"I violated a lot of the 48 laws of power before I wrote the book," he says. "Never outshine the master, law number one ... I outshone probably two, maybe three masters." The author has written books on everything from sports to business and politics. His latest is about how you can become powerful by mastering your field.
The Learning Leader Show
Episode 220: Robert Greene - The Laws Of Power & Mastery
Robert Greene is an American author and speaker known for his books on strategy, power and seduction. He has written five international bestsellers: The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, The 33 Strategies of War, The 50th Law and Mastery. In addition to having a strong following within the business world and a deep following in Washington, DC, Greene’s books are hailed by everyone from war historians to the biggest musicians in the industry (including Jay-Z and 50 Cent).
"Do Not Speak Unless You Can Improve Upon The Silence."
Show Notes:
- Sustained Excellence:
- Self Mastery
- Self Control -- "We are emotional animals, governed by emotions. It can get you in trouble."
- Self Discipline
- Flexibility -- Ability to adapt
- Why Napoleon was successful? He had a front line obsession
- Writing a book with 50 Cent
- "Never let your guard down"
- Law 4 - Always say less than necessary. "Do not speak unless you can improve upon the silence."
- Learn the power of being quiet
- If you're upset about an email, do not respond emotionally. Wait 24 hours and then respond with a level head
- Law 9 - Win Through Your Actions, Never Through Argument. "Demonstrate, do not explicate."
- Commit to action. Words are devalued
- "Show them. Don't talk."
- Law 10 - Infection: Avoid The Unhappy and Unlucky
- You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with
- "We absorb the energy of other people."
- Look to "level up" your peer group at all time"
- How to deal with a person in a power position who you do not like or respect?
- Do not let them see you upset. Do not show them emotion (when they try to rile you up)
- Did President Trump read The 48 Laws of Power? He appears to have used some of the laws to help get elected:
- Law 6 - Court attention at all cost
- Law 17 - Keep others in suspended terror. Cultivate an air of unpredictability
- Law 27 - Play on people's need to believe to create a cult like following
- Very common in business for an "aggressive, loud yeller" to push people around and somehow get promoted... But once they have to actually lead and manage people, they fail miserably
- Rappers, movie stars, athletes quoting (even tattooing) The 48 Laws. How has that impacted you? Great satisfaction, but even more from "regular" people who email him and said his work helped them start a business or quit a bad job.
- "Sometimes you don't know what you're intended to do. It pays to have an open mind." -- Robert didn't write The 48 Laws of Power until he was 38 years old
- "The human brain does not learn unless it is excited"
- Cesar Rodriguez -- "Trust The Process" -- You must get reps, reps, reps in order to achieve any level of excellence
- Think long term and put in the necessary work to be great
- Advice: "You were born with a purpose. Tap into what makes you different and unique. There is tremendous pressure to fit in. You will have success if you dig deep, be adventurous, try things out. Respect your unique-ness, something great will happen."
"The Human Brain Does Not Learn Unless It Is Excited."
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Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon
Episode 216: Jim Collins -- How To Go From Good To Great
Episode 179: How To Sustain Excellence - The Best Answers From 178 Questions
Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why
