48 Laws of Collaboration: The Role of the Master

Robert Greene’s book The 48 Laws of Power is an amoral manual on the rules surrounding power and social dynamics. There is no doubt that it is full of excellent advice, but the scope of the work leaves much to be desired. The foundational principle of the Laws of Power is that you should be out for yourself, and it is this starting assumption that prevents the advice from ever achieving the best outcomes that can be attained.

The 48 Laws of Power assume a zero-sum game, where some people lose and some people win.

I assume a different game. I assume that the zero sum game is always present, but a non-zero sum game is often possible. I believe that if you can turn zero-sum opportunities into non-zero sum collaboration, you will win out over all zero-sum players, both in the short term and in the long term.

The following is the first in a series on the 48 Laws of Collaboration



1st Law of Power: Never Outshine the Master

Always make those above you feel comfortably superior. In your desire to please or impress them, do not go too far in displaying your talents or you might accomplish the opposite – inspire fear and insecurity. Make your masters appear more brilliant than they are and you will attain the heights of power.

1st Law of Collaboration: Partner With the Master
 

Friendship is Essentially Partnership ~Aristotle
 

Those above you are at war, entrenched and unable to show their true talents. Discover their true talents and values and match your own to theirs. Impress them with the opportunity to find kinship amidst the career slog. Together, you are more powerful. Together, your life has more meaning.