I’m gonna take some notes from you before I try to convince my boss of a really cool idea I have for my company
I say this to my junior Product Owners a lot, don’t go in to that conversation with the view you are having to convince/pursaude them of anything. It sets it up as combative, has the implication that you are right and they are wrong, and that something in their plan needs to change. They will sense that, and will be much more defensive.
To be clear, I’m not talking about literal code changes here, but the current initiatives / projects / bets (whatever word you want to use) the company is planning on doing.
Instead you should demonstrate how your idea fits in with the current strategy of the business. Show them that you know where they are wanting to get to, and show how this idea gets them there. Go in to that conversation with a sincere intent of collaboration.
That way you don’t need to convince anyone to change anything because they are still getting to the same destination, and you’re showing them a quicker route through the bushes.
If they say no, ask them politely to explain their reasons so you can be on the same page. Do not argue, just listen to what they say. They will be telling you what is most important to them and the business in that reply. It literally doesn’t matter if you agree with them or not, they are telling you the constraints you need to operate in.
After the meeting, use that knowledge to reassess your proposal, and think of ways you could modify the idea, or what information you presented alongside it, to get it accepted. If you still don’t understand, then ask further questions about that bit.
Remember, it’s about collaboration.
He’s not trying to convince me that he’s right because I asked him too, because when I did try that he’d refuse or just wouldn’t, and I’d count that as a loss from his end. He can’t always win for me but when he does, its a real good win. So I guess the word “convinced” might not be as accurate as saying “we walked through this conversation until I got to a place of understanding”.
I’d argue the same applies in therapy too. It may be worth exploring why you seem to have a pretty darwinian view of thoughts / opinions being demonstrably right or wrong. In my experience the world is much greyer.
I am glad however that your therapist is doing something that has been requested, rather than anything else (even if it does seem to be rather atypical).