Food for thought
For Rogers, the cardinal sin in therapy, or in teaching or family life, is the imposition of authority. A radical egalitarian, Rogers sees individuals as capable of self-direction without regard for received wisdom and outside of organizations such as the church or the academy. Despite its origins in the helping relationship, Rogers’s philosophy is
... See morePeter D. Kramer M.D. • On Becoming a Person
Persuasion isn’t about coercing your audience to do what you want. Rather, it’s about attracting them to a particular conclusion, and letting them get there on their own. Being pulled is always preferable to being pushed.
Jason Harris • The Soulful Art of Persuasion: The 11 Habits That Will Make Anyone a Master Influencer
Negotiate in their world. Persuasion is not about how bright or smooth or forceful you are. It’s about the other party convincing themselves that the solution you want is their own idea. So don’t beat them with logic or brute force. Ask them questions that open paths to your goals. It’s not about you.
Tahl Raz • Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It
The Persuasion Paradox
Have you noticed that the most argumentative people rarely persuade anyone?
The most persuasive people don’t argue—they observe, listen, and ask questions.
Argue less, persuade more.
Persuasion is an art that requires a paintbrush, not a sledgehammer.
“If you're ever wondering what is the right decision, ‘Should I do this, or should I do that? Should I live here, or should I live there? Should I take this job or that job?’ that just the act of choosing one and wholeheartedly committing to it makes your choice the best choice. It is your commitment itself that can make any choice the right choice... See more
Conversation at MIT in 1953:
Marvin Minsky, "We're going to make machines intelligent. We are going to make them conscious!"
Doug Engelbart replied, "You're going to do all that for the machines? What are you going to do for the people?"