When most people think of a salesperson, they think of someone who is trying to sell a product or service to someone else, but, what about convincing someone to do something they wouldn’t normally do? The movie “The Push” takes this idea to the extreme. While most selling is somewhat friendly, “The Push” turns this idea around by convincing a complete stranger to do the unthinkable…push someone else off of a building. Throughout the entire night, the production team sets up a very specific scenario to occur with the stranger. As the night unfolds, the main production manager slowly convinces the stranger to commit the unthinkable later that night. Through small relational, empathetic techniques, the production manager becomes very close with the stranger throughout the course of the night. While this isn’t very applicable in the real world, it demonstrates the power empathy has over a new relationship. Empathizing with even strangers can grow a relationship extremely fast. In business, this is useful for salespeople and teaches them that relating and empathizing with customers versus being pushy and “sales-y” can reap amazing benefits for the corporation.
BoweryJE22 2 thoughts on “The Push”
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Generally speaking, salesmen have a negative connotation and are thought to be disrespectful and pushy. Pushy salesmen will lose sales for being too rude and trying to force a sale. Moving towards the future, many salesmen are looking to be more empathetic and relational. I agree that empathizing with people can grow a relationship extremely fast because people like to know others feel for them and understand what they feel. As the industry continues to grow, salesmen will continue to develop their strategies in an attempt to exterminate their negative view.
It is fascinating to consider the psychology of influencing others, especially in a short period of time. It really is an art. Some people develop very deep relationships that last a lifetime very quickly, while others know a person for years and hardly learn about them. You described the power of empathy and using the small steps in sales very well through your example. It considers the boundaries of persuasion and motivation. Another part of the art of influence is reading the other person and using their feedback to guide you which I am sure is demonstrated in your example of The Push.