If you want people to like you, support you, and have withdrawal symptoms when you're not around, then all you need to do is master this one sentence.

People will do anything for those who encourage their dreams, justify their failures, allay their fears, confirm their suspicions, and help them throw rocks at their enemies.

This is from the book “1 Sentence Persuasion" by Blair Warren.

He explains that by applying these insights, you'll become a highly persuasive and charismatic person.

1. Encourage Their Dreams

Think about a time you shared an idea with someone, and they shrugged it off or changed the subject. It felt awful, didn’t it? Chances are, you closed up and decided not to share anything meaningful with them again.

Now, recall a time when you told someone about your aspirations and they said you seemed like the kind of person who could really pull it off.

Even if you didn’t know them well, you probably felt closer to that person and wanted to talk to them again.

The reason is simple: Our dreams are closely tied to our identity. When someone believes in them, it touches us at a deep, emotional level.

That’s why it’s so important to listen without judgment and encourage people’s dreams.

But what if you disagree with their idea? In that case, show belief in the person while expressing your doubts about the plan in a way that doesn’t make them defensive.

For example, let's say your friend wants to open a bakery but they've no business experience.

You could say something like, "Your creativity in the kitchen is amazing. If you can figure out the business side, I can totally see people lining up for your stuff."

2. Justify Their Failures

We all know it's noble to take responsibility for our mistakes. But deep down, most of us avoid it because it brings the pain of guilt and shame.

That's why we are drawn to people who give us an out, who say, in some form, that it wasn't entirely our fault.

Don’t lie to them, but separate the event from the person.

For example:

• “That timeline was unrealistic for anyone.”

• “Given the info you had, your decision made sense.”

• “The system was stacked against you from the start.”

Once someone feels you’re not there to shame them, they become more open to reflecting honestly on what happened and how to improve next time.

To give you another example, let’s say your colleague delivers a sales presentation and it falls flat.

Instead of saying that they made a basic mistake. You could say:

“Since the manager walked in halfway through, they missed the setup, and that would throw off any pitch. Next time, we can just hold off until all the key decision-makers are in the room.”

So you point out a specific external reason for their failure, you preserve their confidence, and then suggest an actionable fix for the future.

3. Allay Their Fears

When we’re anxious or afraid, everything else fades into the background.

Suddenly, logic goes out the window, and the worst-case scenarios take over.

If you tell someone to relax or calm down, or you list our facts and stats, then they will not listen to you.

So if you want to actually help them, start by acknowledging their fear and then offering a new perspective or reassurance.

For example, let's say your friend is terrified of speaking in public.

First, you might say, “It’s totally normal to feel nervous before a talk. One CEO I know started out feeling terrified, but now he gives talks in front of thousands of people.”

Then, you could add a practical tip:

“Try focusing on a friendly face in the crowd. It tricks your brain into thinking you’re just chatting with one person. “

4. Confirm Their Suspicions

We all love that moment that makes us say, "I fucking knew it." You know, it gives us a surge of pride… It’s a secret satisfaction that we’re smarter than the rest.

That's why, when you confirm their suspicion or, better yet, when you also give them a scapegoat for their problems, then you instantly become trustworthy in their eyes.

This doesn’t mean you have to buy into every wild theory. It simply means acknowledging that they might be right and exploring the possibility with them.

For example:

• “A lot of people feel the process is stacked in favor of bigger companies; you’re not alone in noticing that.”

• “I’ve heard the same thing from others too. It does seem like decisions are made behind closed doors.”

• “It makes sense you’d be skeptical. The timing really does look off.”

5. Help them throw rocks at their enemies.

Psychologists, such as Gustave Le Bon, have found that nothing unites people more quickly than a common enemy.

But “enemy” doesn’t always mean another group of people. It could be an institution, a system, an ideology, a disease, or even a stubborn problem that won’t go away.

If you can name the threat they’re facing and show that you’re on their side, you instantly become part of their tribe. You become someone they trust.

Now, if you’re concerned about ethics, you might consider this solution…

You can demonize or use as a scapegoat powerful figures like corrupt bosses, shady politicians, greedy corporations, or manipulative preachers.

But don’t vilify ordinary people who are simply trying to get by, like yourself.

The reason is that even if you start with good intentions, eventually, you’ll get consumed by your own ideology, and you’ll become a spiteful, miserable person.

More Helpful Guides:

• How to Build Instant Rapport With Anyone

• Inside the Mind of Ruthless Manipulators

• The Ultimate Book List to Master the Art of Persuasion