As a trainer I am constantly amazed by the people who attend our training courses. You can tell the ones who truly wanted to be there, they're the ones listening eagerly, writing down notes and asking the questions. The ones who didn't want to be there - are the ones who sit with stony faces, arms folded with body language that says "I am not going to learn anything new today, I don't know why I'm here" "I've heard it all before" "Tried it, it didn't work" kind of people.

You know the type of person i'm talking about. The manager has "told" them they have a problem and they need to go on a course to "fix" it. Of course it may not have been said in quite those terms, but the manager and the employee both know that's what it means.

So how can you persuade the people you work with, live with or share space with that they have a problem and get them to admit they do? Well it isn't easy. But you may be able to do it - by looking at their problem from their point of view. We all want to know "what's in it for me" - it's also interesting that the subject most people like to talk about is themselves. So put yourself in their shoes, and suggest that if "it were me" I'd consider x, y and z MAY help. Once you get to that point, and they agree with you - you are almost there. Then it's a case of "wonder what training is available?" "Wonder if they do a discount if we can send a couple of people?"

If you are willing to look at a situation from someone elses point of view rather than your own - you will begin to get buy in from the people you are responsible for.