Grace Hopper — "I noticed he always said no to things the first time. So the next time I went in…"

I noticed he always said no to things the first time. So the next time I went in to suggest something I said 'let's pretend this is the second time I'm presenting this'. I said, 'you always say no the first time'. And he looked at me with the funniest expression. I had him over the barrel from then on because I'd just go and say, 'this is the fourth time I'm requesting this, let's just say yes now'.
Grace Hopper — Grace Hopper Modern · Computer programming pioneer

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An anecdote illustrating her strategy for dealing with a stubborn superior who always initially refused new ideas.

Date: 1982 (Lecture delivered at the NSA, August 19)

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