Adopt a power mindset

Robert Greene's "48 Laws of Power" begins by stating that everyone desires power over others and events, constantly seeking more. No one enjoys feeling powerless. The book acknowledges that some people find the idea of consciously engaging in power games, even indirectly, to be off-putting, evil, or immoral, viewing it as a remnant of the past. However, whether you choose to participate intentionally or not, you are still part of the game.

There's no benefit in trying to withdraw from the power game. Doing so will only result in having less power and feeling unhappy. Instead of resisting the unavoidable or feeling guilty, it's more advantageous to become adept at the power game.

The more skilled you are at handling power, the better person you become. You'll bring others joy and boost their self-esteem. Furthermore, people will want to be around you (as we enjoy being in the presence of powerful individuals) and will rely on your skills.

By mastering the 48 Laws, you'll relieve others of the pain of poorly playing the game by assuming control. The book talks about foundational skills and mindsets to master:

1. Master your emotions

   1. The most important skill is controlling emotions, as they can cloud judgment and hinder objective analysis. Emotional responses, particularly anger, can escalate situations and strengthen opponents. It's more effective to keep opponents off guard by appearing friendly. Love can also obscure self-serving behaviors in others. Controlling emotions involves careful expression without letting them impact plans and strategies.

      
      

2. View the past and future objectively

   1. Study the past to educate yourself, avoiding pain and grudges that cloud judgment. Learn from past power players and your own experiences.

   2. For the future, anticipate problems to avoid surprises. Plan for all possible outcomes to increase your power.

      
      

3. Change to suit the occasion

   1. Greene discusses the concept of wearing various masks to match different occasions. He advises detaching from one's true self and focusing on hiding one's true intentions.

   2. These masks are portrayed as tools of deception and are considered the most crucial weapon in gaining power.

   3. In organisations, we face fundamental dichotomies. On one hand, there is a need to bring our authentic selves to work while remaining adaptable to change, and simultaneously maintaining optimism to align with workplace culture and fit, whilst, the cold hard truths of business and profit margins often determine how an organisation is run.

      
      

4. Be patient

   1. Patience will protect you from making foolish or catastrophic mistakes. It’s a sign of strength, whereas showing impatience makes you look weak. Rest assured that good things will come if you bide your time and see several steps into the future.

      
      

5. Forget Good and Evil

   1. Perceive situations without labeling them as good or bad. Power itself is neutral and akin to a game. In strategic play, evaluate others based on the impact of their actions, not their intentions. Assess their strategy and power through observation and intuition, avoiding moral judgments.

   2. Avoid taking things personally — remember, it’s a game. Approach it strategically, observing your opponent’s moves, their results, and the context with composure. Stay focused and avoid distractions.

   3. Key point: What you choose not to do, and what you resist being drawn into, are as crucial as your actions.

   4. Judge on the outcomes and results of their actions. Noone truly knows anyone's motives, and nor should it matter.

      
      

6. Calculate cost

   1. Evaluate everything based on its cost to you. You might reach your objective, but understand the price beforehand. Use this criterion for all decisions, including whether to work with others or assist them. Life is brief, and your opportunities and energy are finite. Time is a cost. Avoid squandering precious time or mental energy on the problems of others.

      
      

7. Study and understand people

   1. Power is a social game, so become a psychologist by analysing the motivations behind people's actions to learn how to influence them. By understanding someone's hidden motives, you can exploit them through deception and manipulation.

   2. Key principle: Never fully trust anyone. Scrutinise everyone, even your friends and loved ones.

      
      

8. Pursue power indirectly

   1. Keep your strategy hidden, and don't count your chickens before the eggs hatch.

   2. Develop and execute your actions discreetly and quietly, ensuring you aren't discovered or giving your opponent the opportunity to anticipate your moves.

What is a power mindset?

A power mindset is the decision to:

• Be deliberate instead of reactive

• Be strategic instead of purely emotional

• Be clear on your goals and pursue them consistently

Most of us already have a variety of goals that we aspire to achieve in our personal and professional lives. These goals often serve as guiding principles that shape our decisions and motivate us to strive for improvement.

The goals we set for ourselves, whether they are related to career advancement, entrepreneurship, family protection, earning respect, or achieving financial security, play a significant role in shaping our lives. These aspirations not only give us direction but also inspire us to grow and evolve as individuals. The pursuit of these goals can lead to a more fulfilling and purposeful life, as we strive to overcome obstacles and achieve our dreams.

But we often sabotage ourselves because we:

• Overshare out of emotion

• Trust the wrong people

• Absorb other people’s negativity

• Underestimate who we’re dealing with

A power mindset enables us to tell ourselves that we can still be kind and ethical, but we are not naive. Understanding power and having the right mindset will help us avoid those pitfalls of self sabotage and traps that others can lay for us (deliberately or not).

Final thoughts

Many of us are taught to be kind, honest, loyal, and hardworking. However, almost no one instructs us on how to think about power. We enter workplaces, businesses, and even family dynamics with good intentions, only to feel caught off guard when situations become political, emotional, or unfair. This is where a power mindset becomes essential.

Having a power mindset doesn’t mean becoming manipulative or ruthless. It involves seeing the world as it truly is—not as we wish it were—and acting with strategy instead of pure emotion.