PERSUASIVE WORDS AND PHRASES
“because. would you mind. i'm not interested. i have a rule.”
The Lesson
Specific words and phrases with unusual power: (1) 'Because.' Studies show people comply more when you give ANY reason, even a bad one. (2) 'Would you mind?' Acknowledges their feelings, harder to refuse. (3) 'I'm not interested.' Can't be argued with, it's about your internal state. (4) 'I have a rule.' People accept rules without questioning. (5) 'Can you clarify?' Gets people to talk themselves out of bad positions. (6) 'Is there anything you can do?' Frames them as the hero. (7) Share small secrets. Creates instant bonding through reciprocity.
Real-World Example
A founder negotiating with a difficult vendor. 'Because we need faster delivery' works better than just asking. 'Would you mind checking if there's flexibility?' is softer than demanding. If they keep pushing, 'I'm not interested in that pricing' ends the debate. 'I have a rule about payment terms' is accepted without argument. 'Is there anything you can do to help?' puts them in problem-solver mode.
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