I recently spoke at a student safety conference on “Crisis Communication: How to Get the Message Out to Students.” Here is one of the key points I made in my presentation.
In this example, you can prove your point using few words by comparing two images with contrasting perspectives. You then ask your audience (or person you wish to influence) one simple question. It goes like this:
Here is the crime rate for a one week period in a large city. Each bubble represents a type of crime:
Here is the crime rate for the same period in a smaller community:
Question: Now, where would you like your 18 year old daughter to attend college?
See how that goes? You don’t have to argue or get wordy. The old adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words” is certainly true!
Application:
- Hopefully, to help your daughter attend college in a low crime town!
- To encourage a friend to make a healthier choice
- To stimulate critical thinking skills in students
- To help your team come to consensus without being heavy handed
- To break through a stalemate with your spouse
YOUR THOUGHTS:
I know it’s sometimes tough to get people to see our point of view, so how do you make a persuasive point? Do you just hit ‘em with the facts or try to persuade with emotion? Or does bribery work, now and then? (grin)
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