I love quotes. Quotes work extremely well as an attention getter in the opening of your speech. They work equally well as a closing point since they subcontiously trigger further thinking resulting in your speech (and message) being well remembered.

Here's a quote from an unknown author I came across this week on www.thinkexist.com - a site I check regularily. It sums up perfectly what you can do to tear down any wall your discussion partner might have built up since he or she doesn't like your point of view.

“Use non-verbal communication to SOFTEN the hard-line position of others:

S = Smile

O = Open Posture

F = Forward Lean

T = Touch

E = Eye Contact

N = Nod.”

It doesn't cost a lot of energy, is easy to do, builds rapport instantly and will make your discussion partner subconsciously much opener for any contra argument you will bring forward.

It's well worth giving the soften-method a try. Your success with skilled non-verbal communication is guaranteed.

PS: By the way, again a great acrostic poem. Not sure what that is? Well, scroll down to last Fridays, 12th of December, entry and give it a go!