Being influential can be challenging in-and-of-itself; being influential with a skeptical audience poses its own unique difficulties. Engaging with people who seem dubious or doubtful in the face of your really good ideas can feel like being in a mental tug of war.
Andrea Howe leads an interactive “deep dive” discussion on three critical steps required to help a skeptical audience hear what you have to say. Specifically, you’ll learn:
– Why you should actually celebrate that they’re resistant;
– How to open the conversation or presentation in an unexpected way that’s unexpectedly effective;
– Specific techniques to listen masterfully while your audience has their guard up; and
– How and when to bring your perspectives into the exchange.
The following two tabs change content below.
Andrea Howe
As the founder of The Get Real Project, I am the steward of our vision and our service offerings, as well as a workshop leader and keynote speaker.
Above all else, I am an entrepreneur on a mission: to kick conventional business wisdom to the curb and transform how people work together as a result. I am also the co-author, with Charles H. Green, of The Trusted Advisor Fieldbook (Wiley, 2012).
Latest posts by Andrea Howe (see all)
- Reprise: What to avoid (and embrace) in your year-end client reach-outs - November 24, 2025
- Reprise: Aiming for trust-building mastery? Practice overcoming awkwardness and embarrassment. - October 21, 2025
- Reprise: A critical influence lesson inspired by my elderly Mom - September 23, 2025