Persuasion and Positive Social Change
In this course so far, you have begun to engage with the idea of persuasion as it applies to marketing. In the Week 5 Discussion, you reflected upon a buying experience in which you were persuaded, through marketing efforts, to make a purchase. Now think back to leaders you have known or observed who were particularly good at persuading others toward a shared vision or common goals. What was it about their persuasive approach that made it particularly compelling? Were there ever any negative consequences of them employing persuasion?
As you continue to develop your own skills of persuasion, consider how you might use those skills most effectively to make a positive impact through your life and work. In this Discussion, you will consider the risks and benefits of using persuasion to influence others and will share with your colleagues how you might use your own skills of persuasion to bring about positive social change.
To prepare for this Discussion:
Review the following videos on persuasion. As you watch, consider that persuasion is an important employability skill that empowers individuals to influence outcomes, build relationships, and drive positive change in the workplace. Persuasion facilitates effective leadership and management by enabling individuals to convey ideas with clarity and conviction, facilitating mutually beneficial outcomes, and inspiring teams to rally behind a shared vision.
- Walden University, LLC. (2021). Persuasion [Video]. Walden University Canvas.
- Consider how you have exhibited persuasion within a business setting.
Post a summary of the role of persuasion in a business context to promote positive social change, to include the following:
- Describe at least two ways in which you have used persuasion in a business environment. Be specific in your response.
- Identify at least two benefits of using persuasion to influence others at work. Identify at least one potential risk of utilizing persuasion in a business environment and how a person can work to overcome those risks.
- Explain how you, as a business professional and leader, will use your own skills of persuasion to be an agent of positive change.
