The art of persuasion is perfected at an early age. Infants quickly learn that smiles beget smiles. A little later on, toddlers learn that smiles beget attention and, isn't attention what we all thrive on? Somewhere on down the line little girls learn how to twist Daddy around their little fingers and boys may learn how to melt Mom's heart. As children age and become teenagers and young adults, they may turn their wiles toward winning the attention of the objects of their affection. And so the cycle continues as it has through the centuries.
Persuading those who do not love us is another matter. I'm uncertain if it is easier to persuade a total stranger or someone I am very close to. I would lean toward the former. Total strangers may be more apt to listen dispassionately and be more objective when considering that which we are promoting or presenting. To be sure, over the years, many a ploy has been employed to persuade another person or group to 'see things our way'. Convincing tactics are the goal of any person who is charged with corporate or retail sales. Convincing tactics are used by every teenager on the planet in order to shame, guilt or exhort one or both parents into allowing the use of the family vehicle. Consider the debate team's persuasive speech requirement. I see this as simply more practice for the teenager to hone his or her skill for parental management.
At times, one of the most frustrating challenges to the art of persuasion is that of persuading another person, or group, whom may or may not share my passion for the project I am 'pedaling'. There will always be project peddlers. In Washington D.C. they call project peddlers lobbyists, a word that, more often than not, carries with it a negative connotation.
I am in the process of researching the perfect project peddler for my latest endeavor: This person must excel at pleading a case successfully and must possess the skills necessary for puppy procurement. Yes, that is right. I am searching for a puppy-procurement-project-peddler.
Interested parties should apply within immediately.
Ancora imparo
