The secret to success in influence

There's only one real way to become more persuasive: you have to be willing to stay on common ground.

No one likes to be told they're wrong. No one wants to know why your idea is better. No one especially wants to make you feel better. Everyone is willing to listen to someone they believe to be smart and reliable.

How do you get to be perceived as smart and reliable? You have to move on common ground.

If you want to become more persuasive, be better at the discipline of moving from one stepping stone (of common ground) to another stepping stone (of common ground). The longer you move on common ground, the more solid the ground underfoot becomes.

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