Persuasion is a vital communication skill in the workplace especially for those who must acquire the support of others in order to get things or job done. Their ability to persuade reflects in desired outcomes of the company. "Like a building, effective persuasion rests on a solid foundation: combination of trust, understanding of the people one aims to persuade, and a credible case" (Mcintosh, Luecke & Davis 2008, p. 115).

In addition to above mentioned foundations, to achieve desired outcomes in persuading others, the use of persuasive language is one of the other crucial aspects to consider. By using the language of persuasion we emphasize the benefits of our proposal and speak to both the intellect and the emotions of our target audience. (Luecke, RA 2010)

In terms of Silo Thinking or Silo Mentality and overcoming these barriers to success in particular organisations, I believe that the more persuasive the managers are, the fewer barriers to success such as Silo Thinking will occur. Based on my experience, persuading others is more successful when the recipient of information is familiar with the overall content, objective or plan. Another beneficial aspect is the use of clear and comprehensible language supported by the number of logical arguments. The more we understand our target audience, the more effective our persuasiveness will be.

1 reflect on your ability to persuade others when presenting topics.

2 What made you effective in the workplace?

3 How did you overcome the anxiety normally associated with business presentations?

4 How does this relate to the material you have learned this week?

5 How would you present a management plan to your colleagues?