If you get to thirty and you still think persuasion is about making a logical argument, you have already lost
Peter Zarris - CEO of OPIC “If you get to thirty and you still think persuasion is about making a logical argument, you have already lost”
I first came across Peter when one of my
businesses built a website for Peter that would allow them to select
the best psychometric tool for any situation. Downstream we became
friendly and he also did some testing for my staff. On one discussion
with Peter over coffee about why a business partner couldn’t see sense
in a particular course of action, Peter stated “If you get to thirty
and you still think persuasion is about making a logical argument, you
have already lost”. I came to realise that what was logical to me, was
based on my values and experiences and others would intepret the same
set of facts according to their own values and experiences. It was a
real slap in the face to me because up to that moment, logic had been
king. Peter also told me that if you really want to change, understand
its going to hurt. And if it doesn’t hurt, your not doing right.
Peter’s insights fundamentally changed the way I deal with people.
