In this post, we will explore the book “The 48 Laws of Power” and how it applies to the modern workplace. But first, our disclosure:
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Summary of the Book “The 48 Laws of Power”
“The 48 Laws of Power” by Robert Greene is a thought-provoking and controversial book that digs into the ins and outs of power. In his bestselling novel, Greene delves into 48 laws that have been used by influential people throughout history, using examples and stories to bring each law to life. The book offers valuable insights into human behavior, strategy, and manipulation, making it a fascinating read for anyone curious about the complexities of power dynamics.
“The 48 Laws of Power” is over 450 pages long, and my Amazon Kindle clocked the reading time at 24 hours (but I might just be a slow reader!). Despite its length, it is one of the most captivating and thought-provoking books I have ever read.
Each chapter in “The 48 Laws of Power” presents short, intriguing stories that span the globe from ancient to modern times to illustrate each law. The book breaks down each chapter by showcasing the outcomes of historical figures who adhered to the law, what transpired when they violated it, and the reverse of the law.
Readers will learn how the greatest empires, explorers, kings, queens, military leaders, and con artists utilized these laws to their advantage and what happened when they didn’t.
The 48 Laws of Controversy
Warning: “The 48 Laws of Power” is not for the faint of heart.
The “48 Laws of Power” is a highly controversial book, with some criticizing it for promoting manipulative and narcissistic behavior. Due to its contentious nature, the book has been banned in some prisons.
I read this book to understand the dynamics of power and to defend myself against power-hungry individuals.
Let’s face it: It would be naive for me to believe that most people have my best interest at heart. You only have to look at your place of work to see that this is not true.
Check out the video below from Robert Greene explaining the rationale behind his book.
The 48 Laws of Power In The Modern Workplace
Is there anywhere outside of Washington, DC, with more power-hungry, narcissistic, and manipulative individuals than our workplaces?
The power dynamics of ancient royal courts have not gone away. Instead, they have been replaced by those in the modern workplace. Make no mistake: The same power struggles from hundreds and thousands of years ago are still very much present in our work environments.
It might be nice to think we have moved beyond such petty ways, but that is not reality. Our technology may have evolved, but human nature has not. The most mind-blowing aspect of “The 48 Laws of Power” is that as you read through the history of events, you realize that we are not much different from people thousands of years ago.
Humans have always strived for power, money, and influence, whether in ancient Rome or the modern office. Understanding these power dynamics can help you navigate your career, ensuring job security and a growing paycheck.
I want to stress that I do not condone manipulating others to achieve your goals. However, it is important to recognize when others are doing so and how to handle the situation. You can often use one law of power to counter another.
Let’s dive into some of Robert Greene’s 48 Laws of Power and see how we can use them to outmaneuver our power-hungry boss and tricky co-workers. After all, just because they’re aiming for power doesn’t mean we must break out the white flag!
Below are the select laws of power that I believe are most relevant to the modern workplace. If you want to explore all 48 laws, I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy of “The 48 Laws of Power.”
Law 1: Never Outshine The Master
There is a reason why Robert Greene put this law first. Robert Greene says it best:
“It is a deadly but common misperception to believe that by displaying and vaunting your gifts and talents, you are winning the master’s affection. He my feign appreciation, but at his first opportunity he will replace you with someone less intelligent, less attractive, less threatening”
Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
This is an important rule when dealing with a jealous and power-hungry boss. Once a boss of this type feels threatened, they will extinguish your light and cast you into the dark corner of the office. I have dealt with the consequences of this situation in my career.
A boss dimmed my light by cutting me off from direct contact with other power brokers within the organization. He became the only face that higher-ups would ever see while taking credit for my team’s success, which I built from the ground up. He got the promotion. I got nothing.
Building trust and loyalty are the best counterstrikes against a jealous boss. If you manage teams, I encourage you to let your direct reports shine. Give them the credit they deserve and celebrate their accomplishments.
It’s much harder to diminish the impact of many talented individuals than just one. Eventually, the combined brilliance of many will become impossible for others to overlook.
Law 5: So Much Depends on Reputation — Guard It with Your Life
Having a strong reputation is everything. Without one, you can get stuck in a dead-end job or cast out onto the street.
If you master this law, your reputation and influence will grow within your organization, leading to promotions and more money.
Produce high-quality work and avoid petty office politics. Be a dependable problem solver who gets things done. Avoid workplace gossip.
“As they say, your reputation precedes you, and if it inspires respect, a lot of your work is done for you before you arrive on the scene, or utter a single word.”
Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
Guard your reputation like your career depends on it because it does.
Law 7: Get Others to Do the Work for You, but Always Take the Credit
We all have been victims of this law. You work your butt off on a task, and then someone swoops in and steals all the credit. Far too many bosses and co-workers are ready to take the credit (and the promotion) for your hard work. It’s infuriating.
You must recognize when you are dealing with someone who only cares about climbing the corporate ladder. In my experience, one way to spot them is when they deliberately keep you out of the loop. Remember, information is power. By controlling the flow of information, they can easily take credit for your hard work. So, be cautious and strategic in your interactions.
