1. Never shine brighter than the person who holds the key to your future. It is your job to make him look better, not to turn the spotlight on yourself. If you are too good at your job, that may be a threat to your master.
2. Friends are for private time, not for getting or using power. If you make use of friends, they may turn against you, resenting the inference that they have been granted a favor, rather than having risen of their own merit. If you use enemies to your advantage, they are more likely to remain loyal. You can also use enemies against each other. It can be helpful to have friends around if you need a scapegoat and are prepared to sacrifice the friend.
3. Never give away what you really want. That knowledge is an advantage to the person who holds it, just as knowing what your opponent wants is an advantage for you. Adopting a position contrary to that expected of you is an effective means of deception, and likely to achieve traction.
4. Keeping your own counsel is a valuable trait. People naturally want to fill silence with words. You will seem to be more powerful and mysterious if you say less, and people may share information you would not otherwise be privy to.
5. Be careful to develop a reputation for honesty, even without truly being honest. A reputation becomes self-reinforcing. Do not become defensive if someone threatens your reputation, and do not hesitate to impugn the reputation of your rivals. But make sure that you do not use accusations which can be easily disproved or traced back to you as the source.
6. Always get attention, even if it is negative. While you want to protect your reputation, the aura of scandal can draw publicity and put you in the limelight. This will at least ensure that people are aware of you. Another way to get attention is by appearing to be unusual or exotic.
7. Get others to do your work for you, and take credit whenever possible.
8. If you can force your opponent to come to you, rather than going to him, you will maintain the upper hand.
9. Use actions or symbols instead of words to make your point. People are rarely persuaded by arguments, they are more often persuaded by what they can see.
10. Avoid people who are down on their luck. They are like people with a contagious illness, they will spread it to those around them. It is useless to try and help them, and you risk being dragged down with them. You are better off associating with other successful people.
11. Make yourself indispensable and you will have the freedom to fulfill your ambitions. If you are essential to the successful operation of your organization, or if your superior cannot function without you, you succeed in cementing your place of power.
12. Surprise people with an occasional truth or an unexpected gift. If you have a reputation for parsimony, a generous act will confuse your opponent and leave them wondering what you are up to. Similarly, if you have been honest with them, you will be able to deceive with impunity.
13. Do not appeal to your target’s mercy. Just as you would show no mercy to your opponent, do not ask for any. Your adversary has no concern for what is in your best interest, and you must craft a request that offers something for them. They are interested in what is in it for them, not you.
14. In order to gain the upper hand, you need information. If you have common acquaintances, you can get the information you need about your victim from those third parties. Otherwise, you will need to act as a spy on your own, in social or casual circumstances. Be careful not to give away information of your own. Also be wary of potential disinformation, deliberately planted.
15. Never stop short of total destruction of your enemy. When you have the upper hand, continue the attack until they have been annihilated. If you do not, they will recover and return to seek revenge.
16. Use your presence and absence strategically to maintain interest. Don’t let people get tired of seeing you, let them wonder where you are instead.
17. Be unpredictable to keep your opponent off-balance. If they cannot guess what you are going to do next, they will be constantly wary. This is exhausting, and gives you the advantage. People learn to expect you to behave in a certain way. When you deviate from that pattern, it is unsettling and frightening.
18. Do not get trapped in a fortress. Keep your options open and always have an escape route. By hiding in a secure area, you cut yourself off from supporters, information, and information.
19. Be careful of who you are dealing with, and do not offend the wrong person. The most dangerous opponents are the prideful, the insecure, the suspicious, the snake, and the fool. Be careful in how you approach each of them.
20. Don’t take sides. Let all sides vie for your approval, but do not give it. You can make it seem as if you are favoring one over the other, but never make a real commitment, unless you absolutely sure that is the winning side.
21. Act as if your target has the advantage over you. People want to believe they are smarter or more clever than others. Let them believe you are a fool, and you will have a hidden advantage.
22. Surrender before you are defeated. Don’t squander your remaining energy in pursuit of a losing battle. If you are in a weak position, walk away and recoup your losses, then come back to seek revenge when you are stronger.
23. Focus on one thing at a time, or one master at a time. Do not try to please more than one superior, or you risk pleasing none. But always try to have a back-up plan.
24. How to climb the ladder: rules for success
- Do not call attention to yourself.
- Don’t let them see you sweat.
- Don’t be obsequious.
- Create a distinctive style.
- Use imitation as flattery.
- Only carry good news.
- Do not act too familiar with the boss.
- Do not criticize your superiors directly.
- Ask for as little as possible.
- Keep humor at a high level.
- Be a cheerleader for others.
- Watch your actions closely.
- Always watch your emotions.
- Stay up to date.
- Be likeable.
25. Create the identity you want to have. You can emphasize the aspects of yourself that you want to, or even recreate a whole new persona for yourself.
26. Keep your hands clean. Always have a scapegoat ready to blame, or use someone else to do your dirty work.
27. People follow charismatic leaders; create a cult following for yourself. Be vague about the expectations, use the structure of existing religions but with exciting visual and sensory stimulation, and promise a fulfilling future.
28. Go big. Big lies, big moves show boldness and determination. Never start out timidly. If you hesitate you are doomed to failure.
29. Know what your goal is, and when you are going to walk away. Know when to stop.
30. Make the hard work look easy. Never show how much effort you have put into your accomplishments.
31. To push your target toward the choice that you want them to make without letting them know they are being manipulated, you must carefully employ a strategy so they believe the choice is theirs.
32. Give them a dream. Let them believe in a fantasy—get rich quick, harmony and good will, immortality—and they will follow you.
33. Find their weakness and use it against them. Your target may have a guilty secret or a secret yearning. Either way, if you can find out what it is, you can use it as leverage to compel them to do your bidding.
34. Act like royalty. If you act like you are entitled to the finer things, others will treat you the same way.
35. Timing is often the key to success. Pay attention to timing for the initiation of a campaign, use timing to knock your opponent off balance, and take the time to finish the victory completely.
36. Never show any interest in something you cannot have. It is best to feign indifference or disdain for something that is out of reach.
37. Dazzle your audience with special effects. Use lights, sounds and other effects to create the illusion you desire.
38. Don’t share your unconventional views, if you have them. When seeking power and authority, it is best to limit the discussion of unpopular or unusual viewpoints. People do not trust the unfamiliar and will balk at supporting someone who is too different. Keep your differences quiet.
39. Control your emotions, but trigger theirs. While it is critical to keep firm rein of your emotions and facial expressions, it is an advantage if you can prod your target into losing control of his.
40. Don’t put too much emphasis on money. People who spend too much energy chasing a bargain, or looking for something for nothing, lose sight of real values.
41. It is difficult to follow in the footsteps of a great leader. If you are trying to replace someone very successful, you must find a way to differentiate yourself, without denigrating that revered predecessor.
42. Eliminate the leader of the group, and the group will soon fall apart.
43. If your followers love you, they will support you through difficult times. It is easier to lead your constituents down a windy or treacherous path if they believe that you care about them.
44. Use mirror image illusions to confuse your enemy and obfuscate your intended actions.
45. Move slowly. People fear rapid change, and need time to adjust to a new environment.
46. Showing your own imperfections, or false imperfections, makes you appear vulnerable and therefore your opponents may let their guard down. If you admit to a vice or flaw, you will seem more approachable and human than if you try to look perfect.
47. Stop fighting when you reach your goal. Don’t get caught up in your victory and keep forging ahead. Once you have achieved your objective, take the time to assess, regroup and focus before you continue.
48. Be adaptable. Always be able to change direction seamlessly and adapt to a changing landscape.