POWER OF STRATEGIC SILENCE

THE STRATEGIC SILENCE IS THE ULTIMATE WEAPON IN ANY ARSENAL OF INFLUENCE. WHEN LESSER MINDS RUSH TO FILL THE AIR WITH MEANINGLESS WORDS, THE DISCIPLINED STRATEGIST CREATES A VACUUM THAT PULLS FORTH THE SECRETS, INSECURITIES, AND DESIRES OF OTHERS. IN THE VACUUM OF YOUR SILENCE, OPPONENTS REVEAL THEIR WEAKNESSES AND ALLIES EXPOSE THEIR TRUE INTENTIONS. THROUGHOUT HISTORY, FROM NAPOLEON'S CALCULATED PAUSES TO STEVE JOBS' INTIMIDATING QUIET, THE MASTERS OF POWER HAVE UNDERSTOOD THAT WORDS ARE CURRENCY—SPEND THEM WISELY OR FACE BANKRUPTCY IN THE ECONOMY OF INFLUENCE. REMEMBER THAT EVERY UTTERANCE DIMINISHES YOUR MYSTERY, AND MYSTERY IS THE FOUNDATION OF POWER.

-B+R