The Secret to Bill Clinton’s Success

What was the secret to Bill Clinton’s success?

Was he smarter? More talented? No. President Clinton looked the left, looked to the right, and strode right down the middle.

Many politicians understand that middle ground never means compromise. This is what separates success from mediocrity. Former President Clinton is an expert on the long and winding road to the middle and President Obama would do well to borrow a few pages from Clinton’s playbook.

To the less experienced, the acceptance of middle ground in final negotiations makes everyone feel that some measure of compromise—and understanding—has been achieved. To an experienced politician—or leader—it’s much more than that. One of the most important things that President Clinton did during his first term was retake ownership of the center.

He did it by intention, not by accident.

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Principle of Inoculation

Bill Clinton succeeded in his first term as president by using the principle of inoculation.

Inoculation is a tool of influence that I’ve used for years as an FBI counterintelligence agent. It’s a persuasive tool that can be used to change opinions about everything from the mundane to the critical.

Inoculation works by introducing an idea that is initially shocking or disagreeable so that a more moderate, “middle ground” approach is a welcome alternative.

Although giving the appearance of compromise, the middle ground approach actually accomplishes the goal of whoever is using it.

Let me explain…

FBI Example of Inoculation at Work

As a counterintelligence agent, one of the spies I investigated was a tall, ugly man that I code-named “Lurch.” Lurch was no spring chicken and had fed at the government trough for so many years that all enthusiasm for his job had been drained away.

He was not the exemplary sort of foreign spy that the U.S. wanted to add to their payroll so the FBI had no desire to recruit him.

My goal, as his case agent, was to debrief Lurch on the activities of a spy who was far more important to the U.S. intelligence services.

Through surveillance, Lurch was caught breaking U.S. law.

When confronted by the FBI, he was told that he would deported, in shame, back to the mother country to live the rest of his life in disgrace and poverty.

A meeting was arranged and the nervous Lurch greeted us with sweaty palms and quivering upper lip. His voice cracked as confirmed his name and waited, in silence, for the other shoe to drop. But it didn’t. Instead, we gently inquired about the spy the FBI was more interested in. Furthermore, if he answered our questions, no mention of his legal issues would be reported to the consulate’s security officer.

Lurch took the middle ground he was offered and felt he had made a good deal. And this is the thing: he never understood this was our goal all along.

Inoculation is Effective

For months, government economists and market analysts warned of a double-dip recession. This was a smart approach if you want to mold opinion and perceptions. If we’re prepared for the worst, bad becomes the new good.

Inoculation as a tool of influence is effective because after the threats of a worst-case scenario—in this case, a double-dip recession—we’re more than likely to accept even a mediocre economic recovery with enthusiasm and support for our manipulating politicians.

TIP: Guard against persuasive techniques like inoculation by asking these questions:

Does the suggestion trigger your interest or your fear?

Are you being persuaded out of guilt, obligation, gratitude, or greed?

Are you reacting because of social, economic, or psychological benefits?

Do you really believe what you are hearing?

Will your response be out of your normal pattern of behavior?

“You can discover what your enemy fears most by observing the means he uses to frighten you.” Eric Hoffer

Take Away

Watch how extreme ideas or suggestions move your thinking toward “middle ground.”

How have you used an extreme idea to get the response you wanted? Is there a difference between an extreme idea and fear? What grabs your attention? How have you guarded against being manipulated by the inoculation approach?

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LaRae Quy is former FBI Agent and Founder at Your Best Adventure
She helps clients explore the unknown and discover the hidden truth in self & others
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Image Sources: nlm.nih.gov, artwanted.com