Immediately changing someone’s mind with just a few persuasive words is not easy, and yet, for some reason I attempt this far more often than I care to admit.
Why? I’m not really sure. Maybe it’s because that as long as the odds are non-zero, there’s always a chance if I take a shot.
What’s more effective? Seeking gradual change over time.
The idea is simple: show up, every day, to tell a consistent story that resonates with those I’m trying to influence. But instead of urgency and aggression, the approach requires patience and encouragement.
Little by little, day by day, I’m just trying to make incremental progress. Over the long haul, the cumulative effect can be immense.
(Good teachers and parents are persuasive in this way.)