Fogging

- Now I want to tell you about a really…useful technique called fogging.…If you're suddenly and fiercely verbally attacked,…maybe somebody comes charging into your office going,…"I can't believe you've done this!"…or "You're useless!" or whatever,…you can buy time with fogging,…and this is a technique where you concede only partially.…You might say something like, "I accept that…"I could probably improve in that area,"…or, "Yes, the meeting probably could've been better,"…or, "Well, there's always room for improvement, I guess."…The great thing about fogging is that…they no longer have a target to attack.…

You've accepted that they might be right,…but without accepting that you're wrong.…If you refuse to admit any fault,…they will continue to attack you.…And if you concede completely,…then they've got away with a potentially unfair accusation.…But if you partially concede,…then they've got nothing left to attack.…Now fogging isn't a complete solution, but it's great…for diffusing a sudden attack from somebody, and it gives…