There are many books on mindset, hustling, marketing, and sales but very few are written about POWER. In Robert Greene’s best-selling book “The 48 Laws of Power” he discusses just every tactic there is in order to gain power. Now you might ask, “Why would I want power? I’m happy just minding my own business!” And to this we’re saying, you’re wrong. Power is everywhere and you will have to deal with it whether you like it or not. We use power to negotiate deals, to get a favorable outcome, to land an “impossible” outcome, and ultimately to get what we want.
Some say that Robert Greene is the modern-day Machiavelli. Some say that this book is so manipulative that Robert is pure evil. This book is so powerful that they banned it in some prisons!
Here’s The Online Mpire’s take on The 48 Laws of Power.
First, let’s talk about what this book is about. The 48 Laws of Power is about on literally, POWER. Yes, some of the laws are manipulative like everyone says. Yes, some of the laws will tell you to be cunning (and somewhat evil) in order to gain favor. Yes, the book does state not to trust everyone and that you should always go for your best interest.
But, this book is not evil. It simply states, human nature at its core. This book is amoral, it’s neither good nor evil. Whether you follow the laws in this book is up to you. You can use the laws inside this book in order to get what you want or at least learn the rules in the book in order to know how to deal with a person who’s manipulative and is trying to milk you for his or her own personal game. Thus, this book is a must-read for everyone.
Next, we talk about the format of the book. The 48 Laws are listed and that the laws can already stand on their own. We will list them here don’t worry. Green describes each law and how it was used by great leaders of the past.
It is easier to understand the laws by learning how each was used by someone in the past. Side stories abound the book with influential people who practiced the laws. An occasional quote or two will pop every few pages. The last few words about the chapter will discuss how the particular law may backfire (because there are always exceptions to rules right?).
My favorite takeaways from the book:
1. Build a Reputation and Never Tarnish It.
It takes a lot to create a name. But when people know you for being trustworthy, they will rely on you no matter what. If you can build trust, you can do almost anything. But if you destroy trust, no person will ever trust you again. And then things get worse because a bad reputation will haunt your name forever.
You can build your reputation for decades but only one mistake will destroy your name forever. People will most often talk about negative experiences over positive ones. That’s why most brands strive to give a positive customer service experience because statistically, customers who have complaints will share it with at least 8 people while a happy customer will only share the positive experience with 1 or 2.
2. Never be perfect or at least, appear to be one.
A seemingly perfect person is in a lose-lose situation. One, you will spark envy from your enemies or worse, your friends. People are naturally defensive and if you appear to be superior in every way, your friends will start to envy and plot against you. Two, your enemies will always look for a flaw. Lastly, you’ll always be under constant pressure to perform in peak performance. The spotlight is always on you. If you don’t perform well, you will pay the price. The first law also states never to outshine your boss. Because if you outshine your boss, you will be deemed as a threat and therefore be removed from your position.
Be careful of seemingly weak persons. They might just be powerful pretending to be sheep. Learn to respect everyone. You might just learn a thing or two from them. Never be jealous of someone’s talent, everyone has a different talent. Learn to appreciate others’ talents.
3. Be Reliable
When people rely on you, you will never be expendable. If your skills are irreplaceable, you won’t be replaced. But if you’re a commodity, you will be treated like one. Upskill, and be an expert in something especially if your boss is not comfy with that skill. It’s the same thing for your product or service, be the product or service that your customers can’t live without.
The opposite is true for us too. We should never be too reliant on a person, a product, or a service. Relying too much on one thing might be the end of us when things go sour.
4. Don’t trust Anyone
Just like what the book is about, it simply states that manipulative people will show you what you want. Most people will always go for their self-interest and therefore will be willing to sacrifice yours if need be.
Now, this doesn’t mean you can never trust anyone. It simply means to be on your guard because, for all you care, someone might just be taking advantage of you.
Here are the 48 Laws of Power:
Law 1: Never Outshine the Master
Law 2: Never Put Too Much Trust in Friends; Learn How to Use Enemies
Law 3: Conceal Your Intentions
Law 4: Always Say Less Than Necessary
Law 5: So Much Depends on Reputation – Guard it With Your Life
Law 6: Court Attention at All Costs
Law 7: Get Others to Do the Work For You, But Always Take the Credit
Law 8: Make Other People Come to You – Use Bait if Necessary
Law 9: Win Through Your Actions, Never Through Argument
Law 10: Infection: Avoid the Unhappy and Unlucky
Law 11: Learn to Keep People Dependent on You
Law 12: Use Selective Honesty and Generosity to Disarm Your Victim
Law 13: When Asking for Help, Appeal to People’s Self-Interest, Never to Their Mercy or Gratitude
Law 14: Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy
Law 15: Crush Your Enemy Totally
Law 16: Use Absence to Increase Respect and Honor
Law 17: Keep Others in Suspended Terror: Cultivate an Air of Unpredictability
Law 18: Do Not Build Fortresses to Protect Yourself – Isolation Is Dangerous
Law 19: Know Who You’re Dealing With – Do Not Offend the Wrong Person
Law 20: Do Not Commit to Anyone
Law 21: Play a Sucker to Catch a Sucker – Seem Dumber Than Your Mark
Law 22: Use the Surrender Tactic: Transform Weakness Into Power
Law 23: Concentrate Your Forces
Law 24: Play the Perfect Courtier
Law 25: Recreate Yourself
Law 26: Keep Your Hands Clean
Law 27: Play on People’s Need to Create a Cult-Like Following
Law 28: Enter Action With Boldness
Law 29: Plan All the Way to the End
Law 30: Make Your Accomplishments Seem Effortless
Law 31: Control the Options: Get Others to Play With the Cards You Deal With
Law 32: Play to People’s Fantasies
Law 33: Discover Each Man’s Thumbscrew
Law 34: Be Royal in Your Own Fashion: Act Like a King to Be Treated Like One
Law 35: Master the Art of Timing
Law 36: Disdain Things You Cannot Have: Ignoring Them Is the Best Revenge
Law 37: Create Compelling Spectacles
Law 38: Think as You Like But Behave Like Others
Law 39: Stir Up Waters to Catch Fish
Law 40: Despise the Free Lunch
Law 41: Avoid Stepping Into a Great Man’s Shoes
Law 42: Strike the Shepherd and the Sheep Will Scatter
Law 43: Work on the Hearts and Minds of Others
Law 44: Disarm and Infuriate With the Mirror Effect
Law 45: Preach the Need For Change, But Never Reform Too Much at Once
Law 46: Never Appear Too Perfect
Law 47: Do Not Go Past the Mark You Aimed For; in Victory, Learn When to Stop
Law 48: Assume Formlessness
In conclusion, power is something we experience all the time. The Book 48 Laws of Power teaches us to be a better boss, employee, lover, friend or family member. The book is just about human nature at its core and is never solely about manipulation or power tripping. This is just straight facts which may or may not sit well with other people. It’s just facts. It is what it is.
I recommend The 48 Law of Power by Robert Greene for everyone unless you plan to be hermits and live off the grid. I especially recommend it to ambitious people who want more from life. If you want more, go and get more. Learn the 48 laws.
We’ve only touched the surface of Robert Green’s book so please grab your own copy and study the book well.
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