Hey its Min here from The Art of Verbal War, where people learn to excel in verbal skills.
So, you found this video because you want to learn strategic thinking from the man himself, Harvey Specter.
Now, before we get to that, I've already made some videos on his verbal skills, mindsets, and body language.
If you haven't seen those, go and check them out on my YouTube channel.
Today, we're going to talk about Harvey Specter's strategic thinking.
Not only is Harvey Specter badass with his verbal skills, body language, and mindsets,
but he's badass with strategic thinking.
As you see on the show, he's always
caught in various scenes ruminating and strategizing
about his next move.
Now, over the course of five seasons of "Suits", there's a ton to talk about
when it comes to Harvey's strategic thinking.
Which you can learn about in my forthcoming "The Harvey Specter Guide".
However, today, we're just going to talk about five of the strategies that he uses over and over again.
So #1, in negotiations Harvey always plays "hard to get".
In Season 2, when the oil baroness Ava Hessington gives Harvey the opportunity to become her right hand man,
its unclear whether he wants the opportunity or not.
The job offer catches Harvey by surprise, but his initial inclination is to play hard to get.
This is very much a rule of negotiation.
Even when somebody wants you, make them work for it.
What is that important?
If you make them work for it, they will ultimately value what it is they are getting more.
#2, Harvey always makes a "big ask" at the outset of every negotiation or potential legal settlement.
In Season 2, he's seen telling a judge
"This is a personal vendetta against my client. Not only do I want no bail, I want you to throw this case out right now!"
That's a big ask.
This is a cardinal rule of negotiations. You don't want to make small demands.
You want to make big demands, so that when your demands get whittled down, as they usually do, you won't end up with nothing.
Some people think you appear more reasonable by making small demands, but all you'll end up with at the end of a negotiation, is nothing or not very much at all.
Don't be meek in negotiations, be bold.
#3, always look beyond the surface to understand the motives behind other people's actions.
Especially when they seem to benefit you.
In Season 3, when Jessica offered to put Harvey's name on the firm's wall
Harvey didn't jump at the opportunity.
Instead he wanted to make sure it was an actual gesture as opposed to a chess move.
#4, as we see throughout the show, Harvey collects favors.
In Season 2, when Louis betrays Harvey and Jessica by voting for Daniel Hardman
for control of the law firm, but then Harvey and Jessica ends up winning
Harvey actually lets Louis off the hook.
He lets Louis off the hook strategically in order to collect a future favor from Louis.
He tells Louis:
"There's going to come a day Louis when I need something from you, and you're going to remember that I let this pass. Daniel Hardman is not the answer.
You owe me."
#5, Harvey is not afraid of
or too proud to ask for help when he needs it.
In Season 3, when A. Eliot Stemple is out-thinking Harvey
Harvey wasn't too proud to go to Jessica
and ask for her help in out-strategizing Stemple.
Okay my friends, I hope you learned a thing or two about strategic thinking.
So, if you're interested in learning more about strategic thinking
you'll LOVE "The Harvey Specter Guide"
a comprehensive guide to his body language, mindsets, verbal skills, and...yep...strategic thinking.
For a free preview of the Guide, click on any of the annotations in this video or click on the link in the description below, or go to www.artofverbalwar.com/harveyspecter
Okay friends, its time for me to make a well-timed Harvey Specter exit, so until next time
keeping being excellent and please subscribe to this YouTube channel!
www.artofverbalwar.com/harveyspecter