BLUF

If you need somebody to back your idea—asking for their advice instead of their opinion is more likely to provide you with a collaborator instead of a critic.

Summary

Psychology professor Robert Cialdini has studied the science of persuasion for 35 years and has discovered that asking for someone's opinion makes them take a step back and become a critic when what you want is an accomplice. Cialdini claims by changing just one word and asking for advice instead of an opinion; you will receive a 'significantly more favourable reaction to the same idea'. They are more likely to take a step towards you as they see themselves as a partner who is helping you. Further, if they give you advice, Cialdini notes that '… you get an accomplice', and clearly, a collaborator is usually more advantageous than a critic. In his best-selling book 'Influence: The art of persuasion'  Cialdini outlines many other ethical ways that you can apply in business and everyday situations.

Learn more about how to get people to be your collaborator instead of your critic.

References