In Your Power

CHAPTER 9Persuasion: From Unheard to Undeniable

“You don't rise to the occasion, you sink to the level of your training.”

—Navy Seal saying

Now that you're in your power, you might be fired up and ready to march up to the powers that be to boldly ask for what you want and tell them how things need to be done. Yes! But before you do that, let's think through your approach and set you up for success.

One of the most common catalysts to being out of our power is the frustration that we can't get other people to act on our ideas or requests. How many times have you had an experience broadly similar to this one with a manager, peer, or family member?

You've suggested to your boss that your apparel company work with a reverse commerce service, which facilitates customers selling their used purchases to one another. It would give a sizable lift to revenue, customers love the option, and it would support your company's sustainability goals. You even provided compelling data graphs. When you broached the idea enthusiastically with your boss he expressed little interest.

To you, it's a slam dunk. His response makes no sense. How could he not see the merit? It feels as if the decision‐maker is willfully devaluing your ideas or trying to subvert you. You take it personally, and you're down the rabbit hole out of your power. It makes you want to say, “Why bother.”

In my experience many times what you take to be active thwarting is rather the case that you haven't been as effective as ...