Thread by @NaijaFlyingDr

I spoke about four tools one can use to become more persuasive.

1. Logic and rational persuasion: this is the most common, I use this a lot. But as you may have realised, it doesn't really work on Nigerians. And according to research isn't the most effective.

https://twitter.com/NaijaFlyingDr/status/1460836381983453188

2. Appealing to emotions: If you think of our Nigerian twitter overlords, this is the technique they use effectively.

Most of the "gender wars" etc are emotional, not logical or backed with any data. Successful politicians & business people use this all the time.

Nigerians are more susceptible to "he is from the same tribe as me" than they are to data. People make decisions with emotion, then justify with logic. If you are able to touch hearts and minds then you are able to convince more powerfully than data.

I'll give you an example. Once upon a time I was at an event this year with a notable banker and a notable business man in Nigeria.

The notable businessman erroneously said that Nigeria's GDP was growing at 12%.

I started to use data to explain that this was a bizzare statement not supported by data.

Notable banker had to cut in. He said "Oga, it's because your personal GDP is growing at 12%,that is why I prosrate before you every morning. But not every Nigerian has your capacity sir".

Notable banker still communicated that he was wrong about the GDP. But appealed to his emotions and didn't make him feel foolish.

I obviously don't have this skill. Na only data dey my head. I am just telling the research, emotion trumps data almost everywhere in the world.

3. Asking questions. That's what I tried to communicate with the Mark Zuckerberg clip in the quoted tweet. Open questions can change closed minds and make a point without you directly having to state it.

4. Role modelling. I insist that the great form of home training that you can give a child is behaving well yourself. Not giving the child egg instead of meat etc

I always give the example of DJ Cuppy. It's not like her parents deprived of any thing material.

But the politeness and empathy that she expresses comes from her parents, even down to some of the words she uses. Behaving your self is the best way to influence your kids, your staff and other stakeholders.

The Otedola kids just behave like their mum and dad. Graceful, empathetic, thoughtful, generous. See how it's ALWAYS Femi Otedola giving money to one struggling footballer or actor that has a medical illness etc

Tried to give a celebrity examples like DJ cuppy and Mark Zuckerberg to aid your memory of these techniques I taught in the class.

So the next time you need to pitch or influence someone or get support for your idea at the office, remember data, emotions, questions and role modelling (this is a longer term technique).