The Story Factor, Annette Simmons

• The self seeks to achieve what it wants - whether it is profit, destruction, justice, or martyrdom.  The psychological goal of influence is to connect your goals to your listeners' self-interest in some manner.
  

• Before you can influence you must establish some connection.
  

• When we assume that people already know who we are and jump into persuading them to do what we want, we sabotage our own ability influence.
  

• You can't influence people if they can't remember your message.
  

• Getting to "yes" too fast only creates the temporary illusion of successful influence.  Implementation over the long haul is the real test.  Regardless of how "right" a decision might be, if people don't like this decision, it won't happen -- not like it was supposed to happen.  It is short-sighted to focus on an event (decision) when your real goal is to influence behaviour -- and behaviour is and forever will be primarily motivated by feelings.
  

• The secret to perseverance is found in the support of people who love you and believe in you.
  

• The individual or goup may agree with your cause, yet they don't take action because they believe they are powerless.  Your job is to help them see their power, then influence them to use it.  It ain't easy.