Ask them for their advice, rather than an opinion.
When you ask for advice, you are doing the right thing, you are getting people inside the tent.
When you ask for an opinion, you are often doing the wrong thing.
You are giving them the opportunity for them to go back inside themselves, weigh up their views, and then tell you what they think you should do. Once said, it becomes harder for them to accept when the action you take is different.
When you by contrast ask for their advice, one word only is changed, but you have them inside your tent, they are a part of the solution you then present.
It seems logical to use props to make your position clear before you asked for something, setting out to engage others before you ask. However, it does not work all that well.
If I was collecting for the wilderness society, I would not dress up in a koala suit and hang around corners with a bucket asking for donations.
Instead, I would ensure that I was neatly dressed, and approached people who looked similar to me, and ask if they felt that there was enough being done to save the environment. Most would say ‘no’, which is then the time to ask for a donation to do more.
When they agree with your proposition, you have them inside your tent, the one that is concerned about the degradation of the environment. Under that circumstance they will be more likely to give you a donation, than they would if you accost them on a corner in a koala suit.
That was quick!!
Yes, amaing how oner little word can completely change the dynamics of a conversation.
Great advice. I continue to be amazed at the influencing power that comes from choosing just one different word