Figure I’d post some of my learnings from 48 Laws since we started June 1st. I’m reading on my phone.

Preface: “ “Treating everyone equally means ignoring their differences, elevating the less skillful and suppressing those who excel. Again, many of those who behave this way are actually deploying another power strategy, redistributing people’s rewards in a way that they determine.”

Law 1: Never Outshine the Master.” Key Takeaway: “Remember the following: Never take your position for granted and never let any favors you receive go to your head” pg. 90/1780

I see this a lot in my work. People are places in positions of power, and not necessarily by virtue of their capability. Being “liked” is crucial. Especially when it comes to getting what you want. The boss has overall authority to determine a lot in your life. His/her word carries weight simply because they have been there so long and people “value” their “expertise”. Do what you can to get into their good graces, and you’ll have the weight of a superior.

Law 2: Key Takeaway: “While a friend expects more and more favors, and seethes with jealousy, these former enemies expected nothing and got everything. A man suddenly spared the guillotine is a grateful man indeed, and will go to the ends of the earth for the man who has pardoned him. In time, these former enemies became Sung’s most trusted friends.” // “Your enemies, on the other hand, are an untapped gold mine that you must learn to exploit.”

I have people who I run into every once and a while who are true betrayers. People who conspired against me in order to detract away from themselves. I let myself become weak, and they took advantage of it. In the words of Gang Starr: “My only crime was being too damn kind. And now some scandalous mother fuckers want to take what’s mine.” Ironically, some of these same people came to me years later and admitted that what they did was wrong. It never occurred to me to use exploit an enemy for benefit.

The saying “kill them with kindness” may be better translated as “exploit them with kindness”.

Enemies will do everything in their power to prove to you that they are not a “villain”, especially if they know they have done something wrong, or you come from a place of power. Abuse this.