“Becoming the opponent” doesn’t mean agreeing with their intent or adopting their values.
Instead, it means developing deep empathy and strategic awareness, temporarily letting go of your own biases to better anticipate their actions.
Let go of your biases, your grudges, your need to be right. Step into their psyche like an actor embodying a role.
Why do they attack first? What are they protecting? What is it they are afraid of losing? Their approach is a road map to their soul.
Fight their style until you can predict their next move before they do.
For example, a martial artist learns to time counters by imitating the aggression of a brawler.
By mimicking a rival’s tone, a negotiator diffuses tension.
