Attack Quote by Christopher Voss
“When you expect to get into a negotiation, you expect to be faced by a guy that's going to attack you, a guy or gal that's going to attack or that they're going to try to get the best of you. Two-thirds of us, that makes us very defensive.”
About This Quote
Negotiators often anticipate adversarial tactics, leading to heightened defensiveness and a mindset of protecting oneself against perceived attacks.
In simple terms: Anticipating conflict fuels defensiveness.
Key Takeaway
Expecting hostility can undermine collaborative outcomes.
Themes
Negotiation
Psychology
Defensiveness
Perception
Strategy
Mood
Cautious
Strategic
Reflective
Type
Advice
Observation
When to use this quote
- Business deal discussions
- Legal settlements
- Salary negotiations
- Diplomatic talks
- Mediation sessions
Key Concepts
Conflict anticipation
Self‑protection
Power dynamics
Practical Applications
- Prepare neutral framing to reduce threat perception
- Use calibrated questions to shift focus from attack to problem‑solving
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you reframe a perceived attack as an opportunity?
- What signals can you send to lower the other party’s defensiveness?
A Different Perspective
Some negotiations are collaborative, and assuming hostility may create unnecessary friction.
![“I mean, it's not just the rappers, you know what i'm saying? People want to attack anybody that's a large figure, you know what I'm saying? They did it to [Michael] Jordan, they did it to [Mike] Tyson, they did it to Bill Cosby, you know what I'm saying? They're gonna' attack you if you on top.” quote by The Notorious B.I.G](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac8/the-notorious-b-i-g-8034_bills_i-mean-it-s-not-just-the-rappers-you-kno_27728.jpg)
