Do you want to win
People are usually only interested in winning on their own terms. There is a purity to this approach. If you win, you have won enough people over to your side, and you have likely converted them to your belief structure.
Reframing – Use Values
I learned a long time ago that a good technique is reframing. Here are two good examples of reframing an issue from conservation (prospector territory) to public health (settler territory).
The Next Step
I have copied Greenpeace model for successful campaigns and use a combination of values and social network analysis.
If you are interested in values you should read http://www.cultdyn.co.uk and you can see your profile @ http://www.cultdyn.co.uk/Process/indexAdagio.php
What Model do you use: Conversion or the One Night Stand Model?
I take this one step further, but only for the brave client who really wants to win.
You can win by saying what the client want others to believe – I call it conversion.
I am simple and find out what the client wants and see if it can be translated into something that will get the people making the decisions to support you. I call it the one night stand model. It is about mutual self-interest.
In the second option, you align mutual self-interest for a very short period of time to secure a political victory. They don’t have back your case for your reasons, you have to find out how to pitch your case to them in a way they co-opt it as their own, if only for one night (or the vital vote). They back you for their reasons. After that, you can go your own separate political way.
Ironically, I have learned that most progressives and companies are in the business of conversion. Both sides prefer purity. I just know I am fallen.