On the other hand, I strongly discourage using this law against others. Over time, it will sow animosity and discontent. If you are a manager, your primary role is facilitating and building successful teams. As such, your top priority is to recruit and develop talent.
Celebrating and promoting your team’s achievements is a sign of a true leader. Doing so builds trust and loyalty, a one-two punch against those trying to steal your credit.
Law 10: Infection: Avoid The Unhappy And Unlucky
It’s common in every work environment to encounter individuals who thrive on negativity. They constantly lament about their work, colleagues, or the company itself. While it’s natural to have grievances about our jobs, we must not immerse ourselves in a culture of constant complaints, drama, and pessimism.
We all know someone at work who fits this description. Drama follows them wherever they go, and they complain about everything. There is nothing you or the company can do to make them happy. If their company adds an extra holiday each year, they would complain about why it took them so long.
These naysayers can affect our morale and hinder our progress. Maintaining a balance is essential, understanding that occasional venting is normal, but consistently surrounding ourselves with negativity is detrimental to our well-being and professional growth.
Law 9: Win Through Your Actions, Never Through Argument
Does arguing ever change anyone’s mind? If you argue with someone and they grudgingly mumble, “Fine, you’re right,” you haven’t won the argument. It means they’re tired of the debate and want to move on. You haven’t convinced them; they’re likely plotting your downfall as we speak.
We’ve all been on those never-ending email chains where people repeat the same points. Then, someone arranges a conference call to rehash the same arguments. It is like a chaotic game of verbal ping-pong. Everyone talks over each other, getting louder as they argue their point, but in the end, they are right back where they started.
The best way to win an argument is through action. Prove your point by taking action. If your approach works, great, you have won the argument. If it doesn’t work, try another method until you find a path that works. Regardless, you will become known as someone who gets things done, making it easier to win arguments in the future.
“The power of demostrating your idea is that your opponents do not get-defensive, and are therefore more open to persuasion. Making them literally and physically feel your meaning is infinitely more powerful than argument.”
Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
As Baltasar Gracian said, “Actions speak louder than words.”
Law 18: Do Not Build Fortresses to Protect Yourself — Isolation is Dangerous
The boss from Law 1, Never Outshine the Master, feared that his direct reports would outshine him, so he used isolation to take credit for their work. He achieved this by isolating his teams from interactions with people above him, but in doing so, he distanced himself from the teams he managed.
He stopped holding team meetings and giving direct feedback, creating resentment and anger among his teams. How did he handle this situation? By withdrawing into his fortress – his office – spending most of his time behind a closed door.
“The moment you lose contact with your people, seeking security in isolation, rebellion is brewing. Never imagine yourself so elevated that you can afford to cut yourself off from the lowest echleons.
Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
Don’t let success go to your head. Remain grounded and humble. Your colleagues and luck play a significant role in your success within an organization. Never lose sight of that. Keep your connections strong and your office door open.
Law 19: Know Who You’re Dealing with — Do Not Offend the Wrong Person
This law is self-explanatory and requires little explanation. Disregard it at your own risk.
Offending the wrong person can cause many headaches and can be a career-ending mistake. Most importantly, remember this law when dealing with people outside of your organization.
The best way to follow this rule is to treat others with respect and control your emotions. It’s also important to remember that less is more. By keeping your communication succinct and focused, there will be less of a chance that you will say something you regret.
Talk less, say more.
Law 23: Concentrate Your Forces
At work, we are constantly pulled in a thousand different directions. We receive nonstop requests and wear more and more hats. Feeling like we can never concentrate on one task for too long, we multitask ourselves into mediocrity. We have become jacks of all trades but experts at none.
In today’s workplace, you need to turn down the noise of urgency and learn to focus on the most important tasks. People over-emphasize the urgency of a request in their communications. You must learn to view these requests through your lens of priorities, not someone else’s.
Don’t be afraid to ignore an email or decline a meeting that does not meet your priorities. Most of these emails are just lazy attempts at delegation anyway. The odds are, if left alone, the person who sent the email will end up dealing with it themselves.
The bottom line is that multitasking and endless communications stretch you thin and leave you winless. Instead, focus your time and energy on tasks that align with your goals. To achieve success, concentrate on what matters most and strive to do it better than anyone else!
Law 30: Make Your Accomplishments Seem Effortless
People love to showcase their efforts when working on a task. They often take pride in the number of hours they put in, wanting everyone to know how hard they work. People enjoy making things look difficult, but that is the opposite of what they should do.
Remember: Making a difficult task look easy can improve your reputation at work. When you make your achievements seem effortless, you gain trust and respect for your abilities, which can result in more opportunities in the workplace. This can lead to higher pay and more chances for promotion.
The bottom line is no one wants to see how the sausage is made; they only like the results. The same is true of your work. So, let everyone enjoy the final feast without knowing what goes on in the kitchen!
