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About this quote

What does it mean?
Rice suggests that power and the threat of harm compel opponents to align with you.
In plain terms
People join you when they know you can hurt them.
What can you take from it?
Leverage power to gain cooperation.

Where it applies

  • negotiation
  • management
  • conflict resolution

Putting it to work

  • assessing power dynamics
  • strategic negotiation

Questions to consider

  • Is power necessary for agreement?
  • When have you seen this happen?

Another view

It justifies coercion rather than genuine agreement.

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