a different world, one we never would have imagined. Sometimes it seems like the world changes faster than we can keep up with it. Focus on the Positive...
Thanksgiving Tidbits
Where is the thanks in thanksgiving for you? Many people offer thanks for the good things in their lives to some higher power. Many pay it forward by making donations of money or time to charities that help people who do not enjoy our advantages. I certainly try to do...