I’m in the persuasion / engagement business and I hear this over and over again.
We need to get people motivated. Fired up. On side and on board. Rowing in the same direction. Singing from the same song sheet.
Well, you can’t motivate other people. Not going to happen. Not with carrots. Not with sticks. Forget rational arguments or emotional appeals.
Folks motivate themselves to start, stop or continue doing whatever you need done. Create the right conditions and people will pursue what’s in their own best interests. Which hopefully is also in your best interests. Shared interests.
Same holds true with communications. People just aren’t getting it, you say. The message isn’t getting through. We need to turn up the volume.
Well, odds are good that folks are getting the message. Maybe they just don’t like what you’re saying. And maybe you’re not listening.
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