How does one person change another person’s mind? Is it through threats, intimidation, rants and raves? Or, does logical persuasion ever come into play?” Does the quiet voice or tone of calm alter a person’s viewpoint? Or must it all be rage, firestorms and pounding of fists?
Of course, most people would answer in the following manner: It depends upon the circumstances. Certainly, context matters. Sometimes, a passionate response is appropriate; at others, a calm, soothing tone of persuasive logic. Threats, intimidation, acts envisioning bodily harm — these, of course, are never appropriate, and one wonders whether such tactics ever really changed another’s mind, or whether the change of heart was merely for the sake of self-preservation.
To change a mind, one must become convinced about the validity, truth and sincere superiority of the other’s position, argument, perspective, stance, decision, etc. Passionate advocacy can certainly play a role in it; systematic and logical persuasion can sometimes be the difference; and in Federal Disability Retirement cases, application and citation of the relevant and applicable laws will always be an effective tool.
For Federal and Postal employees who are filing for Federal Disability Retirement benefits from OPM, consult with a FERS Attorney who specializes in Federal Disability Retirement Law, and see whether or not — at the outset — the Federal or Postal Disability Attorney who specializes in Federal Disability Retirement Law cannot change you mind, and OPM’s in the best course of action in the preparation, formulation and filing of an effective Federal/Postal Disability Retirement application.
Sincerely,
Robert R. McGill, Esquire
OPM Disability Retirement, Et Cetera… 