Best Outcomes in Persuasion

Goals

• Describe the best possible outcomes of persuasion.
• Skillfully apply this understanding.

What?

Let’s imagine someone with the best persuasive powers in the world — skilled, ethical, charismatic, and trusted. Even this person will not persuade everyone.

The best realistic outcome of persuasion is that you will reach and influence a percentage of people — not 100%. This is not a flaw; it’s a fact of human nature.

Why Even the Best Can Only Persuade a Fraction

1. People Differ

   • Values differ: What matters deeply to one person might not matter at all to another.
   • Beliefs differ: Some hold tightly to certain ideas regardless of evidence or argument.
   • Goals differ: What’s a compelling outcome for one person may be irrelevant or threatening to another.

2. Resistance Exists

   • People often have emotional defenses, social pressures, or confirmation biases that make them resist even the most compelling message.
   • Sometimes people dig in when they feel they are being persuaded.

3. Context Matters

   • Timing, mood, trust, culture, and many other contextual factors determine whether someone is persuadable.
   • A brilliant message delivered at the wrong time often fails.

4. Ethical Limits

   • A truly great persuader respects autonomy and doesn’t manipulate. This limits their power compared to someone using unethical methods.

Why Learn This?

• Set Realistic Expectations: Knowing that even the best persuaders don’t reach everyone helps you stay grounded.
• Protect Your Energy: You can focus on the people who are ready or open to change.
• Reduce Frustration: You’ll feel less discouraged when some people say no or push back.

Excellence in Persuasion

• Use Your Best Methods: Prepare well, listen closely, speak clearly, and connect emotionally.
• Accept the Outcome Without Judgment: If someone doesn’t change, it doesn’t mean you failed — it may mean they’re not ready or willing yet.

Key Insight

The job of a great persuader is not to persuade everyone — it’s to reach the right people, in the right way, at the right time.