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    How to Talk Your Way Out of Anything

    By | Work + Money – Mon, Jul 7, 2008 5:35 PM EDT

    Star Trek's Jean Luc Picard had a certain savoir faire, a style of getting out of dilemmas smoothly and quickly - like when he tricked "Q" into promising never to meddle with humanity. I'm no Starfleet captain; I am an average 30-something who dislikes speeding tickets, jealous girlfriends, and unnecessary personal inquiries. Over the years, I've learned a few tricks to talk my way out of hot spots, and as a business owner I've studied how others squirm before the sharp end of my own questions. Here are a few tips that have worked....

    Avoid
    It worked on Ezra, a high school bully I dodged for an entire semester after beaming him in the back of the head with a juicy seeded grape. The easiest way to talk your way out of a jam is not to put yourself in that situation at all. In short, be prescient and avoid confrontation. Avoidance may delay the inevitable, but it may also give you time to prepare and your adversary time to cool off.

    Sidestep
    Avoidance is also possible, but not as easy, in conversation. Simply changing the subject rarely works. Instead, create a conversational diversion such as a compliment, "call-waiting," and in extreme cases, poor cell phone reception (that's right, hang up).

    Explain (in Detail)
    Oscar Levant said, "There's no problem so simple a little explanation can't make complex." Indeed, every time I try to get straight answers from my IT team I end up wading neck-deep in geek-speak. Talk your way out of a jam by making your opponent regret ever asking their elementary question. Elucidate, expose, and expound upon your explanation enigmatically and inscrutably. Add an argumentative tone or a "that's a stupid question" to your verbal defenestration and your sophistry will be complete ... or whatever I just said.

    Click here for more tips on How To Talk Your Way Out of Anything including:
    The Power of Suggestion
    Defer
    Lie, or Be Selectively Honest

    Ian Charles Parrish is an investor and president of Investors United School of Real Estate, America's first professional school for real estate investing. For more advice, Ask Ian.

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