Diplomacy in personal disposition

It is in the nature of human-beings to deceive and to maintain a certain level of diplomacy. It is debated that the diplomatic way is not always the most effective way to find solutions. It adds to the confusion, delay the processes as if the whole objective of diplomacy was to stall everything.

Is diplomacy the only option that you have?

Two mantras I have always lived-by and will continue following it as it seems like the most important fact of our humanly nature.

"If you care to know about what other person thinks about you, say something really bad to him even if you don't actually mean it. If the person reciprocates in similar fashion, you have got your answer. If he doesn't reciprocate, you must apologize for your behavior and clarify"

The second mantra I picked it up from a senior colleague of mine. Not that it helped me immensely because I have never been able to implement it, but it really works.

"Never try to keep everyone happy because you can't. Your enemies are sometimes very good for you. You have to choose your companions well because if you think every single person you know is important, you were never more wrong than this."