How to Make Someone Think It Was Their Idea (Every Time) - Chanakya Niti
Riya Kumari | Jul 02, 2025, 16:53 IST
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau, Timeslife )
Let’s be honest: we all want to get our way—without actually asking for it. Because asking? Ew. That’s for amateurs. That’s for toddlers with chocolate-stained fingers and zero leverage. You? You’re smarter than that. You’re the kind of person who sips their coffee while others rush to do what you wanted in the first place—believing it was their genius idea.
Here’s a little secret: the most powerful people in the room? They’re not the ones shouting. Or demanding. Or taking up space. They’re the ones smiling faintly in the corner, watching you come to the exact conclusion they wanted—all on your own. And that? That’s not luck. That’s strategy. A playbook passed down quietly through history—from the sly brilliance of Chanakya. The twist? You don’t need to lie. You don’t need to scheme. You just need to know how the human ego works—and how to let it do the heavy lifting for you. Let’s dive into the moves. One by one. Silently. Strategically. Irresistibly.
1. Let Them Complete the Puzzle (You Just Place the Pieces)
People are wired to protect their ego. Which means: if they think it, they’ll fight for it. If you say it, they’ll resist—just to feel in control. So instead of,
“You should take this approach,” say,
“This might be nothing, but… what if the answer’s already obvious and we’re just overthinking it?”
They’ll fill in the blanks. And feel smart doing it. You planted the pieces. They think they built the whole picture. Ego buys what it believes it built. Plant ownership subtly. Make them believe it was their mind that moved. "Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions – Why am I doing it, What the results might be, and Will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, go ahead." - Chanakya Niti
Make them ask those questions themselves—and arrive at your answer.
2. The Disarming Power of Doubt
You want someone to agree with you? Don’t show certainty. Show hesitation. Confidence threatens egos. Doubt invites participation. Say:
“Maybe I’m missing something… but doesn’t it feel like this could backfire if we don’t do X?”
You look humble. But you’re steering the ship. Their natural instinct to “correct” you kicks in—and they suggest exactly what you wanted. People trust vulnerable authority more than dominant control. Let them rescue your idea from your own hesitation. The weak grip the strong when the strong believe it was their hand.
"A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and honest people are screwed first." - Chanakya Niti
Full-blown honesty is rarely strategic. A little vulnerability? Works Wonder.
3. Echo Their Values, Not Yours
Want someone to act? Tie your idea to their values, not your logic. Let’s say you want your friend to stop wasting time on someone toxic. Don’t say,
“He’s a walking red flag.” Say,
“You’ve always had high standards. Honestly, you taught me that. And this guy? He doesn’t even reach your baseline.”
Now walking away isn’t your idea. It’s a return to their identity. And no one wants to betray themselves. People don’t change when told. They change when reminded who they believe they are. Do not drag. Reflect. People will follow the mirror more than the voice.
"Test a servant while in the discharge of his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune." - Chanakya Niti
People reveal themselves under pressure. Remind them of their "true" identity, and they'll correct course themselves.
4. Give Them a Small Win First
The fastest way to get someone to run your marathon? Let them win the warm-up lap. Let’s say you want your boss to greenlight a bold idea. Don’t pitch the whole thing first. Instead, ask their advice on a tiny piece of it. Let them tweak it. Now they’re invested. Next step?
“Based on what you said, I fleshed this out. What do you think?”
Now it’s our idea. Correction: their idea, improved by your effort. Small ownership leads to full buy-in. Make them touch it, even a little. One who stirs the pot slowly makes the others crave the taste.
"Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous." - Chanakya Niti
You don’t show your full power at once. You plant just enough to look harmless, then let them build your idea with their pride.
5. Praise the Trait That Supports Your Idea
People act in line with who they think they are. So if you want someone to behave a certain way, compliment the trait that would naturally lead them there. Instead of saying:
“You should take the risk.” Say:
“You’ve always been gutsy. You don’t wait around like the rest of us.”
Now taking the risk feels like proving what’s already “true” about them. And people love proving they’re consistent. (Even when it’s self-sabotage wrapped in self-respect.) Identity locks behavior. Praise who they want to be, not what you want them to do. The wise push men by pulling their reflection forward.
