How to Be More Persuasive

Non-sales selling techniques to get your way more often.

Whether or not you consider yourself a salesperson, you probably spend a good chunk of your time trying to influence others.

Maybe you’ve explained a new process to your team (more than once!) but they keep sliding into old habits.

Maybe you’re negotiating with a vendor or trying to get a partner on board with a new idea.

Or maybe you’re trying to convince a client to take your advice.

In all of those moments, you’re selling – just not in the traditional sense.

Author Daniel Pink calls this non-sales selling: the ability to change someone’s behaviour while striking a balance between what they want and what you can offer. (For more on this, check out his book, To Sell is Human.)

Four Ways To Be More Persuasive

Here are four simple ways to become more persuasive in your everyday conversations.

Think back to the last time you didn’t get your way. Which of these could have been stronger, and might have led to a different outcome?

1. Focus On The Result

It’s easy to get caught up in how you want something done, but it’s easier to align on the next steps once you’ve agreed on the outcome. If your team understands why a process exists and what success looks like, they’ll take more ownership and make better decisions along the way.

Instead of saying “Follow this new client intake checklist,” try, “This checklist helps make sure every client feels taken care of from day one.” When people see the end goal, they’re more likely to buy in to doing the work.

2. Make It VAK

People process information in three main ways: Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic (by doing). The more ways you present your message, the more it sticks.

When communicating, consider the audience. If they’re highly visual, for example, think about how to incorporate visual aids like images, videos, and flowcharts.

What works best for you might not work for your audience, so pay attention to their learning style and meet them where they can best understand what you’re trying to say.

3. Ask More Questions

Questions show openness, curiosity, and respect. They help others feel invested in the situation.

If a team member resists a new policy, ask “What part of this feels hardest to follow?” or “What would make this easier for you?” You’ll uncover hidden roadblocks… and maybe even land on a better idea.

4. Balance Task-Focused & People-Focused Communication

Just like different learning styles, people have wildly different communication styles. With people-oriented communicators, jumping directly into a conversation about actions and results feels rude and abrupt. They need to connect person-to-person with a little chit chat first, and they want to make sure everyone’s on the same page.

More task-oriented communicators might hate the same small talk – they’re ready to jump right in and get to work.

When you need a decision, a task-oriented person will appreciate clear next steps. A people-oriented person will respond better if you take a moment to connect before diving in. There isn’t a right or wrong approach, but adjusting your tone and pacing helps your message land without friction.

This Week’s Takeaway

Persuasion is a critical leadership skill, and not just so you get your way more often.

When you understand what others value, how they think, and what motivates them, you can get into alignment faster. Your decision speed increases, and you learn faster.

If you’re interested in learning more, join me this Friday for ActionCLUB, where we’ll be talking about communication methodologies to help you finetune this essential skill. Learn more below.

November 14th: DISC for Entrepreneurs

Last call to join ActionCLUB this Friday, Nov 14th! We’ll be diving into how to use the DISC model to improve communication, build trust, and boost performance.

I’m also thrilled to have guest speaker Michael Gibben joining me for this session!

Venue: In-person at The London Gate Pub (Etobicoke, near the airport)
Time: 10am – 1pm, November 14
Registration: $50 per person, with networking lunch included
Prize Draw: Two, 30-Minute DISC & leadership growth sessions!

Follow the link to register: caitlinblundell.actioncoach.com/actionclub

Don’t miss the chance to connect, learn, and walk away with peer ideas you won’t get anywhere else.

Uncommon Service: By Frances Frei, Anne Morriss

This book will challenge what “excellence” really means for your customers. See how customer service can be a strategic advantage when it’s intentionally built into every part of your business model. It’s a refreshingly practical framework for anyone who wants to compete not by doing more, but by serving smarter.

Check it out!