Key Messages
Seven Power Laws Every Beginner Should Know To Get Ahead In Life
If you’re looking to gain true power, you need to understand its history, secrets and inner workings.
Fortunately, Robert Greene was able to provide just that in his book, The 48 Laws of Power.
As a former novice in the realm of power plays himself, he demonstrated how any beginner can learn the ropes through research and practice.
Greene sheds light on past greats who ruled with iron and velvet gloves alike, while explaining their tactics and strategies which led them to victory.
From Machiavelli’s suggestion on how to circumvent suspicion by feigning civility towards adversaries, to the protocol for redirecting blame from yourself onto others when caught making certain blunders – these wise approaches will arm you with hundreds of years worth of wisdom on acquiring absolute control.
So for anyone seeking a fundamental understanding on the dynamics of influence over an individual or group; open your eyes further into this rich repository and find out firsthand what lies beneath the surface!
How To Make Your Boss Like You: Make Them Look Good, Not Outshine Them
If you want to impress your boss, flaunting your brilliance won’t get you very far.
Instead of trying to outshine them, the best way to win their favor is by making sure that they shine.
Just look at King Louis XIV and Nicolas Fouquet, his finance minister.
Fouquet threw a lavish party at his château to show the king how influential he was and ended up in jail – all because Louis felt overshadowed.
Galileo Galilei also knew this lesson well.
Although eager for the ruling Medici family’s financial support for his research, he showed them a clever trick to finding four moons orbiting Jupiter, linking it to the enthronement of Cosimo II de’ Medici: he said that Jupiter represented Cosimo I – father of Cosimo II and his three brothers – while the four moons were each of those siblings.
His cunning plan won him the official title of philosopher and mathematician with Cosimo II in no time.
Bottom line? When it comes to impressing bosses or rulers, play into their sense of importance rather than attempt to equal or better them in anyway – that’ll only make them feel threatened.
Make them feel like they are smarter than everyone else in order for them to truly appreciate you for all the effort you put in!
The Danger Of Not Taking Credit: How Nikola Tesla Was Robbed Of Fame
It’s no secret that attaining power often means taking the work of others and using it to your advantage.
Whether it’s a snippet of someone else’s work or an entire invention, make sure you take credit for other people’s work before someone else jumps in and steals your idea.
The story of Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison is one perfect example of this.
Tesla worked hard for a whole year to improve on Edison’s primitive design, yet Edison got all the credit and even failed to share any profits with him!
This illustrates why it’s important to always claim credit when due and to protect your own inventions/work from being stolen.
While it might be tempting (and easy) to take advantage of other people’s ideas and works, remember that there are consequences if you don’t give them the recognition they deserve.
So make sure that you not only respect other people’s work – but also protect your own.
Gaining Power Through Gathering Information About Your Rivals
Gaining power over another person means getting to know them – and one of the best ways to do that is by posing as their friend.
This was clearly demonstrated when art dealer Joseph Duveen went about trying to win the favor of industrialist Andrew Mellon in 1920.
Duveen couldn’t quite manage to accurately predict his prospective client’s strategies so what he did instead was pay off Mellon’s staff for inside information about him.
That way, when Mellon traveled to London, Duveen made sure he would be there too and engaged him in an engaging conversation.
Knowing so much about what Mellon liked and favoring the same taste in art resulted in them quickly becoming friends, leaving Mellon with no choice but to eventually accept Duveen’s offers and become his best client.
So, if you want power over someone, it pays off to take the time knowing as much as possible about them first.
Gather pertinent information through hired spies if you have to but often times posing as a friend yields more accurate results.
After all, people tend not to be so protective of private information when they are around someone they consider a confidant.
How To Use Unpredictable Behavior To Outwit Your Rivals
If you want to gain an edge over your competition, unpredictability is key.
That’s what Bobby Fischer learned when he played against Boris Spassky in the famous 1972 chess match.
With knowledge that Spassky was a master of honing in on routines and predictability, Fischer decided to act erratically instead.
It all began days before the match when Fischer made it unclear if he would even show up in Reykjavik, only arriving moments before the tournament was set to be cancelled due to his absence.
