Keywords:: PermanentNote makePublic
Tags: persuasion power influence Control emotions
Reference: R: The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
True power isn’t about controlling others, but about the degree to which you control the course of your own life and your own choices.
If you want power, you need to be in control of your and other people's emotions. Emotions destroy control. Therefore, if your deeds may steer up negative emotions in people, act indirectly (for example by influencing their environment rather than the person).
Humans are emotional creatures. We like to think we make decisions based on reason but in reality, almost all of our acts are irrational (just look at the myriad o cognitive biases).
That said, the more you have control over your and other peoples emotions the more powerful you will become.
You can gain such control by taking a step back. Whenever you're faced with stimuli or you need to make a decision, you have to increase the reaction time. This will cool off your emotional circuits and will let you access your neocortex. This will allow you to make a more rational decision. For example, instead of immediately replying to an email that steers anger in you, go for a walk or sleep on it first and get back to it when you're thinking clearly.
People seek security, whenever you can provide it, people will come to you. It's especially prevalent in stressful situations. If you can stay calm in the face of danger (even if you're scared as shit), people will flock to you like sheep to the shepherd.
Moreover, never tell people they are wrong, it only fires up their negative emotions, they will try to attack you (because you're scaring away their elephant). Instead, act indirectly. Show them that they're wrong through your actions. People can't argue with that.
People say yes to those they like – another way is to make people like you before you lay down your argument. This will open their minds and make them more likely to listen to you.
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