--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Decisions are more apt to be accepted…" description: "\"Decisions are more apt to be accepted when you've listened to suggestions first. I wanted them to see the reason behind what I asked of them, not to do..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c6/john-wooden-420_accepted_decisions-are-more-apt-to-be-accepted-wh_3029944.png" --- # Decisions are more apt to be accepted when you've listened… ![“Decisions are more apt to be accepted when you've listened to suggestions first. I wanted them to see the reason behind what I asked of them, not to do things just because I said so.” quote by John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c6/john-wooden-420_accepted_decisions-are-more-apt-to-be-accepted-wh_3029944.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c6/john-wooden-420_accepted_decisions-are-more-apt-to-be-accepted-wh_3029944.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c6/john-wooden-420_accepted_decisions-are-more-apt-to-be-accepted-wh_3029944.png) > “Decisions are more apt to be accepted when you've listened to suggestions first. I wanted them to see the reason behind what I asked of them, not to do things just because I said so.” [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People accept decisions more when they hear reasons and suggestions before being asked to act. **In simple terms:** Explain decisions before asking others to act. Key Takeaway Provide reasoning first. Themes leadership communication decisionmaking Mood respectful collaborative Type advice motivational When to use this quote - team meetings - client negotiations - parent‑child discussions - public policy Key Concepts psychology influence Questions to Reflect On - How can you ensure your explanations are heard? - What if listeners disagree with your reasoning? A Different Perspective If reasons are ignored, acceptance may still fail. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Decision making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision-making/) [Decisions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decisions/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Suggestions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suggestions/) ## Related quotes > [“You said that you wanted to be the reason, and you are. You're the reason for everything. And if you ask me 'why' the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayne-frost/you-said-that-you-wanted-to-be-the-reason-and-you-are-you-re-the/) Jayne Frost > [“There were other ways to live. You could do something else, if you wanted. And if you had a reason.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-e-westlake/there-were-other-ways-to-live-you-could-do-something-else-if-you/) [Donald E. Westlake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-e-westlake/) > [The sure conviction that we could if we wanted to is the reason so many good minds are idle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/the-sure-conviction-that-we-could-if-we-wanted-to-is-the-reason-so/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [“You made it all up, and you got what you wanted for a reason.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-r-renard/you-made-it-all-up-and-you-got-what-you-wanted-for-a-reason/) [Gary R. Renard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-r-renard/) > [“You said that you wanted to be her reason for loving books. You said you wanted to be her reason for everything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mclean/you-said-that-you-wanted-to-be-her-reason-for-loving-books-you-said/) [Jay McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mclean/) > [“She wanted a reason. Serial killers had reasons. Reasons made no difference”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-roberts/she-wanted-a-reason-serial-killers-had-reasons-reasons-made-no/) [C.J. Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-roberts/) > [I had to ask myself if the reason I had never asked to direct before was because I really didn't want to, or because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miriam-shor/i-had-to-ask-myself-if-the-reason-i-had-never-asked-to-direct-before/) [Miriam Shor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miriam-shor/) > [“And did you know that as Jesus lived His life, He asked many, many questions? In fact, He asked 135 recorded questions in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-cahill/and-did-you-know-that-as-jesus-lived-his-life-he-asked-many-many/) [Mark Cahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-cahill/) > [What's the reason? I'll never know ' ' ' I told you, that I loved you, but you never gave the words in return.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamsta-e-ngugz/what-s-the-reason-i-ll-never-know-i-told-you-that-i-loved-you-but-you/) [Jamsta E Ngugz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamsta-e-ngugz/) > [“I couldn't say the real reason for my call when he asked me, 'Anything else?' It was hard for me to end the call.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-aswini/i-couldn-t-say-the-real-reason-for-my-call-when-he-asked-me-anything/) D. Aswini > [“The only reason I asked is because, in terms of learning how to forgive someone, I’ve been where you’re headed. Don’t let her win;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valenciya-lyons/the-only-reason-i-asked-is-because-in-terms-of-learning-how-to/) [Valenciya Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valenciya-lyons/) > [That you honestly believe I am capable of hurting innocent people for no reason.” “You’re not?” I asked, hope softening my voice. “Oh, no,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darynda-jones/that-you-honestly-believe-i-am-capable-of-hurting-innocent-people-for/) [Darynda Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darynda-jones/) > [Love has no reason. When asked Why? the answer is I don't know. I just do. Because love does not come from the mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-has-no-reason-when-asked-why-the-answer-is-i-don-t-know-i-just/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Love has no reason. When asked Why?,Because love does not come from the mind to know, but from the heart to feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-has-no-reason-when-asked-why-because-love-does-not-come-from-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“God always has a reason for what you are asked to endure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-george/god-always-has-a-reason-for-what-you-are-asked-to-endure/) [Jim George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-george/) ## More by John Wooden > [It's not how big you are, it's how big you play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-s-not-how-big-you-are-it-s-how-big-you-play/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Defense is a definite part of the game, and a great part of defense is learning to play it without fouling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/defense-is-a-definite-part-of-the-game-and-a-great-part-of-defense-is/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [“It's not so important who starts the game but who finishes it. -John wooden”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-s-not-so-important-who-starts-the-game-but-who-finishes-it-john/) [John wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [“I remain convinced to this day that compassion like that—sincerely caring for your players and maintaining an active interest in their lives, concerns, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/i-remain-convinced-to-this-day-that-compassion-like-that-sincerely/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [I'm not going to say I was opposed to the Vietnam War. I'm going to say I'm opposed to war. But I'm also opposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/i-m-not-going-to-say-i-was-opposed-to-the-vietnam-war-i-m-going-to/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Being a role model is the most powerful form of educating...too often fathers neglect it because they get so caught up in making a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/being-a-role-model-is-the-most-powerful-form-of-educating-too-often/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Approval is a greater motivator than disapproval, but we have to disapprove on occasion when we correct. It’s necessary. I make corrections only