The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
Greene, a voracious scholar of the classics, noted in his studies certain patterns
used by history's
most powerful figures, from Cleopatra to Napoleon to P. T. Barnum. He compiled his findings into a
book that reads like a how-to for attaining and keeping power. Greene neatly illustrates each law
with a historical example, an interpretation and an image that sums it up. The image of a
thumbscrew, for instance, references the unique weakness found in every man, which one should
twist to their advantage. While Greene's counsel may sound devious and sometimes downright
Machiavellian, many of his lessons have actually become standard tactics for effective managers.
For example, how many of us have at some time felt the victim of Greene's seventh law of power:
Get others to do the work for you, but always take the credit.
What it teaches us: Power is not accidental. While appearing the paragon
of virtue, you must be
constantly aware of others' intentions and foil their attempts to subvert your own. You gain respect
by saying less than necessary, by concealing your intentions and by winning through your actions
instead of your words.
Quote: "Humans are creatures of habit with an insatiable need to
see familiarity in other people's
actions. Your predictability gives them a sense of control. Turn the tables: Be deliberately
unpredictable. Behavior that seems to have no consistency or purpose will keep them off balance,
and they will wear themselves out trying to explain your moves."
