How can you persuade others or influence them

Liz Makin Author

Mar 03, 2026 |

A look at the common ways of persuading others and influencing them and when to use them.

The ability to persuade others or influence them is a key part of communication. There are a number of different ways that you can use to persuade others or influence them. To decide the best method to use it is important to consider the person you are dealing with, along with the situation.

Common ways of persuading others or influencing them

We will now look at the most common ways of persuading others or influencing them and when each method is best used.

Reasoning: Using facts, logic and reasons to put your point of view across. This is best used where you can support your views with good facts, logic and reasons.

Inspiring: Appealing to the other person's emotions, using energy, passion and conviction. This is best used when you are looking for emotional commitment and when the reasoned view is weak.

Asking: Asking questions to encourage the other person to make up their own mind. This is best used when you want the other person to buy into the outcome and when dealing with someone more senior than you.

Complimenting: Making the other person feel good about themself. This is best used when the other person values your views and with people who look up to you.

Making a deal: Doing a deal by offering the other person something in return for what you want. This is best used when you don't mind making a deal and have something to offer as your part of the deal.

Calling in a favour: Getting what you want by calling in a favour. This is best used when you have a very good relationship with the other person.

Comparing to others: Persuading the other person by using the views of people they respect to support your argument. This is best used when the other person is easily swayed by the views of others.

Authority: Influencing by using rules or principles or quoting someone in authority. This should really only be used in exceptional circumstances as it will encourage compliance not commitment.

Forcing: Forcing the other person by using assertive behaviour. This is best used in emergency situations only.

You should use the most appropriate methods for the situation and the person you are dealing with and move between the different methods if your chosen one is not working. 

Also consider the sequence in which you use the different methods as some sequences work better than others e.g. after trying forcing it would be very difficult to make a deal.

Do you want to explore more about communication?

If you want practical tips and strategies to help you more effectively communicate and build good relationships in your life and at work our communication online courses are for you.

Take a look at our communication online courses by clicking on the links below:

Communication for life: how to be a better communicator

Communication for business owners, directors & managers

Conflict management for life & work

How to deal with difficult people in life & work

You can take a look at our range of online personal development courses and bundles, including current special offers, at https://onlinecourses.makinithappen.co.uk

Categories: : Communication, Online courses, Personal development, Soft skills