Management Tip of the Day: Persuade without alienating

BOSTON (Reuters) - There are some simple ways to help persuade people to believe in your idea without alienating them, says Harvard Business Review.

The Management Tip of the Day offers quick, practical management tips and ideas from Harvard Business Review and HBR.org (http:\\www.hbr.org). Any opinions expressed are not endorsed by Reuters.

"Persuading people to believe in your idea is a critical leadership skill. But too many managers don't know how.

Here are three things to try next time you need to gain consensus or secure a deal:

1. Don't make the hard sell. Setting out a strong position at the start gives opponents something to fight. It's better to present your position with reserve, so you can adjust it if needed.

2. Don't resist compromise. Compromise is not surrender. People want to see that you are flexible enough to respond to their concerns and incorporate their perspectives.

3. Don't assume it's a one-shot deal. Persuasion is a process. You'll rarely arrive at a solution on the first try. Listen, test your position, and then refine it based on the group's input."

- Today's management tip was adapted from the book, "Guide to Managing Up and Across."

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