make people lower their guard
Flattery, when done sincerely, can make people lower their guard and give you access to their private thoughts and decisions. For example, Dev, an aspiring tech entrepreneur, wanted to learn how his competitors were succeeding in the market. Instead of directly approaching them with questions, he attended their events and introduced himself as an admirer of their work.
Dev complimented their innovations and asked thoughtful questions, making them feel valued and important. In return, they became more open in their conversations with him, often revealing how they tackled challenges or what their future strategies might be. What seemed like casual discussions were actually key insights into their playbook.
By posing as an enthusiastic friend, Dev was able to gather the necessary knowledge to develop his own startup. In the end, his competitors didn’t even realize they had been outmaneuvered because Dev used flattery and charm to quietly gather information without arousing suspicion.