Path for Mastering Persuasion

Introduction

Aligned BookCourse: The Persuasion BookCourse

Goal State: Excel at ethical persuasion.

The path for reaching the goal state involves progressively learning the fundamentals.

  1. Learn a fundamental – through short, clear lessons and examples.
  2. Apply it in real life – using simple practice tasks and reflection prompts.
  3. Get feedback – from results, reactions, or guided examples.
  4. Reflect – think back on your experiences and figure what worked, how to improve concerns, and the next steps towards excellence.

Path

  1. Learning Persuasion Most people can excel at persuasion by learning the fundamentals through PwF (Practice with Feedback), as explained in this first lesson. Even better—the path is highly enjoyable and, for many, positively addictive.
  2. Persuasion. Persuasion is the process of changing the beliefs, actions, or identity of your target.
  3. Persuasion TwFs. Here are some Tasks with Feedback.
  4. Ethical Persuasion. This type of persuasion involves focusing on the best interests of your target and using methods that are acceptable.
  5. Manipulative Persuasion This type of persuasion uses unethical methods—such as misinformation, coercion, or psychological manipulation—often ignoring the target’s best interests.
  6. The Essence of Persuasion Persuasion succeeds when you influence your target’s brain—first by passing five key filters, then by applying RC’s-7-principle Cialdini’s principles to strengthen the “yes.”
    1. The 5-Brain-Filters-Model (VIRCA) Persuasion succeeds when your target’s brain—often automatically—says yes to five key filters: value, risk, identity, clarity, and autonomy.
    2. Cialdini’s Seven Principles To get people to say yes, apply seven principles: reciprocity, committment, social proof, authority, liking, scarcity, and unity.
    3. How Skilled Deception Works Skilled deceivers manipulate the 5-brain-filters, artfully apply RC’s 7 principles, and often use unethical methods, primarily false information, coercion, and psychological tricks.
  7. Frameworks for Persuasion. A framework is a structure for succeeding at something that is considered hard or nearly impossible.
    1. The PSSA Framework. PSSA is highly effective, 4-part framework for persuading others: Problem → Stakes → Solution → Action.
    2. Ethos, Pathos, and Logos (EPL) EPL, from Aristotle’s Rhetoric, states that a persuasive message should appeal to ethos (credibility and character), pathos (emotion), and logos (reason and logic).