Persuading the persuadable

I read the article Nonverbal Communication as a persuasion tool: Current Status and Future Directions by Maria Kopacz. This article addresses the implication of nonverbal communication of political candidates on potential voters during political campaigns. In the author’s review of nonverbal communication what most applies to my current work setting is the need to be cognizant of the image myself and colleagues project when we are conducting presentations where we are advising entrepreneurs and business owners on how to manage their businesses. Presentations in addition to one on one counseling sessions are our primary work. When you perform a roll or task everyday, all day you become very confident in your knowledge. You also become very comfortable. A slip up here or there, and off comment or poorly received joke just comes becomes something the co-workers can harass you about later. But that’s not all that comes out of it. Doubts in our knowledge or creditability could be perceived by first time attendees.

The author didn’t present any new information. We all know the importance of nonverbal communication. That knowledge is represented in quotes frequently referenced like, "What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say”. Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes (American Poet, Lecturer and Essayist, 1803-1882) I didn’t necessarily disagree with anything the author presented. But what was disheartening is that the article did not conclude anymore than it began with.

The most significant concept I garnered from this article is although I am consciously aware of the messages that we convey through our nonverbal communication and make a purpose to try to not send negative messages, I never stop to plan how I can use that same knowledge to strategically send positive messages to enhance our delivery.

Persuasion to me is the act of conveying the nonverbal and verbal messages in a manner that puts you in the best position to bring your listeners into agreement or in support of your desired outcome. In comparison the word convince means to bring (as by argument) to belief or action. To actuate means to put into action or move to action. The difference between these three types of communication is the latter two forced and has a direct approach while persuasion is caused by providing enough information in favor of what is desired that the person being persuaded that’s action.

The theory of mindful persuasion most applies to my current work setting. We provide information to always with the aim to give a value proposition to our audience, partners, and coworkers. We provide the information to encourage entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial thinking and then we provide the resources and support to develop the idea bring it to fruition.
I can apply the information, concepts and theories presented here to understand how my messages are could be perceived and adjust just them as needed for the best result.
In the 21st century our message is going out through multiple channels. Because many of these channels utilize electronic media we have to make sure that our message is consistent.