Do you agree with this quote?

In other words, tell them what they want to hear, instead of what they need to hear. It may work for selling cars, but not necessarily in the real world. The bottom line is that LISTENING is the most important thing you can do. Then you empathize genuinely. Until you do that, you haven't connected with them. Then you can take whatever approach is necessary. If all you want them to do it open their wallets, I suppose this could work. But, to assume everyone has the saem personality and communication traits is silly.

I'm sorry, but this sounds like lying to people and I am not going to tell people what they want to hear when something is wrong, but to break this down on how I believe it is in the design world:

1- Encourage their dreams

1. I always encourage peoples dreams, but only if through design it is realistically possible within a timeframe given.

2- justify their failures

2.When it comes to justifying someone's failures, if there is a failure in a design and provided they will listen, I can justify that failure with knowledge that I possess about design.

3- Allie their fears

3. The way I would calm their fears would be by showing them examples and explaining my process to them and make sure that I answer all of their questions.

4- confirm their suspicions

4. I can confirm their suspicions if they are accurate. I will know from a design standpoint if their is something for them to be suspicious about. Something of this nature may take some research.

5- help them throw rocks at their enemies

Personally, I do not like this statement because I am not going to help anyone throw rocks at their enemies, but I prefer to think of this as "how to beat their competition" because in essence that is what I do when branding or designing something. I would help someone stand out from their competition.

Looks good on paper, might work as one of those fluffy motivational posters but when your dealing with individuals one size doesn't fit all. All this seems to do is stroke their egos. What does it do to give them what they really need?

Yes, a no brainer. I do agree with this quote as it aligns with "human nature" but I will rephrase it, "People will more likely give back to you when you encourage them" which is the basic foundation of "How To Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie, my all time favorite book, originally published in 1948. I was fortunate to have a friend who gave me a hard back from the 50's. Everyone should read it at least once. I was reading it every year as a refresher, not just for business but for everyday situations and encounters with others.

Mark, these items are the basis of all good copy.

Maury sums it up best!

I like Henry Ford's quote better: The man (person / business) who will use his (her/their) skill and constructive imagination to see how much he (she/they) can give for a dollar, instead of how little he (she/they) can give for a dollar, is bound to succeed.

The quote makes no sense especially in the business world. Smart people won't give you everything just because you pat them on the back, only needy people do that.

This must have come from a Hollywood prima donna, as these ideals seem to fit exactly what an out of touch, its all about me prima donna would want to hear.

Would never work for me. Most people who would need your 1 through 5 probably would never make it in the business world anyway.

The only one I am ok with is #1, the rest is ridiculous.

1- Encourage their dreams

I like #1 :)

Option #1 is most valuable and will be the difference between retaining or losing a valuable client.