"Ne laissez jamais une personne vous dire non si elle n'a pas le pouvoir de dire oui"

This quote is all about understanding where true authority lies and not letting the wrong people discourage or block your path. Simply put, it means don't take rejection from someone who isn't in a position to give you approval in the first place.

Imagine you’re trying to get a project approved at work. You put together this fantastic proposal and present it to a mid-level manager. They say it won't work. Now, if you take their "no" to heart and stop there, you might never realize that the CEO, who actually has the power to green-light projects, would have loved your idea. The core idea here is to make sure you’re talking to the decision-makers, not just the gatekeepers.

Historically, this kind of advice has been echoed by many successful entrepreneurs and leaders. It’s rooted in the experience of people who’ve had to navigate bureaucracies or hierarchical structures. They learned the hard way that sometimes the person in front of you isn’t really the one who can make things happen. This quote is often attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt, who had to find ways to push through societal and political obstacles in her time.

Let's take a real-life example: J.K. Rowling. When she first tried to get "Harry Potter" published, numerous literary agents and publishers turned her down. If she had stopped at the first "no" from someone without the ultimate decision-making power, we might never have known the boy who lived. Instead, she persisted until she found the right person who saw the magic in her story and had the authority to publish it.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your life? First, identify who the real decision-makers are in any situation. Whether you’re pitching a business idea, asking for a promotion, or even just seeking advice, make sure you’re talking to someone who can say "yes." If you hit a rejection, don’t be afraid to politely ask if there’s someone else you should be speaking to. You’re not being pushy; you’re just ensuring that your efforts are going in the right direction.

Think about a relatable scenario: You've got this brilliant idea for a community project. You present it at a neighborhood meeting, but the folks there are skeptical. Instead of getting discouraged, you decide to take it up with the town council. You discover that one of the council members loves your idea and has the power to allocate resources for it. If you had stopped at the neighborhood meeting, your project might never have gotten off the ground.

Remember, it’s about persistence and knowing where to direct your energy. The next time you’re faced with a “no,” ask yourself if this person has the power to say “yes.” If not, keep going until you find someone who does. It’s about being smart with your efforts and strategic in your approach.

So, next time you’re pushing for something important, don’t let the wrong "no" stop you. Seek out the decision-makers and give yourself the best shot at a "yes."