After this stunt, Fischer proceeded to complain about everything from the lighting and chairs to the noise levels in the room- anything to throw off his opponent.
During their first game, Fischer blundered through moves, seemingly making simple mistakes- but really it was all part of his plan.
He wanted Spassky second guessing himself, wondering if he was playing a real opponent or just being toyed with by someone who had no interest or ability in playing chess correctly.
Ultimately this strategy worked for Fiona as he went on to win game after game with bold moves of unpredictability eventually winning him the world championship title.
So remember that when competing against others, acting erratically can keep them disoriented and off balance- enabling you to get ahead and succeed.
Surrender To Your Opponents: The Power Of Surrendering For Self-Empowerment
It can be tempting to fight to the bitter end against a stronger opponent, but in some cases surrendering may do more to help you gain power in the long run.
Consider the story of Bertolt Brecht and his fellow communists fleeing Europe during World War II and coming to America.
When they were summoned before US Congress, his radical peers challenged the authority by yelling and being uncooperative.
Brecht himself was calm and polite, answering questions as asked – which helped him to get released by the government without major repercussions.
His friends, however, were blacklisted from publishing for years!
The lesson here is that if you find yourself up against an opponent more powerful than you, then sometimes it’s best just to give up or at least pretend that you have given up.
Not only will this protect you from further damage and suffering, but it might also open an opportunity for you when your opponent lowers their guard upon thinking they have won.
Surrendering in these situations can be a strategy of self-empowerment if done right, allowing you to build strength over time instead of making major sacrifices that don’t last very long.
The Power Of Acting Like Royalty: Why It’s Essential For Higher-Ups To Carry Themselves With Confidence
If you want to be treated like a superior, you’ve got to act like one.
People are naturally suspicious of those in charge who don’t act the part – for instance, French King Louis-Philippe during the 1830s and 40s.
Instead of embracing royal ceremonies, symbols and keeping the company of royalty, Louis-Phillipe was infamous for wearing a gray hat and holding an umbrella – instead of his crown and scepter.
This didn’t sit well with either the rich or the poor, and eventually even his ‘wealthy banker friends’ turned on him till he was forced to abdicate.
The lesson here? If people think you’re above them while you’re acting modestly and humble, they’ll assume it’s all just a trick to cloud your true position.
Instead, if you firmly believe in yourself as being above others and act accordingly – effectively using ‘the strategy of the crown’ – then other people will start to believe it too.
Once people can see that you’re acting authoritative, they’ll assume there must be good reason for it – take explorer Christopher Columbus as an example.
By confidently socializing with Spanish Royalty during his expeditions he secured enough funds from the throne for further voyages!
The Power Of Seduction: How Chuko Liang Used Kindness To Win A War
Chuko Liang knew that if you want to gain power over another, seduction works better than coercion.
This ancient Chinese strategist recognized that using force will only breed resentment and resistance from those affected.
Instead of attacking with force, he chose a different approach when King Menghou attacked China.
He captured King Menghou and his entire army and then threatened them, but instead of outright punishing them, he showed them kindness.
He provided them with delicious food and wine and treated them well each time they were captured.
Each time releasing his enemy’s soldiers while only letting the king go when he promised that if ever captured again he would bow to the Chinese king.
By playing on their feelings, King Liang was able to make them do what he wanted – out of their own free will.
And this gesture eventually paid off as on the seventh capture, King Menghou dropped to Liang’s feet in surrendering himself and his kingdom.
It just goes to show that sometimes true power comes not from coercive tactics but rather through gentle manipulation rooted in kindness, understanding and compassion.
Wrap Up
The 48 Laws of Power is a book that provides readers with insight on the historic importance of power and control.
It explores the successes and failures of individuals throughout history who sought to gain wealth, power, and prestige by using these tactics.
Through studying and learning from their experiences, anyone can become a master at wielding influence and getting what they want out of life.
The ultimate takeaway from this book is that we live in a world where power still reigns supreme.
Knowing how to maneuver through such politically charged waters can be difficult, but The 48 Laws of Power gives us valuable advice so that we become better equipped for success.
With this knowledge, there will be nothing stopping you from achieving greatness!
