I recently delved into Robert Greene’s influential book, 48 Laws of Power. While the overarching theme might not have immediately resonated with me, the intricate laws it presents have undeniably played a role in shaping power dynamics around me, knowingly or unknowingly. The book, a compilation of historical anecdotes, sheds light on how individuals have employed these laws to secure power. Below, I’ve distilled the first 24 laws into brief sentences. Throughout, I’ve used the term “enemy” interchangeably with counterparts, competitors, or opponents.
- Never outshine the master: Show respect and adoration, recognizing the insecurities of superiors. Strive to make them feel powerful while subtly asserting your competence.
- Don’t trust friends too much: Be cautious with favors, as friendship can cloud judgment; turn enemies into passive allies. Maintain a strategic distance to preserve objectivity in decision-making.
- Conceal your true intentions: Keep motives hidden to avoid manipulation; Bismark’s support of Austria illustrates this. Strategic ambiguity allows you to control the narrative and adapt as circumstances change.
- Say less than necessary: Speaking sparingly avoids revealing secrets or turning people off; Andy Warhol mastered this art. Cultivate a sense of mystery to keep others intrigued and engaged.
- Reputation is everything: Strengthen your reputation while poking holes in your enemies’ reputations. Craft an image that is both unassailable and strategically aligns with your goals.
- Court attention at every cost: Stand out, be conspicuous, and maintain an air of mystery. Cultivate a personal brand that captures attention and sets you apart in the minds of others.
- Never do what others can do for you: Delegate, hire talent, and build on the knowledge and insights of others. Recognize the power of collaboration and surround yourself with a team that complements your strengths.
- Make other people come to you: Keep others on the defensive by laying traps and avoiding acting in anger. Strategic patience and the ability to make others come to you give you the upper hand in negotiations.
- Win through actions and not arguments: Yield in arguments, but let actions speak louder to gain respect and followers. Demonstrate competence through tangible results, allowing your accomplishments to be your most persuasive argument.
- Avoid the unhappy and unlucky: Misery attracts misery, and these individuals can bring you down; steer clear. Surround yourself with positive influences to foster a mindset of growth and success.
- Never become redundant: Keep some knowledge exclusive to yourself; side with the weak to become their backbone. Position yourself as indispensable by offering unique skills that others can depend on.
- Use sincere and honest moves strategically: First impressions of honesty and sincerity can be powerful. Leverage authenticity to build trust but strategically reveal vulnerability to create deeper connections.
- Ask for help by appealing to their self-interest: Align your interests with theirs, avoiding direct charity requests. Forge alliances by making others see the mutual benefits of assisting you.
- Ask indirect questions to find out their true nature: Conceal your own personality while encouraging others to talk about themselves. Uncover hidden motivations by creating an environment where people willingly reveal their true selves.
- Crush your enemy totally: Showing mercy can backfire; commit to your course of action to its conclusion. Understand that half measures can lead to future challenges, so decisively eliminate threats when necessary.
- Absence can lead to exclusivity: Scarcity enhances value; make yourself scarce to be more desirable. Balance presence and absence strategically to increase your perceived value.
- Cultivate an air of unpredictability: Keep those around you guessing, making them expend energy trying to understand you. Harness the psychological advantage of being unpredictable to control situations.
- Isolation is dangerous: Circulate to gather necessary information; avoid building a fortress. Strategic networking and information gathering are vital components of effective decision-making. I guess there’s a sweet spot between rule 16 and this one.
- Do not offend the wrong person: Understand who holds real power; keep tabs on decision-makers. Navigate relationships with discernment, recognizing the key players and influencers in any given situation.
- Don’t commit to a side: Remaining neutral prevents loss in conflicts; strong demands, and the weak wears you down. Preserve flexibility by avoiding premature commitments in dynamic situations.
- Play sucker to catch a sucker: Acting less knowledgeable than you are can work to your advantage. Use the perception of naivety strategically to extract valuable information and gain a psychological edge.
- Make surrender a tool of power: Surrender congenially to those who seek a display of authority. Strategic concessions can be a powerful tool, allowing you to control the terms of surrender.
- Concentrate your power: Focus on long-term gains; don’t waste energy on insignificant matters. Identify the areas where your efforts yield the greatest impact and concentrate your resources accordingly.
- Play the perfect courtier: Act as if you have a king to please; avoid boasting about achievements. Adopt a humble demeanor, focusing on serving others and building relationships rather than self-promotion.
While some of these rules may seem Machiavellian, adapting them to your personality and setting requires thoughtful consideration. Stay tuned for a future post where I’ll summarize the remaining 24 laws.
I run a startup called Harmonize. We are hiring and if you’re looking for an exciting startup journey, please write to jobs@harmonizehq.com. Apart from this blog, I tweet about startup life and practical wisdom in books.