Surround Him with Overly Emotional People
To make a logical, unemotional person (a 'Blue') uncomfortable and avoid you, expose them to overly emotional people, as they find sentimentality unpleasant.
THE IDEA
Sloppy sentimentality is downright unpleasant. It’s messy and awkward, and a Blue doesn’t like it. Logic is what counts, and if you overlook this, he’ll find it very trying. He’ll make himself scarce, and he’ll never forget that you’re an overly emotional person who doesn’t use your brain in the same way he uses his.
When to use it
When you want to avoid further interaction with a strict logical thinker, you can let emotional arguments dominate the conversation.
Understanding why logical colleagues may seem to avoid emotional team members can help in team composition.
In negotiations, if you recognize your opponent is heavily logical, you might choose to reduce emotional language to keep them engaged.
For marketing to analytical audiences, avoid overly sentimental stories; stick to data and facts.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Sales Pitch to a Logical Manager
A salesperson uses emotional stories about struggling families to sell a product to a data-driven manager. The manager becomes annoyed and dismisses the salesperson, making a mental note to avoid them in the future.
Team Meeting with Emotional Appeals
In a project meeting, a team member becomes very emotional about a decision. The lead analyst, who values data over feelings, feels uncomfortable and starts to disengage from the discussion.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Recall a time when someone's emotional display made you want to distance yourself. What was your personal reaction?
How might the same tactic affect someone who is highly empathetic? Would it have the opposite effect?
What are the ethical implications of deliberately using emotional appeals to repel a logical person?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Surrounded By Idiots (Thomas Erikson)