To heal a bitterly divided nation, Nelson Mandela characterized “our” goal of bringing the World Cup to South Africa in his motto, Want to instantly shape how others feel about you or something that really matters to you? Set the context by making a vivid comparison. Those who are fighting for more nutritious school lunches did exactlythat recently. "A McDonald's burger is safer than your kid's school lunch. The government has given schools meat that would have been rejected by many fast-food restaurants across the country." Wow. Yes, negative comparisons, even more than positive ones, stick in the mind. It was back in college when my friend Jim told me his hometown, Stockton, was sometimes called “the armpit of the west.” Make comparisons using analogies, similes and metaphors. Here’s a rebutting analogy you may not forget yet wish you could, “It's absurd that we only have an oral tablet to treat vomiting. It's like treating diarrhea with a suppository.” Metaphors are the most powerful of these three attitude-changers. Security expert Michael Spearman gave a metaphor. He characterized the prevalence of nonworking cameras in housing projects as "Using cameras without having anyone monitor them is like buying a condom and then punching holes in it.” Mixed metaphors aren’t effective behavior-changers yet often a source of humor: “When Frank smells blood, you’re toast.” “It’s a long road to open a can of worms.” The more vivid, credible and relevant your comparison the more likely it is that others will repeat it. Repetition creates familiarity. Familiarity hastens acceptance. What comparisons have influenced your beliefs and behavior? Now, want to trick your mind (or other’s) into making smarter choices? See links at http://sayitbetter.typepad.com/say_it_better/change_minds/
Posted via email from Kare Anderson on Communicate to Connect
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