after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/approval-is-a-greater-motivator-than-disapproval-but-we-have-to/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Each of us has a huge capacity to learn and to achieve. Being ever alert makes the task of becoming all we are capable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/each-of-us-has-a-huge-capacity-to-learn-and-to-achieve-being-ever/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Stay the course. When thwarted try again; harder; smarter. Persevere relentlessly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/stay-the-course-when-thwarted-try-again-harder-smarter-persevere/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Love is the most powerful four letter word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/love-is-the-most-powerful-four-letter-word/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [It takes 10 hands to score a basket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-takes-10-hands-to-score-a-basket/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [The best competition I have is against myself to become better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/the-best-competition-i-have-is-against-myself-to-become-better/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Whether you know it or not, whether you like it or not, the habits you are developing now will be with you for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/whether-you-know-it-or-not-whether-you-like-it-or-not-the-habits-you/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Intensity makes you stronger. Emotionalism makes you weaker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/intensity-makes-you-stronger-emotionalism-makes-you-weaker/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Reputation is what others perceive you as being, and their opinion may be right or wrong. Character, however, is what you really are, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/reputation-is-what-others-perceive-you-as-being-and-their-opinion-may/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) [Explore all 578 John Wooden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) ## More Accepted quotes > [Merkel has realized that the euro is not working, but she cannot change the narrative she has created because that narrative has caught the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-soros/merkel-has-realized-that-the-euro-is-not-working-but-she-cannot/) [George Soros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-soros/) > [I started off playing by ear, and being around a bunch of musicians and playing in the streets and in the different parades and,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-andrews/i-started-off-playing-by-ear-and-being-around-a-bunch-of-musicians/) [Troy Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-andrews/) > [Greatness is not guarding yourself from people. Greatness is being accepted by the people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tyson/greatness-is-not-guarding-yourself-from-people-greatness-is-being/) [Mike Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tyson/) > [The idea that this world is a playground instead of a battleground has now been accepted in practice by the vast majority of Christians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/the-idea-that-this-world-is-a-playground-instead-of-a-battleground/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [Bruce Katz is a spectacular talent! He's a brilliant composer and arranger who uses uncommon and unique musical intelligence to redefine jazz and blues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-coryell/bruce-katz-is-a-spectacular-talent-he-s-a-brilliant-composer-and/) [Larry Coryell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-coryell/) > [wishes for sons by Lucille Clifton i wish them cramps. i wish them a strange town and the last tampon. I wish them no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucille-clifton/wishes-for-sons-by-lucille-clifton-i-wish-them-cramps-i-wish-them-a/) [Lucille Clifton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucille-clifton/) > [What our species needs, above all else, is a generally accepted ethical system that is compatible with the scientific knowledge we now possess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-our-species-needs-above-all-else-is-a-generally-accepted-ethical/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There are a lot of movies about misfits that are quite cool, that kind of glamorize it on some level. I think there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-hall/there-are-a-lot-of-movies-about-misfits-that-are-quite-cool-that-kind/) [Rebecca Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-hall/) > [In Quebec City many Muslims have said that they hide their faith because they know that if they don't, if they show that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-pratte/in-quebec-city-many-muslims-have-said-that-they-hide-their-faith/) Andre Pratte > [The rules and principles of case law have never been treated as final truths but as working hypotheses, continually retested in those great laboratories…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-n-cardozo/the-rules-and-principles-of-case-law-have-never-been-treated-as-final/) [Benjamin N. Cardozo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-n-cardozo/) > [ We have reached a situation where a theory has been accepted as fact by some, and possible contrary evidence is shunted aside. \[This is\]… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-shapiro/we-have-reached-a-situation-where-a-theory-has-been-accepted-as-fact/) [Robert Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-shapiro/) > [And if all others accepted the lie which the Party imposed—if all records told the same tale—then the lie passed into history and became…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/and-if-all-others-accepted-the-lie-which-the-party-imposed-if-all/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [I was in a conversation and someone said: "You know, we were talking about the whole issue of transgender and how it has become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/i-was-in-a-conversation-and-someone-said-you-know-we-were-talking/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [Divorce is so common and accepted in America that beating myself up over it may sound ridiculous. But I was raised to believe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trisha-yearwood/divorce-is-so-common-and-accepted-in-america-that-beating-myself-up/) [Trisha Yearwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trisha-yearwood/) > [Handicaps can be converted into stepping stones on which one may climb toward some worthy goal, unless they are accepted as obstacles, and used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/handicaps-can-be-converted-into-stepping-stones-on-which-one-may/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) Browse all 2,128 Accepted quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Decisions are more apt to be accepted when you've listened to suggestions first. I wanted them to see the reason behind what I asked of them, not to do things just because I said so.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Wooden" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/decisions-are-more-apt-to-be-accepted-when-you-ve-listened-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Accepted" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/decisions-are-more-apt-to-be-accepted-when-you-ve-listened-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c6/john-wooden-420_accepted_decisions-are-more-apt-to-be-accepted-wh_3029944.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c6/john-wooden-420_accepted_decisions-are-more-apt-to-be-accepted-wh_3029944.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c6/john-wooden-420_accepted_decisions-are-more-apt-to-be-accepted-wh_3029944.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Decisions are more apt to be accepted when you've listened to suggestions first. I wanted them to see the…” — John Wooden", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Wooden", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Decisions are more apt to be...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/decisions-are-more-apt-to-be-accepted-when-you-ve-listened-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/decisions-are-more-apt-to-be-accepted-when-you-ve-listened-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```