How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Empowering

Techniques > General persuasion > Creating Cognitive Load > Empowering

Description | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Fill people's minds by giving them both responsibility for challenging tasks and authority to make decisions about how they will achieve this. Ensure also that they regularly report on progress.

Even in simple situations, give people leeway to take on tasks that will mentally tax them.

Example

Well I think you're ready to take on a full product launch. Can you have the plan ready for the next meeting? Of course you'll have to give up the advertising work. Don't worry, I can take care of that.

Can you fix my computer? ... Here's the problem. What do you think? ... I'm just piping out to get something for tonight. 

Discussion

When people get engaged in a task where they feel a strong need to succeed, they focus in and ignore other things or deal quickly with them, paying little regard to risks or finer nuances. It is in this space, where the person just wants to get rid of distractions, that people are more easily persuaded.

The need to succeed, and consequent focus, increases when we feel we have something to prove or when there is clear benefit to us if we deliver as expected. The focus may also be intensified when we fear failure or there are significant penalties for incomplete delivery.

See also

Leadership