Watch Dr. Howard Dennis guide you through Core Session #10 on Persuasion Mastery and discover the preparation secrets of great influencers.
Grab your journal because we're diving into Core Session #10: Persuasion Mastery. This session will take about 7-11 minutes of focused work, but it could transform how you influence others for the rest of your life.
Let me start with something important: some people don't like the words "persuasion" or "influence," but here's the truth - we're all influencing others every single day. The question is: are you doing it effectively and authentically?
Before we dive into the questions, let me clarify something crucial about certified high performance coaching. Remember, it's about consistently exceeding standard norms over the long period while maintaining positive mental health and relationships.
But here's what makes it different: Certified high performance coaching isn't about telling you what to do. It's about getting you to create your future through specific questions and outcomes, leaving space for you to create.
Why? Because people support what they create. It's about you designing your life. We own what we create.
Question 1: Tell me about an area in your personal life where you're trying to persuade someone to change or help someone transition in life.
Question 2: What's been working with that approach? Is it even working? Write out what you've tried, and then identify what has not been working.
Question 3: Tell me about an area in your professional life where you're trying to help persuade someone to change or help them transition professionally. What's been working and what hasn't been working?
Question 4: What are your strong points? Where are you really good at persuasion or influencing people? Make a list.
Question 5: How could you apply your strengths in other areas of your life? Maybe you're great at influencing your kids but struggle at work, or vice versa. How can you take where you're strong and apply it where you're weaker?
Question 6: How long are you preparing for certain meetings where you have moments of influence? Do you even prepare for important conversations? Are you willing to prepare?
This is crucial. In my practice, when I see patient members or coaching clients, I prepare way before I see that person. There are things I go through beforehand, and afterward, I reflect on both interactions.
That's how our brain works - we want to be proactive, not reactive. Our brain also works through reflection.
Are you doing this for important conversations? Even if it's a meeting with your daughter, or if you're a grandparent speaking with a grandchild, are you preparing for that?
In our practice, we always have morning huddles. We talk about what patient members we're going to see, discuss certain situations, maybe identify educational materials we want to share.
I remember when I first started practice, I wouldn't review my schedule. I've seen surgeons who don't look at their schedules - they just go in thinking, "I've been doing this long enough. I don't need to prepare."
But here's the truth: We prepare to be more effective. If you want to be great in life, you've got to be a great student.
I recently re-certified my certified high performance coaching certificate. It was amazing - we had people in their seventies and eighties who are still improving their lives. They want to grow, and seeing that dedication is incredibly encouraging.
If you want to grow and be a student, you've got to have the attitude that you're always going to be learning until death. Never lose that growth mindset.
I came across an email from James Clear (author of "Atomic Habits") with some golden nuggets that relate perfectly to persuasion mastery:
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said: "Without haste, yet without rest."
I love that statement. It captures the essence of authentic influence.
Virginia Woolf said: "No need to hurry, no need to sparkle, no need to be anybody but yourself."
That's all we can be - the best self we can be. And that's what this is all about: growth. When we talk about persuasion or influence, we need to be the best version of ourselves to be the best for others.
James Clear shared this insight: "What story about humanity do your daily actions tell?"
Think about that. What story are your daily actions telling about who you are and what you stand for?
And finally: "Motivation often increases after you begin. The lesson is not to wish you had more motivation, but to make starting as easy as possible."
This leads to the most important point: It takes one step. It takes action.
Robert Ringer says something like "nothing moves unless something goes into motion." But nothing happens until we make a choice, make a decision, and get into action.
We can think all day about what we want to do, but we need to take one step.
That's why I've created my 5 Step Clarity Blueprint . Going through this blueprint will definitely help you become a better collaborator, influence others more effectively (whether family members or colleagues), and help you become a better person and student of life.
Sometimes that's all we need - to make the choice and get in motion.
Here's how to get it:
No excuses. Don't let a day turn into a week, turn into a month, turn into a year.
Remember Goethe's wisdom: "Without haste, yet without rest."
Move forward with purpose but without frantic energy. Be yourself - the best version of yourself. Prepare for important conversations. Learn from every interaction. And always remember that your daily actions are telling a story about who you are.
What story do you want your actions to tell?
Take that first step today. Get the blueprint. Start the work. Become the influencer you're meant to be - not through manipulation, but through authentic growth and genuine care for others.
Go out there and make a difference today.
Dr. Howard Dennis, CHPC
Your Certified High Performance Coach
Ready to master the art of authentic influence? Text "CLARITY" to 423-460-9757 for your FREE 5 Step Clarity Blueprint. Your journey to better influence starts with one step.