In the corporate world, power and influence are not just topics for Machiavellian scheming: they’re integral to the success of leaders navigating the intricate web of corporate politics and decision-making.

Robert Greene’s The 48 Laws of Power offers a framework for understanding these dynamics. Some laws align with acknowledged good leadership practices: Play to People’s Fantasies focuses on tapping into people’s dreams and aspirations to connect them to a sense of purpose. Disarm and Infuriate with the Mirror Effect involves subtly mirroring the tone or tactics of opponents to expose their flaws.

However, other laws stand in stark contrast to conventional management wisdom, such as the emphasis on benevolence and approachability. Below, we explore key laws and their parallels in the realm of Power Leadership.

Never Outshine the Master.

As a talented employee, you might feel the urge to showcase your abilities to gain recognition. However, this approach may backfire, creating insecurity and friction with those above you.

Instead, make those above you feel secure and superior. Avoid overshadowing your manager and focus on making them shine. Learn to swallow your pride when necessary. Yet, do not confuse loyalty with unwavering commitment. Power leaders know when to pivot strategically as circumstances shift, leveraging opportunities to their advantage.

Conceal Your Intentions.

Management literature emphasizes on transparency and trust to thrive in or transition to a leadership role. While these are valuable traits, blind transparency can be naive and easily exploited. Excessive openness can dilute authority.

Instead, Power leaders mask their true goals to keep others guessing. They never fully acknowledge their blind spots or weaknesses, maintaining a degree of ambiguity to protect themselves and avoid exposing vulnerabilities.

So Much Depends on Reputation—Guard It with Your Life.

Servant leaders focus on execution, removing obstacles, and prioritizing their team’s well-being and self-realization. As a result, they earn a reputation for being effective and appreciated as a doer.

Power leaders, however, actively manage their brand. Reputation is an integral part of their roadmap to success. And a hidden objective within their V2MOMs or OKRs. What power leaders may lose in tangible outcomes, they gain in perceived upper management perception of their authority and influence.

Be Royal in Your Own Fashion—Act Like a King to Be Treated Like One.

Conventional leadership theory advocates for humility and approachability. Admirable traits in theory. However, in the real world of business, humility often leads to being overlooked, and excessive approachability can diminish authority.

Power leaders know when to stand aloof. They surround themselves with high-performing individuals and minimize exposure to the “unhappy and unlucky.” They never ask for help; instead, they frame requests around mutual benefit. While they delegate, praise, and recognize others, they ensure they take credit when it matters most.

5. Keep Your Hands Clean.

Aren’t safety and vulnerability critical components of Daniel Coyle’s The Culture Code? Accountability resonates strongly with mid-level managers, who often take ownership for everything, including mistakes and flaws on their team members. However, over responsibility and over accountability can diminish authority and turn you into a scapegoat.

Power leaders distance themselves from messy or negative situations while maintaining control behind the scenes. They delegate difficult decisions or actions and carefully preserve their reputation and authority.

Servant leadership is for servant people. Power Leaders strike a balance between serving others and their own interest.

If you aspire to power, adhering strictly to conventional leadership practices is not enough. Power is not given; it must be taken. Greene’s laws mentioned above outline strategies that Power leaders consciously or unconsciously implement to succeed.

While the line is thin between power leaders and Liz Wiseman’s diminishers, Power leaders are not diminishers. They master the art of politics, not manipulation to elbow their way to the top.

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