Who you are matters as much as what you say in Chinese persuasion contexts. Positional authority, demonstrated expertise, and moral standing all provide weight that makes persuasion attempts more effective. Building these forms of credibility is building persuasion capacity. Track record matters particularly—having been right before, having succeeded before, having delivered on commitments creates credibility that enables future influence.
Those without relevant authority or credibility must rely more heavily on other elements—stronger evidence, more relationship investment, more social proof. The emphasis on credibility means that persuasion is not just about individual arguments but about the long-term building of standing that makes your views carry weight when you express them.
Comments