Amanda Penn, Author at Shortform Books

The Talleyrand-Napoleon Alliance: 7 Lessons for Keeping Power

Who was Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord? And how did the aristocrat manage to remain a powerful French diplomat and politician after the French Revolution brought down the monarchy? In particular, what can we learn by analyzing the Talleyrand-Napoleon relationship? The Talleyrand-Napoleon relationship was a complex one. Napoleon didn’t trust Talleyrand, but Talleyrand was too good an aide to give up. We’ll cover the 7 lessons about maintaining power we can learn from analyzing the Talleyrand-Napoleon relationship and Talleyrand’s canny diplomacy strategies.

48 Laws of Power | Law 7: Get Others to Do the Work for You, but Always Take the Credit

Overview of Law #7: Get Others to Do the Work for You, but Always Take the Credit Get others to do the work for you, but always take the credit. Use their skill, time, and energy to further your ambitions while taking full credit. You’ll be admired for your efficiency and accomplishments, while your helpers will be forgotten.

Law 16: Use Absence to Increase Respect and Honor (48 Laws of Power)

Overview of Law #16: Use Absence to Increase Respect and Honor Once you’ve become well-known and admired, use absence to increase respect and honor. The more you’re seen and heard from after a certain point, the more you cheapen your brand. People will lose interest and respect for you. But if you make yourself scarce for a while, you’ll renew people’s respect and appreciation.

48 Laws of Power | Law 10: Infection: Avoid the Unhappy and the Unlucky

Overview of Law #10: Infection: Avoid the Unhappy and the Unlucky People who are perpetually miserable spread misery like an infection, and they’ll drown you in it. Avoid these people like the plague. Conversely, if you associate with happy people, you’ll share in the good fortune they attract and spread. Seek them out. Infection: Avoid the unhappy and the unlucky.

48 Laws of Power | Law 22: Use the Surrender Tactic: Transform Weakness into Power

Overview of Law #22: Use the Surrender Tactic: Transform Weakness into Power Surrendering can be a tool of power. When you’re weaker, surrender rather than fighting for the sake of honor. This gives you time to build strength and undermine your victor, while you wait for his power to weaken. You’ll win in the end. You can transform weakness into power.

48 Laws of Power | Law 6: Create an Air of Mystery

Overview of Law #6: Create an Air of Mystery We judge everyone and everything by appearances; what we can’t see doesn’t count. Make sure you stand out from the crowd. Create an air of mystery. Portray yourself as larger, more mysterious, and more exciting than anyone around you.

48 Laws of Power | Law 2: Never Put Too Much Trust in Friends

Overview of Law #2: Never Put Too Much Trust in Friends; Learn How to Use Enemies Keep a close eye on your friends — they easily become envious and resentful, and will undermine you. In contrast, if you promote an enemy, he’ll be more loyal than a friend in an effort to prove himself. So use your enemies. If you lack enemies, you should create some. Never put too much trust in friends. Learn how to use enemies.

Law 4: Always Say Less Than Necessary (48 Laws of Power)

Overview of Law #4: Always Say Less Than Necessary The less you say, the more intimidating and powerful you are. Always say less than necessary. When you do speak, make it vague and ambiguous, leaving the meaning to others to interpret. They’ll be frustrated and obsessed with trying to figure you out.

The 48 Laws of Power List: Complete, Organized, and Explained

What is the 48 Laws of Power list? How can I become more powerful in my life and work? What are the secrets to success? The 48 Laws of Power list is a list of ways to become more powerful, from Robert Greene’s book The 48 Laws of Power. Read on to learn how to use the 48 Laws of Power list to use your enemies, keep others dependent on you, say as little as possible, take credit for others’ work, and control all the options. You can choose to apply or dismiss these rules – but you can’t escape them.

Master Your Emotions: The Secret Source of Power

6 Common Signs You Are Suppressing Your Emotions

How can you master your emotions? How can mastering your emotions increase your power? You’re more powerful, in work and in life, when you learn to master your emotions and stay calm and level. Read on to learn how mastering your emotions can contribute to your success and magnify your power.