Make them See It Your Way
Good morning ladies and gentlemen, For a long time I was one of these people that wanted to make people see it my way or from my point of view; and not only that, but to agree with me. I would exhaust every effort to make that person agree with me, and if they did not see it my way I would not have anything to do with them. But one thing that I had to come to realize is that not everyone is going to see it your way, and not everyone is going to agree with you. And even if you are right most of the time they are not going to see it your way right then. Why not? Why can’t they see it your way right then; it’s not that hard to realize this, are they really that stupid? Here is the thing, thePerson in front of you; isn’t fighting you, they’re fighting to be understood by you. They’re fighting to feel understood by you. If I want you to change your mind; and I say that you’re wrong about something, I’m not just saying you’re wrong. I’m saying that your wife is wrong, your dad‘s wrong, your parents are wrong, your grandmother is wrong. That thing that you went to when you were a kid that’s a big crystallizing moment in your life that set your belief system is all wrong, it’s become part of your identity. I think I’m fighting an opinion, I’m not I’m fighting now your identity. If you want to change somebody’s mind number one: you have to validate them. Two, you can’t argue against their identity; you have to argue against the value, you have to find the value and speak to the value. Three: understand that one conversation is generally not enough; if you want somebody to change their mind it takes years, it takes months, or even weeks, and the bigger the belief the more time it’s gonna take. So when you are trying to express your ideas, thoughts, or position on something and the person that you are dealing with does not agree with you or see it the way you see it think about this. Be patient, respect their thoughts and value on the issue or topic. And know that when you value them and their thoughts the way you want them to value yours, they might bring that level of defense down low enough to see or understand where you are coming from.