How we change what others think, feel, believe and do |
Challenge Priorities
Techniques > General persuasion > Being Right > Challenge Priorities Description | Example | Discussion | See also
DescriptionWhen people seem to have a reasonable argument for something, you can be more right than them by showing that what you want is more important. Ways to challenge priorities include:
If you are trying to persuade, use this to set criteria and priorities before you make the main argument. If you can own what is important, then you can be right far more often. ExampleRight, what's important here is winning. Nothing else matters, right? How did you decide that is important? What criteria did you use? What weighting? Short-term profit is not as important as considering customers. DiscussionThe core of decision-making is to compare choices against criteria that represent priority. If you can own criteria you can own priorities and so force decisions. When people make decisions, they often do not think very deeply about why they are making the choices they do. This gives an opportunity to challenge the process and criteria they are using. Challenge is often best done using surprise. Let them talk and appear to be agreeing with them. Then dig into what they say, initially with gentle inquiry but then persisting, with stronger assertions until they have to concede. As with all argument, challenging criteria can be helped significantly if you prepare. Think beforehand what criteria are reasonable and which are more important (to do this, think about the criteria you use to select criteria). Consider other people who will benefit or lose out from the decision. Consider factors such as price, quality and necessity. Criteria is a plural, by the way. The singular is criterion. See also |
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Site Menu |
| Home | Top | Quick Links | Settings | |
Main sections: | Disciplines | Techniques | Principles | Explanations | Theories | |
Other sections: | Blog! | Quotes | Guest articles | Analysis | Books | Help | |
More pages: | Contact | Caveat | About | Students | Webmasters | Awards | Guestbook | Feedback | Sitemap | Changes | |
Settings: | Computer layout | Mobile layout | Small font | Medium font | Large font | Translate | |
| Home | Top | Menu | Quick Links | |
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