Chapter 307
Infiltrating the Enemy Camp
Having put on French greatcoats and shakos, Pétya and Dólokhov rode to the clearing from which Denísov had reconnoitered the French camp, and emerging from the forest in pitch darkness they descended into the hollow. On reaching the bottom, Dólokhov told the Cossacks accompanying him to await him there and rode on at a quick trot along the road to the bridge. Pétya, his heart in his mouth with excitement, rode by his side. “If we’re caught, I won’t be taken alive! I have a pistol,” whispered he. “Don’t talk Russian,” said Dólokhov in a hurried whisper, and at that…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Decode the Confidence Game
Think of three situations where you've seen someone use aggressive confidence to get what they want - maybe cutting in line, demanding special treatment, or taking charge of a meeting. For each situation, identify what made their confidence convincing and whether their demands were actually justified.
Consider:
- •Notice the difference between earned authority and performed authority
- •Consider how the person's tone and body language affected others' responses
- •Think about whether you've ever used this strategy yourself, consciously or not
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you either used confident assertiveness to get past a barrier, or when you wished you had been more assertive. What held you back or pushed you forward?
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