---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: List the worst things that the other…"
description: "\"“List the worst things that the other party could say about you and say them before the other person can. Performing an accusation audit in advance pre..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64e/chris-voss-5746_quote_list-the-worst-things-that-the-other-par_2217606.jpg"
---

#  List the worst things that the other party could say about…

![“List the worst things that the other party could say about you and say them before the other person can. Performing an accusation audit in advance prepares you to head off negative dynamics before they take root. And because these accusations often sound exaggerated when said aloud, speaking them…” quote by Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64e/chris-voss-5746_quote_list-the-worst-things-that-the-other-par_2217606.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64e/chris-voss-5746_quote_list-the-worst-things-that-the-other-par_2217606.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64e/chris-voss-5746_quote_list-the-worst-things-that-the-other-par_2217606.jpg)

> ““List the worst things that the other party could say about you and say them before the other person can. Performing an accusation audit in advance prepares you to head off negative dynamics before they take root. And because these accusations often sound exaggerated when said aloud, speaking them will encourage the other person to claim that quite the opposite is true.         ■””

[Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The technique advises pre‑emptively stating possible accusations to neutralize them, reducing tension and encouraging the other party to refute false claims.

**In simple terms:** State potential accusations early to defuse them.

Key Takeaway

Pre‑empt accusations to control dialogue.

Themes

communication negotiation psychology conflict resolution

Mood

strategic practical

Type

advice instructional

When to use this quote

- business meetings
- personal disputes
- mediations
- sales pitches

Key Concepts

strategic disclosure trust building

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you balance honesty and aggression?
- When is this tactic most effective?

A Different Perspective

May create unnecessary negativity if overused.

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[Accusation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accusation/) [Accusation Audit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accusation-audit-4395181/) [Accusations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accusations/) [Audit Advance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audit-advance-4395183/) [Performing Accusation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performing-accusation-4395182/)

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> [I do not believe the accusations against my husband, not for one second.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-sinclair/i-do-not-believe-the-accusations-against-my-husband-not-for-one-second/)

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> [Accusations against gay schoolteachers figure really prominently in liberal news headlines, because they're attention-grabbing and ratings-getting. They last a news cycle and go away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-marcarelli/accusations-against-gay-schoolteachers-figure-really-prominently-in/)

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## More by Chris Voss

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