Business Communication, Essay Example

Abstract

The paper discusses the basic principles of persuasive communication in business. In business communication, persuasiveness is often associated with manipulation, unethical behaviors, and even deception. The aim of the paper is to break the myth that effective persuasion is impossible without manipulation and tricks.

Introduction

Throughout my life, I faced numerous situations when effective persuasion was critical for the success of my individual and professional endeavors. I witnessed how my friends and coworkers applied to different methods of persuasion. Not always were their persuasion methods ethical and honest. Life has taught me that effective persuasion in business communication is possible without manipulation and unethical behaviors. If I try to persuade my audience to take some action, I try to develop credibility, use logical arguments, tie facts to the benefits of the proposed action and avoid using threatening tone. These are absolutely honest and ethical techniques that have proved to be effective instruments of persuasion.

Credibility and logical arguments are the best friends of effective persuasion. Manipulation, tricks, and deception are easy to detect, whilst credible atmosphere and logical arguments make it difficult for the audience to argue my position. Logic is, probably, the most productive tool of persuasion. Structured representation of facts persuades the audience to take the proposed action better than any manipulation. I always seek to tie these facts to the benefits of the proposed action. I try to make people see, how they will benefit from taking this action and what will happen if they decide to choose a different decision-making path. None of these tools is even close to manipulation; rather, it is a well-developed strategy of persuasion in business.

Tone is important, too. Actually, tone is what distinguishes effective persuasion from manipulation. I intentionally try to avoid threatening tone. I try to be calm, pleasant, likeable, and, when necessary, enthusiastic. I have learned that the audience can be particularly sensitive toward the tone, and the success of any persuasive message largely depends on the tone I choose to deliver the message to people. All these techniques prove that effective persuasion is possible without manipulation and can be absolutely ethical and just.