Winning through intimidation
by Robert J. Ringer · first published 1974
74% recommend21% neutral5% critical
Why HN recommends it
A funny, anecdotal account of learning to avoid getting burned in real estate deals by anticipating other people's tricks. Its lessons also apply to startups, sales and negotiation. The title is misleading.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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…much the company charged the other company for the work you did. Like if the job you did that day cost $200k, you get 2k. But to get back on topic, I think everyone should take a look at a book called "Winning Through Intimidation" by Robert J. Ringer. The title is misleading. The content is "How not to be manipulated by people who use intimidation tactics, and here are the typical ones they use subtly so there's no way you could…
on “When the Boss Says, 'Don't Tell Your Coworkers How Much You Get Paid'” ↗…title), Influence, The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini, Be My Guest - Conrad Hilton Autobiography, Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography, The Success System That Never Fails - W. Clement Stone, Winning Through Intimidation - Robert Ringer, Scientific Advertising - Claude Hopkins, The Ultimate Marketing Plan - Dan Kennedy, How to Win Friends and influence People - Dale Carnegie, The Psychology of Intelligence - CIA Manual…
on “The Best Business Book I’ve Ever Read (2014)” ↗This is mostly true, but not entirely. The key is the perception of the other party, not the actual reality of whether you can say no or not. Robert Ringer's amazing (and must read) book, "Winning Through Intimidation." Talks about how he manufactured the perception of being able to walk away, and why image and perception are more important than actual circumstances. It's of course much simpler to play the part of…
on “Ask HN: How to move beyond “freelancer”?” ↗"Winning through Intimidation" by Robert Ringer is an amazing work that has helped me tremendously.
on “Ask HN: Books for assertivness and dealing with confrontation” ↗Winning Through Intimidation by Robert Ringer is by far the best sales book I ever read. His basic premise is that the outcome of any negotiation(especially sales) is inversely proportionate to how intimidated you are by the other…
on “Ask HN: Best books or videos to get better at sales?” ↗"Winning Through Intimidation" by Robert Ringer. Or, just quit. I've taken conflict all the way through being fired multiple times and there really isn't a way to win if you are not part of the mafia. At a very huge ecommerce company…
on “Ask HN: Best books for dealing with workplace politics and dishonesty?” ↗This article reads like a case story out of 'Winning Through Intimidation' by Robert J. Ringer (a book anyone who is thinking about starting a startup should read). "Tanner" sounds like a Type Number 2 Master Intimidator. The author escaped with only getting the tips chopped…
on “iStoleYourStartup: A story of an iPhone Company Con Man” ↗…recommend the classics. 1. winning friends and influencing people by Dale Carnegie probably the best "quick introduction to people skills" I've seen. then, if you need to deal with vendor salespeople 2. winning through intimidation by Robert J. Ringer. (not that I really advocate doing what he says, but it's an important window into the sales mind. You need some applied cynicism to defend yourself the first time you go to rent…
on “Ask HN: If you could recommend only three management books...” ↗I've read a few. Negotiation Genius is probably the most accessible one: http://www.amazon.com/Negotiation-Genius-Obstacles-Brilliant... Winning Through Intimidation was a fun read, especially if you're into real estate. Apparently the book is worth a lot now (I had no idea, I have an old hardcover version that I don't even see here) http://www.amazon.com/Winning-Through-Intimidation-Robert-Ri...
on “Salary Negotiation: Make More Money, Be More Valued” ↗Winning Through Intimidation - Robert Ringer: This is old book but a classic. It's a fun and humorous read and the context is around real estate deals but surprisingly a lot of applies to start-ups (and real life). If I were to sum…
on “Ask HN: What's on your reading list? Recommendations? ” ↗Hey, gremlinsinc.. There's a book to read "Winning Through Intimidation" by Rbert J. Ringer. It is not a book about how to intimidate people, it's about not being intimidated by people. One of the chapters addresses the issue of "promises". We have an Algerian proverb…
on “Ask HN: About to be homeless, any ideas for a junior dev?” ↗…it seems like the more you need from other people in the startup community (advice, introductions, feedback, funding), the more of a popularity contest it feels like." In the must read book called, "Winning Through Intimidation" by Robert Ringer, he postulates that... "The result you get in a negotiation is inversely proportionate to how intimidated you are by the other person." His solution is what we call Takeaway Selling...where…
on “Founder thoughts” ↗"It's about leverage." I highly recommend Winning Through Intimidation. It's not about what you think. I read it after someone else recommended it in another discussion on HN. http://www.amazon.com/Winning-Through-Intimidation-Robert-Ri... UPDATE: After posting this I…
on “Ask HN: How to move beyond “freelancer”?” ↗"Winning through intimidation" Highly recommended. http://www.amazon.de/Winning-Through-Intimidation-Robert-Rin...
on “Getting Things Done – Revised 2015” ↗…say "See! Would I be so vexed as to create an HN thread if I were sexist!", playing the long con (it takes a special kind of mind to think like that).. Joking aside... Have you read Robert Ringer's "Winning Through Intimidation"? As the name doesn't imply, it's not about winning through intimidation, quite the opposite, it's about how to detect attempts to intimidate, manipulate, and take advantage of you, and what to do about…
on “Ask HN: One of my coworkers accused me of sexism, should I tell HR?” ↗