John McCain Quotes

If you are explaining, you are losing.

When people disagree with you, what you ultimately have to do is persuade people to agree with you - period.

The most important thing in an argument, next to being right, is to leave an escape hatch for your opponent, so that he can gracefully swing over to your side without too much apparent loss of face.

Don't beg, don't threaten and don't assume you're always right.

Power comes through public persuasion.

I am good at persuading people. In convincing the other, I try to start from their point of view so it's easier for me to find a common denominator.

When you're trying to persuade people, more often than not, they feel you're being pushy. When you focus on influencing them, they're much less defensive and open to hearing what you have to say.

Persuasiveness is really just about getting your ideas across without being forceful. It's a skill that can be learned and is useful for anyone who works in a team environment.

The writing is all done, so it's all about verbalizing everything from point A to point B, and certainly there's a bit of politics involved, so it's a different thing.

I've been dealing with politicians all my life. All my life. And I've always gotten them to do what I need them to do.

Well, you can't argue with somebody that won't argue back.

I think the power of persuasion would be the greatest superpower of all time.

Access is vital in lobbying. If you can't get in your door, you can't make your case.

When I am getting ready to reason with a man, I spend one-third of my time thinking about myself and what I am going to say and two-thirds about him and what he is going to say.

You do not need to be in a position of power. You need only be in a position to influence those in power.

Carrying our successful diplomacy is difficult if you do not have ears for things you do not want to hear.

Learning how to be persuasive has been really crucial to my life both professionally and personally.

Persuasiveness takes finesse; it takes an understanding of human psychology. And intention is everything.

That's pretty much what every scene is about, getting people to see your point of view. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

I'm a big believer if you want to change people's minds or get someone to vote for you, either a voter or a colleague, you've got to first get their attention.

He who wants to persuade should put his trust not in the right argument, but in the right word. The power of sound has always been greater than the power of sense.

The best way to persuade people is with your ears - by listening to them.

Power is getting things done without having to demonstrate that you can bulldoze it through. I'm most effective when I've studied an issue, when I can make a credible argument, and then bring people along.

Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.

Most people don't have the power of persuasion.