The More One Learns, The Less One Knows

Simon Sinek, author of the bestselling book Start With Why, surmises that human behavior can be influenced in one of two distinct ways — through inspiration or through manipulation.

I agree with the premise of his argument, although for our purposes I find the word ‘manipulation’ somewhat negative. Instead, we shall label the two avenues ‘inspiration’ and ‘persuasion’.

The key difference between the two is in the delivery. In simple terms, to inspire is to show — to demonstrate a better path through consistent action. To persuade is to tell — to explain a better path through convincing words.

Inspiration as an influencing tactic is more hard won than persuasion. It requires the desire and capacity to deeply understand the needs of another party in order to offer a solution that matches their requirements. Inspiration takes time, dedication and patience.

Persuasion, however, is the method of choice when time, opportunity and capacity are limited. We see it in politics, in marketing, and in our working environment. At its worst, it’s the fear-mongering, deal-spinning, peer-pressuring technique to inciting action. At its best, it’s the presentation of facts in an engaging fashion. Used for good or for evil, it’s the quick-win approach to getting things done.

We’re tired of being coerced, and we’re searching for the voice of reason.

That’s where we step in, my introverted friends. When we choose to lean in to our preferred modus operandi, we become the very antithesis of coercion.

Given the choice, we’d rather inspire than persuade. Just as the extrovert holds the face cards in the game of persuasion, so do we in the game of inspiration.

We recognize that we have two ears and one mouth for a reason. We hold deliberate work in high regard. We believe in depth over breadth.

We’d rather wait patiently for a deeper connection than take the fool’s gold of instant gratification.

We are Aesop’s tortoise — slowly and steadily we shall win the race.

Applied authentically, introverted attributes hold the key to quiet and enduring inspiration. It won’t happen overnight, but day by day it’s not only possible — it’s inevitable — that we will accumulate the respect of others by being ourselves.