"Machiavellianism" is a widely used negative term
to characterize unscrupulous politicians. Niccolò Machiavelli is widely known
for his book: The Prince. Niccolò’s book describes true human behavior. Yes,
some of these things are unscrupulous but it is the reality of the world,
especially in many business ventures. How can one navigate through other
people’s business treachery? Apply these techniques:
1.
Play the fool to catch the wise is
an old saying. Use it! Make your opponents feel they are smarter than you. Once
they think this way, your ulterior motives won’t be called into suspect.
2.
If your opponents are stronger than you,
don’t fight them for ego and honor. Don’t give them the satisfaction of
defeating you. Make surrender a tool of power for they become confused about
your next move.
3.
Play on your strengths. Highlighting
your strong points and minimizes attention to your weak points. Don’t waste
valuable time going everywhere; focus and target your niche.
4. Master the art of courtier. This is a
person who gains favor through flattery and charm. When you know how and what
to say at the appropriate time, there is no limited opportunity for you.
5. Progress means recreating yourself.
Never accept societal norms. The one that commands attention will never bores
an audience. Always strive to be unique for no one cares or remember commonalty
unless it is for their political or economic interest. Whether it is clothes or
gestures, your power will be enhanced and your character will seem larger than
life.
6. Always keep your hands clean. Never be
the heavy. Let scapegoats and the invisible hand disguise your involvement.
Draw the negativity to someone else.
7. Find out what cult like following your
audiences are vulnerable to supporting. Many people have strong desire to
believe in something. Become the focal point of such desire by offering them a
cause, a new faith to follow. It is important to keep the words vague but full
of promises. People will see and hear what they want to hear.
8. Fake it till you make it. Better to do
something with boldness than timidity. How can you lead if you don’t believe or
project it? The audience will also pick up on this and you lose your
creditability.
9. Fight to the finish. It is never about
how you start but who crosses the finish line. By planning it to the end, you
will not be overwhelmed by circumstances and you will know when to stop.
10. Make the end product seem effortless.
Behaving naturally and at ease will show confidence as if it is normal and you
could have done more. We all know the
behind the scenes of blood, sweat , tears but never project that aura to the
public.
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