🎙 Episode 21: Can You Make the Horse Drink Water or Not?
Exploring persistence, control, and influence.

🔸 In this episode, we dive into the meaning of the famous idiom: “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.” We ask—can you really influence someone’s choice, or are there limits no matter how much effort you put in?

🔸 Samar reflects on her struggle with this idea at first—finding it strange and unfamiliar—then realizing how often it plays out in daily life. She shares how persistence and control show up in her world and why she leans toward acceptance: do your best, but don’t tie yourself to outcomes you can’t control.

🔸 Wafa shares her excitement for the topic, bringing stories from her own journey as a student. She talks about doing everything “right”—being a high-achieving, proactive student—yet still facing rejection. At the same time, the very same efforts opened doors with others. She explores what this taught her about persistence, resilience, and the limits of influence.

🔸 Together, we explore how this idiom connects to real life: business deals, personal growth, cultural perspectives, and even relationships. When do persistence and preparation tip the balance, and when is it wiser to accept that outcomes are beyond our control?

🔸 We also explored:
• How culture shapes the way we view persistence and influence
• The fine line between persistence and control
• Why expectations often lead to disappointment when results don’t match our effort
• The role of psychology and “locus of control” in shaping our beliefs about effort vs. outcome
• How creating “win-win” situations can shift influence without forcing decisions

💡 Key Takeaways:
• You can create the right conditions, but you can’t always control the outcome.
• Persistence and preparation often help—but they don’t guarantee success.
• Expectations can set us up for disappointment; acceptance can bring peace.
• The healthiest approach is balancing effort, influence, and letting go.

📖 Read the full article: ⁠21. Can You Make the Horse Drink Water or Not? — Personal Context is Key | LinkedIn

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