I’m watching the Franklin miniseries which centers around Benjamin Franklin’s role in securing the support of France in the American Revolution. It was a daunting task that Franklin had, going to France as an unofficial emissary to seek funds, ammunition, ships, and troops to assist a fledgling nation.
“My years have taught me that diplomacy must never be a siege, but rather a seduction,” Franklin says as he patiently waits for a relationship to develop or another friend-of-a-friend contact to be made.
His advice applies far beyond revolutionary pursuits and reminds us that building trust takes time. You need to show up in person, even if it means crossing an ocean, and cultivate connections that may lead to other beneficial outcomes. In this hyper-fast world where everything is instantaneously at our fingertips, you’d be wise to take a lesson from Franklin and seduce your next partner rather than overwhelming them.
Source: Franklin on Apple TV+
