If you are out to persuade, “pick your battles” means not trifling with those who pick fights and pick nits.

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Persuasion requires hospitality, but some people will only admit a guest who kicks down the door. For them the hospitality occurs retroactively, as the host closes the door behind the intruder with exaggerated graciousness. Eventually the host locked inside the house will be the guest who knocked at the door.

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We should be less patient with the impatience of the executive. He wants us to make our point within 90 seconds, using familiar words defined the normal way.

The executive wants his intelligence flattered by being exposed only to thoughts he could have had himself.

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A person should be smart enough to understand those who depend on him, but stupid enough to be dependable.