Criticizing Quote by Michael Wolff
““One particularly profitable transaction with the president was to bring him new, ever harsher criticism of his chief strategist, or reports of other people criticizing him. It was important to know not to say anything positive to Trump about Bannon. Even faint praise before the “but”—“Steve is obviously smart, but…”—could produce a scowl and pout if you didn’t hurry to the “but.” (Then again, saying anyone was “smart” invariably incurred Trump’s annoyance.)””
About This Quote
Source Book: Fire and Fury by Michael Wolff, 2018
Manipulating praise and criticism to control a volatile leader’s reactions, emphasizing strategic negativity.
In simple terms: Use criticism, not praise, to influence a volatile leader.
Key Takeaway
Avoid positive remarks; add a “but” to soften praise.
Themes
politics
leadership
communication
Mood
cautious
strategic
Type
political
advisory
When to use this quote
- political advising
- media relations
- campaign strategy
- personal interactions
Key Concepts
psychology
strategic manipulation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance honesty with strategic framing?
- When is criticism more effective than praise?
A Different Perspective
Positive remarks can backfire even with a “but.”
