In the realm of professional communication, the ability to write persuasively is invaluable. Whether you are crafting a business proposal, composing a compelling email, or creating content for social media, the art of persuasion can significantly impact your success. Recently, I found an unexpected source of inspiration for honing these skills: Sudha Murty’s maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha.
Sudha Jee, a renowned author and philanthropist, delivered a speech focusing on two main points: women’s health and the promotion of lesser-known Indian historical sites. For this article, we’ll concentrate on her discussion of historical sites, which offers a masterclass in persuasive communication. Let’s explore three key strategies she employs and how we can apply them in our professional writing.
1. Establish Credibility Through Personal Experience and Expertise
Sudha Murty begins her discussion of historical sites by establishing her credibility on the subject. She states:
“I have gone personally and visited, being a daughter, granddaughter of a school teacher and a history teacher for the last 60 years, sir. I’ve done lot of research in our own culture, our own temples, monuments in India.”
This simple yet powerful statement accomplishes several things:
- It highlights her personal connection to the subject matter.
- It underscores her family’s multi-generational expertise in history.
- It emphasizes her dedication to research and firsthand experience.
By doing this, Sudha Jee immediately positions herself as a knowledgeable and trustworthy source on the topic. This technique is crucial in persuasive writing as it helps build trust with your audience and reinforces the authority of your arguments.
How to apply this in professional writing:
- When making a case for a new project or strategy, mention relevant past experiences or successes.
- If you have specific qualifications or have conducted research related to your topic, briefly highlight them.
- Share personal anecdotes that demonstrate your hands-on experience with the subject matter.
Remember, the key is to be authentic and relevant. Only mention experiences and credentials that directly relate to the topic at hand.
2. Use Vivid Examples and Comparisons to Illustrate Points
Throughout her speech, Sudha Jee employs specific examples and comparisons to make her arguments more concrete and relatable. This technique helps the audience visualize and better understand the importance of her points. Here are a few instances:
1. Comparing lesser-known sites to famous ones:
“They are marvelous. They are as good as Brihadeeswara Temple of Thanjavur, which is a world heritage site.”
By comparing the lesser-known temples to a recognized World Heritage site, Sudha Jee immediately elevates their status in the listener’s mind.
2. Using international comparisons:
“The Lothal of Gujarat is equivalent to Mohenjo-daro of Pakistan. We can’t go there, but we have Lothal…”
This comparison not only highlights the significance of Lothal but also suggests that India has sites of equal importance to internationally recognized historical locations.
3. Illustrating potential:
“So it is, if you would have seen in some other country, they would have made number one destination for wedding or even for entertainment or you to go and enjoy. But 90% of the people are not even aware of this.”
Here, Sudha Jee is referring to Majuli island. By pointing out how other countries might have capitalized on such a site, she underscores the untapped potential and the need for greater recognition.
How to apply this in professional writing:
- Use analogies to explain complex ideas. For instance, if you are proposing a new organizational structure, you might compare it to a successful model in another industry.
- Provide specific, concrete examples to support your arguments. Instead of saying “This will improve efficiency,” give a hypothetical or real-world example of how it would work.
- Make comparisons to well-known concepts or benchmarks in your field. This helps put your ideas into a familiar context for your audience.
3. Appeal to Shared Values and Pride
Sudha Jee skillfully appeals to national pride and the value of cultural heritage throughout her discussion of historical sites. This technique creates a strong emotional connection with the audience and makes her arguments more compelling. Here are some examples:
1. Emphasizing India’s rich history:
“Buddha was the great person, and we are very proud. When whichever country I go, they ask me, ‘Are you from the land of Buddha?’ I always say yes.”
By referencing Buddha and India’s international reputation, Sudha Jee taps into a sense of national pride and the global significance of India’s heritage.
2. Highlighting unique architectural achievements:
“There’s a marvelous statue of Gomateshwara, not Bahubali, at Shravanabelagola, which is a gem. It is in Karnataka.”
This example not only showcases a specific site but also emphasizes its uniqueness and value, appealing to regional and national pride.
3. Connecting past to present:
“When you see the old Parliament, you say, ‘Oh, these people, Westerners have come, and they have built this one.’ People from architect from India, in UK, they came and built it, sir. It is nothing but if you see the prototyping of that thousand years back built in Madhya Pradesh, from Gwalior 30 km, it is called Mitawali. It’s a Chausath Yogini Temple.”
Here, Sudha Jee challenges a common misconception and reveals a connection between ancient Indian architecture and modern iconic buildings. This appeals to pride in India’s long-standing architectural expertise and its influence on global design.
How to apply this in professional writing:
- Identify and appeal to shared values within your organization or industry. For example, if innovation is a core value, frame your proposal in terms of pushing boundaries and breaking new ground.
- Connect your ideas to the broader mission or goals of your company. Show how your proposal aligns with and furthers these objectives.
- Use language that evokes a sense of shared identity or common purpose. This could be as simple as using “we” and “our” to create a sense of collective ownership and pride in the proposed ideas or changes.
Conclusion
Sudha Murty’s maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha offers valuable lessons in persuasive communication. By establishing credibility through personal experience, using vivid examples and comparisons, and appealing to shared values and pride, she crafts a compelling argument for the recognition and promotion of India’s lesser-known historical sites.
As professionals, we can apply these same techniques to enhance our persuasive writing in various contexts. Whether you are pitching a new idea, advocating for a change in strategy, or simply trying to convince your team to try a new approach, these strategies can help you communicate more effectively and persuasively.
Remember, the key to effective persuasion is not manipulation, but rather clear, authentic communication that resonates with your audience’s experiences, understanding, and values. By mastering these techniques, you can elevate your professional writing and become a more influential communicator in your field.
