48 Laws of Collaboration: Friends and Enemies

Second Law of Power: Never put too Much Trust in Friends, Learn how to use Enemies

Be wary of friends-they will betray you more quickly, for they are easily aroused to envy. They also become spoiled and tyrannical. But hire a former enemy and he will be more loyal than a friend, because he has more to prove. In fact, you have more to fear from friends than from enemies. If you have no enemies, find a way to make them.

Second Law of Collaboration: Treat everyone as co-conspirator

Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends? ~Abraham Lincoln

Be quick to transform enemies into allies. Seek out those who disagree and oppose you and listen carefully for their need and values and show them how together you can both succeed. Conflicts are opportunities for connection, to win together instead of alone. Orient them toward common enemies, draw them shoulder-to-shoulder instead of face-to-face.