" How does the Magic Paradox work? By setting into motion a cascade of “yes” coming from the other person (“Yes, you’re right, my life is a mess, and I can’t take it anymore”), you shift the person’s attitude from disagreement to agreement. Once you establish that rapport, the person is emotionally primed to cooperate instead of punch back. "

― Mark Goulston , Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone