Open Residency

chevron_right

Robert Greene on Ego Traps, The Art of Control, & How to Stay Irreplaceable

whatshot 73 snips

Oct 14, 2025

Guest

Robert Greene

In this engaging discussion, Robert Greene, a bestselling author renowned for works like The 48 Laws of Power, delves into the psychology of power and strategy. He explains how concealing intentions fosters aura and influence, and why formlessness triumphs over rigidity in business. Greene shares insights on reputation as capital, the dangers of chasing attention, and strategies to recover from reputational damage. He also emphasizes treating your twenties as a crucial apprenticeship and reveals themes from his new book, The Sublime, shaped by a near-death experience.

01:19:37

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

volunteer_activism

ADVICE

Lead With Vision, Conceal Strategy

Communicate a clear vision to your team but conceal strategic intentions from rivals.
Keep internal transparency for alignment and external secrecy to prevent mimicry.

volunteer_activism

ADVICE

Use Silence As Leverage

Say less in meetings to create an aura of power and mystery.
Speak only when it adds weight so your words carry influence.

insights

INSIGHT

We Are All Social Actors

People constantly perform different roles; authenticity is a myth in social life.
Embrace adaptive acting to navigate social and professional situations.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

When Is Honesty the Right Strategy?

01:25 • 5min

chevron_right

How Silence and Concealment Create Power

06:05 • 5min

chevron_right

Why Being Formless Beats Rigidity

11:13 • 7min

chevron_right

Reinventing a Brand to Avoid Becoming Passe

18:00 • 3min

chevron_right

The Tradeoffs of Chasing Attention

21:02 • 3min

chevron_right

Is It Better to Be Slandered or Ignored?

24:16 • 3min

chevron_right

Can a Ruined Reputation Be Rebuilt?

26:49 • 2min

chevron_right

Why Reputation Functions as Capital

29:03 • 3min

chevron_right

How to Package Wins Without Threatening Your Boss

32:08 • 9min

chevron_right

When Taking Credit Can Backfire

41:25 • 2min

chevron_right

Why Free Offers Often Cost More

43:55 • 4min

chevron_right

How to Ask for Help by Appealing to Self-Interest

47:53 • 6min

chevron_right

The Single Most Important Skill: Focus Outward

53:55 • 2min

chevron_right

What Your Twenties Should Be For

55:52 • 5min

chevron_right

When to Commit to a Life Direction

01:00:35 • 3min

chevron_right

Why Money Is Mostly Psychology

01:03:48 • 2min

chevron_right

Which Seduction Strategy Works in Business?

01:06:15 • 2min

chevron_right

Lightning Round: Books, Podcasts, and Entrepreneurs to Watch

01:07:53 • 3min

chevron_right

What Is Robert Greene's Next Book About?

01:10:57 • 5min

chevron_right

How Robert Would Advise His Younger Self

• Mentioned in 37 episodes

The 33 Strategies of War

Don Leslie

Robert Greene

This book is a contemporary companion to Sun-tzu's 'The Art of War'. It synthesizes strategies from various political, philosophical, and religious texts across world civilizations and thousands of years of conflict. Each chapter outlines an approach to help readers win their life's wars, using illustrative examples from history, such as Lyndon Johnson, Julius Caesar, and Margaret Thatcher. The book provides psychological ammunition to overcome patterns of failure and gain the upper hand in various situations.

#18

• Mentioned in 294 episodes

Good to Great

Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't

Jim Collins

In 'Good to Great,' Jim Collins and his research team investigate why some companies achieve long-term greatness while others do not. The book identifies key concepts such as Level 5 Leadership, the Hedgehog Concept, a Culture of Discipline, and the Flywheel Effect. These principles are derived from a comprehensive study comparing companies that made the leap to greatness with those that did not. The research highlights that greatness is not primarily a function of circumstance but rather a result of conscious choice and discipline. The book provides practical insights and case studies to help businesses and leaders understand and apply these principles to achieve sustained greatness.

#110

• Mentioned in 125 episodes

Mastery

Robert Greene

In 'Mastery', Robert Greene argues that mastery is not an innate talent but a skill that can be developed through a rigorous process. The book outlines several key stages: finding your life's task, undergoing an ideal apprenticeship, finding the right mentor, acquiring social intelligence, and fusing intuitive with rational thinking. Greene draws on the lives of historical and contemporary masters such as Mozart, Einstein, and Temple Grandin to illustrate his points. He emphasizes the importance of deep practice, self-directed learning, and the ability to read and navigate social dynamics. The book challenges the conventional notion of genius as a genetic gift and offers practical steps for anyone to achieve mastery in their chosen field.

#197

• Mentioned in 84 episodes

The Prince

Niccolo Machiavelli

Written in the early 16th century, 'The Prince' is a realistic instruction guide for new rulers. Machiavelli argues that an effective leader must be skilled in the art of war, sometimes cruel, and willing to use deception and manipulation to achieve political goals. The book is divided into chapters that discuss various types of principalities, how to acquire and maintain power, and the qualities a prince should possess. Machiavelli uses historical examples, including the career of Cesare Borgia, to illustrate his points. The treatise emphasizes the importance of maintaining the goodwill of the people and the stability of the state, even if it means deviating from traditional virtues. 'The Prince' remains a controversial but influential work in modern political philosophy.

• Mentioned in 380 episodes

The obstacle is the way

Ryan Holiday

In 'The Obstacle Is the Way', Ryan Holiday presents a framework for turning obstacles into successes. Drawing from the philosophy of Stoicism and the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday outlines three disciplines: perception, action, and will. He illustrates these principles with historical anecdotes from figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs. The book emphasizes the importance of perception in shaping one's response to obstacles, the need for intentional and creative action, and the cultivation of will to persist through challenges. Holiday argues that by adopting these Stoic principles, individuals can transform their obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.

#234

• Mentioned in 74 episodes

The Laws of Human Nature

Robert Greene

In 'The Laws of Human Nature,' Robert Greene delves into the complexities of human behavior, identifying 18 laws that govern our actions and motivations. Drawing from historical figures such as Pericles, Queen Elizabeth I, and Martin Luther King Jr., Greene provides insights into how to detach from emotions, master self-control, develop empathy, and see beyond people's masks. The book is designed to help readers become better judges of character, manage their thought patterns, and influence others more effectively. It emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and understanding one's own flaws to make better decisions in personal and professional life.

#30

• Mentioned in 239 episodes

The 48 laws of power

Robert Greene

In 'The 48 Laws of Power', Robert Greene and Joost Elffers synthesize three thousand years of the history of power into 48 laws. These laws are derived from the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and Carl Von Clausewitz, as well as the lives of influential figures such as Henry Kissinger and P.T. Barnum. The book provides tactics, concepts, and lessons on how to achieve and maintain power, emphasizing prudence, confidence, and self-preservation. Each law is illustrated with historical examples and is designed to help readers understand and navigate the dynamics of power in various aspects of life, including work, social hierarchies, and politics.

#790

• Mentioned in 32 episodes

The 50th law

50 Cent Staff

Cristina Pizarro Mato

Robert Greene

50 Cent

The 50th Law is a semi-autobiographical account of 50 Cent's life, combining his experiences as a young hustler and musician with lessons and anecdotes from historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Sun Tzu, and Malcolm X. The book focuses on the principle of fearlessness, illustrating how embracing and overcoming fear can lead to success in both personal and professional life. It is divided into ten chapters, each exploring a different aspect of fearlessness and how it can be applied to achieve one's goals.

👉 Join our private community for operators, marketers, and creators (waitlist)

⚡️ BTS & more

In this episode, I sit down with Robert Greene, bestselling author of The 48 Laws of Power, to break down the timeless strategies of power, seduction, and human psychology that drive success in business and life. We dive into:

- Why concealing your intentions and talking less creates an aura of power - Never outshining the master and how reputation translates directly into capital - The dangerous allure of free and why formlessness beats rigidity in business - What your twenties should actually be about - Robert's new book and his near-death experience that shaped it

This conversation goes deep into human nature, strategic thinking, and what it really takes to build power that lasts. Enjoy!

00:00:00 Trailer

00:01:24 In Power and Business, Is Honesty Really the Path to Success?

00:04:47 The Power of Concealing Intentions.

00:06:04 How Does Silence Become Leverage?

00:09:37 You Are Never Being Who You Really Are.

00:11:20 Can Somebody Win in Life Without Being Malleable?

00:17:51 What Are Some Strategies to Get People to See You Differently? (American Apparel Story)

00:21:03 Are There Dangers to Chasing Too Much Attention?

00:24:17 Is It Better to Be Slandered Or Ignored Completely?

00:26:41 If Your Reputation Gets Ruined, Can That be Built Back? (Jimmy Kimmel)

00:28:54 Reputation is Capital.

00:32:00 Never Outshine Your Master.

00:43:48 Why is Free The Biggest Mistake in Business?

00:47:48 When Asking for Help, Appeal to People's Self Interest.

00:50:57 Sports Talk With Robert Greene

00:53:52 What is the Single Most Important Skill to Master?

00:55:46 What Should Your Real Goal Be in Your 20s?

01:00:18 When Do You Need to Know Your Purpose in Life?

01:03:41 Money Isn't Just Money. What Do You Mean by That?

01:06:10 Which Strategy of Seduction is Most Effective in Business?

01:07:46 Quickfire Questions

🔗 Links Mentioned (Affiliate)

🎙 Guest: Robert Greene

Instagram | X | Website

📬 Get in Touch

Instagram | LinkedIn | Website | info@openresidency.com | Book a call

🎯 Powered by Universal Ads by Comcast CTV

Claim $500 credit | Learn more

Home Top podcasts Popular guests Top books