Have you ever come in contact with a person who talks a lot and appears very smart, but when you try to figure out what they said it doesn’t really make sense?
This phenomenon is summed up with the idiom, “If you can’t convince them, confuse them.” We see this play out daily in business and in life. People are trying so hard to appear like they know what they are doing and are in control, but the reality is they aren’t.
So, what happens next? The person resorts to trying to talk and say things that really are not relevant. They are hoping that if they say enough, you won’t understand, and they will appear smart.
It has been said that the smartest person in the room is most likely to be the last one to speak. That is because they want to understand everyone’s opinion before they join in. This can be very difficult because it is hard to sit back and not appear to be in control. But patience is a sign of strength and smarts.
Next time you are having a discussion with a friend or colleague, remember that if they can’t convince you, they may just try to confuse you.
Until next time…I’m Marty, make every minute count.
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