Read the 48 laws of power— Law 9 Win Through Your Actions, Never Through Argument
Overview of Law #9: Win Through Your Actions, Never Through Argument
Arguing your point rarely changes anyone’s mind — even when you appear to win, you lose because you stir up resentment. A far better way of getting others to agree with you is to demonstrate your point without saying anything. People believe what they can see. Win through your actions, never through argument.
Principles of Law 9
What does it mean to win through your actions, never through argument? When you argue with someone, even if they seem to agree with you, you can never be certain they really do.
They may politely assent, while secretly resenting you. Or your choice of words may have offended them. In any case, people distrust words because they know you’ll say anything, including offering bogus sources and statistics, to bolster your case.
Winning through your actions, never through argument is more effective and powerful. Your target can see the evidence in front of her — there are no words to be misinterpreted. British architect Sir Christopher Wren knew the power of demonstration over argument. When he built a town hall for the city of Westminster, the mayor worried that the second floor would fall on his office below. Wren knew this was impossible, but instead of arguing he installed two more columns and the mayor was satisfied. Years later, workers on a high scaffold discovered that the columns weren’t touching the ceiling.
When you win through your actions, never through argument, you don’t make your opponents defensive, and they’re more open to seeing what you want them to see, and thus to agreeing with you.
Putting Law 9 to Work and story
Here’s an example of how to apply Law 9 of the 48 Laws of Power. Michelangelo understood the power of winning through your actions, never through argument. When he was carving the famous statue of David, the mayor of Florence took a look and told him the nose was too big. Michelangelo knew it only looked that way from the mayor’s perspective, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he gestured for the mayor to follow him up the scaffolding, where the artist pretended to be changing the nose. After a few minutes, he stood back and the mayor pronounced it perfect. But Michelangelo hadn’t changed it — he just changed the mayor’s vantage point, from which it looked fine.
Michelangelo knew that arguing with the mayor, who was a patron and a superior, would offend him and jeopardize future commissions. He won his point without arguing and without offending.
Exceptions to Law 9
Are there any exceptions to 48 Laws of Power Law 9: Win through your actions, never through argument? There’s one time when arguing is the right strategy — when you’ve been caught in a lie and need to distract others from your deception. In that case, argue strenuously and with conviction. The more emotional you get, the more likely people are to believe you.
The aristocratic con artist Count Victor Lustig practiced this technique. He scammed many people by selling a box that he claimed was a money-making machine. Usually, when it didn’t work, people were too embarrassed to report they’d been swindled.
But one victim, a sheriff, confronted Lustig. Lustig argued vehemently, with a lot of baffling terminology, that the sheriff must have damaged the box or used it incorrectly. He offered to give the sheriff back his money, plus written instructions, and promised to visit the sheriff and examine the box. Lustig handed over a hundred hundred-dollar bills and the sheriff departed satisfied. Later, however, he was arrested and convicted for passing counterfeit notes. Lustig won the argument and never heard from the sheriff again.
But in general, follow 48 Laws of Power Law 9: Win through your actions, never through argument.
What reflection with my work
It is clearly that you should not argue with your boss and your room leader. Because their power is superior than you. You also need build good reputation such as cooperation with boss and the leader. It is not worth to argue with some petty colleagues.
I learnt that I always support my leader and show respect of her. Whatever she said, I show attention to listen, to ask questions, to give credits for her, to respect her idea and suggestions, to work as flow in work, to not challenge their ego and their insecurity.
In one occasion, I remember that I have one project and my upline began to question further about detailed of project, I began to hold on and didn’t continue to that project. Because I can saw that she didn’t agree with it subtly.
Actually, she is very gentle leader who lack of self-confidence and allocated job to people. She listens to people with empathy. But she can’t have enough inner strength to solve with a lot of conflicts for subordinate.
Arguments with colleague
For this point, I have different views with Robert Green, I think that “Win Through Your Actions, Never Through Argument” with your boss and your superior, most of time with your colleagues.
Only few occasions, we need stand up to argue and fight our rights.
1, When the colleagues are psychopathic and narcissist and keep going to challenge you. But probably not argue, just short and strong to draw boundaries.
I learn some few statements to draw boundaries.
A, I am not engaged with conversation with you if you can’t show respect.
B, We agree with there is disagreement.
C, I appreciated your opinion, and I am capable of making my own decision.
D, I am what you are doing, and it is not what I feel, it is more than enough for me and then walk away.
My action against her arguments
2, I used to draw strong boundaries for one psychopathic colleague, she was out of control for her anger. I used my action to approve her points are wrong.
A, I have leader and different people want to work with me. There is no person who want to work with her. Only her clique group. This is why she become float.
B, She want to have more power and influence, no people listen her criticism. She had very low emotional intelligence and huge ego. She feels that she is superior than people and she did better than people. She always like to lecture people. No people need her lecture and I said to her directly and I have my own life and I don’t need her to lecture about what I am doing.
Actually, the conflicts are good and she know exactly and only cost is my inner weak and peak, I took long time to gain my inner strength and self confidence back from my work.
C, She cannot control her anger and her words and all her emotions, it has already proved that her stillness and low intelligence to read people. People who can’t not control their emotions and words are not worth respect.
Sometimes, it is quite hard when people show you’re their frustration and negativity towards you, you need keep clam.
D, She can social well and smile or charming from surface, but it is not deep connection and just try to gain allies. I also can see that social masks and it is quite interesting to just observe. It taught me another lesson that I need train myself to flow like water and look my mentor. She knew everything and she acted so friendly with everyone and there had no enemies in her kingdom. Only charismatic and high self-interests.
Arguments with Boss
I have one colleague and I remember that her characters are bossy and controlling. It also full of complains. She is close friends of S and they are similar type. Recently, she had huge arguments and fight with my boss over some policies and holiday. She tried to ask me go union and fight with. There are so dangerous points.
1, She try to drag people in dangerous arguments and fights between the boss and her. It is quite red flag for any silly people who will engaged or link with her.
2, She did another mistake which Robert said, never argue with Boss with heated argue. It is not important who is wrong or right in small things. I guessed that she will hurt my boss’ ego and self-esteem a lot.
If you are interested in reading more work reflection, pls read more
– StayHealthFit My work reflection toward Robert Green: Law 4 Always Say Less Than Necessary
My work reflection toward Robert Green: Law 20 Do Not Commit to Anyone – StayHealthFit
Read the 48 laws of power— Law 24—Play the Perfect Courtier – StayHealthFit
Reference: short form Robert green 48 laws of power
Law 9: Win Through Your Actions, Never Through Argument (48 Laws of Power) | Shortform Books
