If you need to persuade a coworker to see things your way, what is the best approach?

• A. Assert authority and demand agreement
• B. Seek to understand their concerns, present evidence, and find common ground
• C. Dismiss opposing views
• D. Attack character to win

Answer: (B)

Collaborative persuasion works best because it centers on understanding the other person’s concerns, using relevant evidence, and tying the outcome to shared goals. When you listen carefully, you reduce defensiveness and create a space where facts can be considered honestly. Presenting clear, pertinent evidence helps ground the discussion in reality, so the conversation isn’t just about opinions. Finding common ground connects the solution to goals you both care about, such as mission success, safety, or policy alignment, making it easier for your coworker to agree. In a workplace like CBP, trust and teamwork drive effective decisions, so this approach tends to yield durable agreement. By contrast, attempting to command agreement, dismissing opposing views, or attacking someone’s character undermines trust and inflames resistance, making collaboration and alignment much harder.