I have one word of caution: There is a downside to making everything seem effortless. When you make your accomplishments seem effortless, you may find people dumping the hardest tasks in your lap. It can also lead to envy (see law 46 below: Never appear too perfect).
So, make sure to strike a balance. You do this by selectively letting people look behind the scenes from time to time. Give them a little glimpse of the dirty work. Otherwise, you will be an overworked employee that everyone secretly envies!
Law 41: Avoid Stepping into a Great Man’s Shoes
Whether we like it or not, we are always compared to our predecessors. It is much easier to step into someone’s smelly pair of shoes than into a great man’s shoes.
Replacing someone who is underperforming and unpopular at work can help you stand out. This person sets a low bar for you to surpass, so any small improvement over your predecessor will feel like a giant leap. However, stepping into the shoes of a highly successful individual is a different story.
Be cautious when replacing a top performer at work who is popular with their peers. The bar may be set so high that surpassing it becomes nearly impossible. Any small mistake you make will be magnified. Your colleagues may see it as an opportunity to exploit for their benefit, ultimately stepping into the smelly shoes you leave behind!
If you find yourself in a situation where you are stepping into a great man’s shoes, do your best to distinguish yourself from your predecessor. Don’t try to be just like them. Let your personality shine, and remember the law of power #9: win through your actions.
Law 46: Never Appear Too Perfect
This rule of power ultimately boils down to envy. If you come across as too perfect, your success may be met with envy and resentment from people you consider allies in the workplace. Even worse is when you allow that success to get to your head, causing you to become unapproachable.
“Never be so foolish as to believe that you are stirring up admiration by fluanting the qualities that raise you above others.”
Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
On the other hand, resist the urge to envy other people’s success, as it only leads to wasted energy. Instead, focus on excelling in your unique skills and talents rather than comparing yourself to others. Remember, not everyone can be a CEO, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be outstanding in our own fields.
As Cosimo de’ Medici stated, “There is in the garden a plant which one ought to leave dry, although most people water it. It is the weed called Envy.”
Law 47: Do Not Go Past the Mark You Aimed For; In Victory, Learn When to Stop
History is filled with great leaders and empires that met their downfall because they didn’t know when to stop. Having tasted victory, they continued pushing forward until they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
We all have experiences like this in the workplace: that person in a meeting who doesn’t know when to stop pushing, even after getting what they want, or the person who sends yet another email to push a point they’ve already won. This approach creates resistance, leading to defeat when victory is assured.
Early in my career, one of my bosses taught me the importance of knowing when to stop. During a conference call, I persuaded someone to agree to my terms. Rather than stopping, I kept pushing. When we got off the call, my boss said, “Once you hear yes, shut up and hang up.”
I have lived by that motto ever since.
Savor the victory, know when to stop pushing, and once you get what you want, shut up and hang up.
Law 48: Assume Formlessness
Robert Greene put this law of power last for a very good reason: it is the most powerful law of power.
Life is unpredictable. What worked before may not work now. To adapt to our ever-changing world, you must remain flexible in your thinking and approach. The workplace is no exception. Sometimes, you have to disregard all the laws of power.
Organizations are like living organisms, changing and adapting to their surroundings. As such, you have to maintain flexibility and become formless. Do not become set in your ways and rigid in your thinking. What worked to solve one problem may not work with another. Don’t be the person who says, “That’s not how we did it before” or “That’s not how we do it here.”
Do not pigeonhole yourself. While aggression and boldness may have led to success, they could lead to your downfall later on. You must adapt to your present situation; do not live in the past.
The ability to adapt is the ultimate mode of survival. Darwin’s theory of evolution focuses on how organisms adapt to their environment through mutations. Your work environment is no different. Embrace continuous reinvention and evolve with the ever-changing times!
Always remember that adaptability and creativity go hand-in-hand. You cannot have one without the other!
Remain flexible, keep expanding your knowledge, and always be open to new strategies and approaches.
Flexibility is the ultimate soft skill that will lead to a long and successful career.
“The 48 Laws of Power” Final Thoughts
“The 48 Laws of Power” is an incredibly compelling and thought-provoking book that delves into power dynamics and offers insights into human behavior. What I like most about this book is that Robert Greene uses history to tell a story. You will not look at the same mighty historical figures the same way again. I also couldn’t help but interpret the laws of power in the context of the modern workplace.
As I immersed myself in “The 48 Laws of Power,” I found myself drawing parallels between the stories in the book and my professional interactions with colleagues, peers, and superiors. This introspective journey has provided valuable insights and a deeper understanding of the dynamics at play in the work environment.
I highlighted several influential laws of power that I think are relevant for people in the workplace. After reading the book, you might discover additional laws that speak to you. However, be cautious.
“The 48 Laws of Power” is controversial for a reason: Manipulating people is a bad idea. Don’t do it!
Power is fleeting, and empires eventually fall. Only integrity will endure the test of time and remain standing long after the powerful have fallen. So, use this book for good and as a defensive playbook against power-hungry people in the workplace.
Never forget that the person who chooses to do what is right wields the greatest power of all.
