How to Answer: How do you convince others to see things your way?
8. How do you convince others to see things your way?
The Goal
The interviewer wants to know that you have solid persuasive skills. The goal of your response is to show that you can influence people through an inspirational approach rather than pushing others to see things from your perspective in an uncomfortable, forceful, or unprofessional manner.
Written by Rachelle Enns on March 16th, 2022
What to Avoid
Avoid an answer that makes you sound pushy and forceful. Instead, give a response that shows you are persuasive without being a workplace bully.
Written by Rachelle Enns on March 16th, 2022
Pro Tip
There are a variety of persuasion techniques that are helpful to use in the workplace. Some approaches include:
- The 'Framing' method
- The 'WIIFT' technique (What's In It For Them)
- The 'BYAF' technique (But You Are Free)
- Describing how your approach is working for others
- Using words like 'we' rather than 'me'
- Gaining agreement on a more minor point and then working toward an agreement on the more significant point
- Leveraging data and evidence to make your case
Written by Rachelle Enns on March 16th, 2022
How to Answer
Perhaps you are a confident and opinionated person, and maybe you are not. This question can be challenging to approach either way since you don't want to come across as a push-over, and you don't want to come across as too pushy in the workplace. It's essential to show that you have professional balance when convincing others to see your point of view. Describe your favorite method of persuasion.
If you have a real-life example of a time when you persuaded someone to see things your way, be sure to provide a brief story-based example for the interviewer. In that case, you can use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when forming your story.
Written by Rachelle Enns on March 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"When I would like others to see my way, I am sure to carefully lay out the ways that my idea will benefit them. I review those reasons, collect agreement from them, and then close them on the idea by having them agree that it's the soundest decision or choice."
Written by Rachelle Enns on March 16th, 2022
Retail Example
"When I'm trying to convince someone to be on my side, I am sure to make it clear how my ideas will benefit them. As I speak with them, I make small comments throughout the conversation to get them to agree with me along the way. As they start to say 'yes' to smaller questions or comments, they begin to come over to my side. Then, I review the reasons they just agreed with, getting another, bigger 'yes,' and conclude with them making a verbal statement of official agreement."
Written by Rachelle Enns on March 16th, 2022
Sales Example
"To get customers or coworkers to see things my way, I first learn what they want to achieve and work to understand their pain point. Then, by doing so, I can emphasize the points that are the most meaningful to their goals. In doing this, I craft a personalized, persuasive case that ensures they will get to the point of 'yes' that I am looking to achieve."
Written by Rachelle Enns on March 16th, 2022
Teacher Example
"I often have to convince my students to see things my way, which usually involves getting them excited or challenging them in a fun, interactive way. Interestingly enough, it's a reasonably effective approach with adults, too. I find that if I can get my students excited about a task, project, or idea, they buy-in and do most of the convincing on their own without too much convincing from me."
Written by Rachelle Enns on March 16th, 2022
Admin Example
"If I want others to see things my way, showing them my raw passion is the best way to do it. I get excited about my idea and tell them the 'why' behind the excitement. Once someone understands the 'why' behind what I'm looking to achieve, it becomes much simpler to gain their buy-in."
Written by Rachelle Enns on March 16th, 2022
Manager Example
"I have found that facts are the best way to support an opinion and idea. If I have a big idea, I will create a presentation and gain buy-in from my team based on all the benefits of the proposed idea that I am pitching."
Written by Rachelle Enns on March 16th, 2022
Marketing Example
"What's In It For Them (WWIFT) is one of the first things I was taught in marketing when it comes to gaining the interest of a new customer. If I want others to see things my way, I focus on what they will gain by coming to my side! This approach works for me nearly every time."
Written by Rachelle Enns on March 16th, 2022
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Once co-workers know where you are coming from, the task of promoting ideas becomes much easier. Naturally, I don't expect acceptance for all of my ideas, but thanks to the context provided by this kind of honest exchange with coworkers, it is much more likely my ideas will be better understood and evaluated on their merit."
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