"There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth." - Chanakya Niti
Even flattery is strategic. You're appealing to their ego because it serves your purpose. Just like they’ll act because it serves theirs.
The Art Isn’t in the Idea. It’s in the Delivery
Chanakya didn’t command armies. He commanded minds. He never told people what to do—he let them realize they already wanted to do it. If you're clever, calm, and deeply observant, you don't need to force anything. Just ask the right question. Say the right sentence. Shrug in the right moment.
And watch them walk the exact path you mapped out for them—thinking it was their own. After all, what’s more powerful than control? Making someone thank you for giving it to them.
1. Let Them Complete the Puzzle (You Just Place the Pieces)
Puzzle
( Image credit : Pexels )
People are wired to protect their ego. Which means: if they think it, they’ll fight for it. If you say it, they’ll resist—just to feel in control. So instead of,
“You should take this approach,” say,
“This might be nothing, but… what if the answer’s already obvious and we’re just overthinking it?”
They’ll fill in the blanks. And feel smart doing it. You planted the pieces. They think they built the whole picture. Ego buys what it believes it built. Plant ownership subtly. Make them believe it was their mind that moved. "Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions – Why am I doing it, What the results might be, and Will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, go ahead." - Chanakya Niti
Make them ask those questions themselves—and arrive at your answer.
2. The Disarming Power of Doubt
Yes No
( Image credit : Pexels )
You want someone to agree with you? Don’t show certainty. Show hesitation. Confidence threatens egos. Doubt invites participation. Say:
“Maybe I’m missing something… but doesn’t it feel like this could backfire if we don’t do X?”
You look humble. But you’re steering the ship. Their natural instinct to “correct” you kicks in—and they suggest exactly what you wanted. People trust vulnerable authority more than dominant control. Let them rescue your idea from your own hesitation. The weak grip the strong when the strong believe it was their hand.
"A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and honest people are screwed first." - Chanakya Niti
Full-blown honesty is rarely strategic. A little vulnerability? Works Wonder.
3. Echo Their Values, Not Yours
Goals
( Image credit : Pexels )
Want someone to act? Tie your idea to their values, not your logic. Let’s say you want your friend to stop wasting time on someone toxic. Don’t say,
“He’s a walking red flag.” Say,
“You’ve always had high standards. Honestly, you taught me that. And this guy? He doesn’t even reach your baseline.”
Now walking away isn’t your idea. It’s a return to their identity. And no one wants to betray themselves. People don’t change when told. They change when reminded who they believe they are. Do not drag. Reflect. People will follow the mirror more than the voice.
"Test a servant while in the discharge of his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune." - Chanakya Niti
People reveal themselves under pressure. Remind them of their "true" identity, and they'll correct course themselves.
4. Give Them a Small Win First
Chess
( Image credit : Pexels )
The fastest way to get someone to run your marathon? Let them win the warm-up lap. Let’s say you want your boss to greenlight a bold idea. Don’t pitch the whole thing first. Instead, ask their advice on a tiny piece of it. Let them tweak it. Now they’re invested. Next step?
“Based on what you said, I fleshed this out. What do you think?”
Now it’s our idea. Correction: their idea, improved by your effort. Small ownership leads to full buy-in. Make them touch it, even a little. One who stirs the pot slowly makes the others crave the taste.
"Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous." - Chanakya Niti
You don’t show your full power at once. You plant just enough to look harmless, then let them build your idea with their pride.
5. Praise the Trait That Supports Your Idea
Applause
( Image credit : Pexels )
People act in line with who they think they are. So if you want someone to behave a certain way, compliment the trait that would naturally lead them there. Instead of saying:
“You should take the risk.” Say:
“You’ve always been gutsy. You don’t wait around like the rest of us.”
Now taking the risk feels like proving what’s already “true” about them. And people love proving they’re consistent. (Even when it’s self-sabotage wrapped in self-respect.) Identity locks behavior. Praise who they want to be, not what you want them to do. The wise push men by pulling their reflection forward.
"There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth." - Chanakya Niti
Even flattery is strategic. You're appealing to their ego because it serves your purpose. Just like they’ll act because it serves theirs.
The Art Isn’t in the Idea. It’s in the Delivery
And watch them walk the exact path you mapped out for them—thinking it was their own. After all, what’s more powerful than control? Making someone thank you for giving it to them.