A friend our ours just died of cancer.
He didn’t want a funeral because, while he behaved like and extrovert in the work-place, he was actually a pretty private guy and firmly believed that no-one would want to come to his wake or funeral. In hindsight he wasn’t “wrong” – he was humble and didn’t want any one to go out of their way for him – even in death. Pretty amazing.
In the months and then weeks leading up to his death, nothing his wife said could convince him to change his position on the matter.
Enter a false rumor – that he had passed away.
The phone rang off the hook until the report of his demise (and apparent resurrection), were corrected by him when he answered the phone. He realized that many, many people really did care.
The experience softened his opinion on the matter and convinced his wife how important both the wake and funeral would be for all his friends and family.
Given the right reason, most folks will change their point of view.
Good communication specialists find the little difference that can make all the difference and leverage it for all it’s worth.