How Greene says to seduce people into moving your way.
Robert Greene's framework, from 48 Laws of Power, pp. 551 to 563.
Step back and read the person
Calculate the target's emotional makeup and psychological weaknesses before acting.
Work on emotions and intellectual weaknesses
Aim at both individual psychology and shared emotions such as love, hate and jealousy.
Alternate harshness with mercy
Use a dramatic jolt or contrast so that relief wins their hearts.
Use symbolic gestures
Show goodwill or shared suffering to make people identify with you.
Show how it benefits them
Cover a blatant appeal to self-interest with a noble cause.
Enlist expressive people and widen your base
Keep an artist or intellectual close and win allies on all levels.
From chapter: LAW 43, pp. 551–563
Coercion creates a reaction that works against you, whereas seduction makes people want to move your way. Marie-Antoinette never tried to charm or persuade, spent lavishly at the Petit Trianon while France starved, and went to the guillotine with no defenders. Chuko Liang won the barbarian king Menghuo's loyalty by capturing and releasing him seven times and treating his soldiers with respect, so no occupying force was needed. Greene says to study each target's psychology, aim at primary emotions, alternate harshness and mercy, use symbolic gestures, appeal to self-interest under a noble cause, keep an artist or intellectual to speak to minds, and widen your support base. He says there is no reversal.
