Evaluation of Ancient Wisdom of Guiguzi | 鬼谷子全平

Revealing your true thoughts to establish common sentiments and building trust. Conversely, concealing thoughts may be necessary when evaluating sincerity.

For example, in the negotiation between Zhulong and Queen Zhao, he revealed that he loved his youngest son the most. While the trust between the Queen and Zhulong was built, he successfully persuaded the Queen to send her son to the allied state as a hostage, skillfully demonstrating the revealing strategy to build trust with others. 

Assessing the feasibility of a plan can help one to Understand the motivations behind their actions, allowing us to understand the situation, find the right direction, and adopt a flexible and adaptable way of handling things.

Imagine a business negotiation where one party carefully analyses the feasibility of a proposed partnership. By understanding the other party's motivations and objectives, they can identify potential areas of synergy and collaboration. This analysis can be the difference between a successful partnership and a missed opportunity. 

In our daily speech, we should not make sweeping generalisations to everybody, just like there are no two identical leaves on a tree. To prevent such mistakes, we should adapt to the individual and understand his motive comprehensively and deeply.

For example, engaging in a healthy debate in the workplace can reap more benefits than conforming to a dominant perspective. Challenging different viewpoints and seeking deeper understanding can foster an environment of innovation and creativity. This approach not only results in better decision-making but also strengthens teamwork. 

When engaging in a debate with someone, you can begin by mildly challenging their viewpoints, prompting them to elaborate further before offering counterarguments. This approach helps you grasp their actual situation and their intentions and goals.

After challenging their viewpoints, you can either choose to reveal or conceal your thoughts based on the situation you deem appropriate.

Lastly, To know if it's feasible or not, you must gain a clear understanding of the other person's strategies through commonalities and differences in the conversation.