I am just Courtier and did not follow law 24
I got so many enjoyments to read Robert Greene books and I bought all series of his book. I love laws 24 the most and it seemed that it explained and solve with a lot od misunderstanding and emotions of me.
The story began with 6 years ago and I met my mentor and she is senior and maybe 10 years old than me. I worked with her so long and it seems that I learnt so much things from her. Such as leadership, integrity, cooperation and how to deal with conflicts…….I were in the comfortable zone so long and I love her leadership style and everything till one day, I must say goodbye to her.
I was forced to move out from her team. I was totally devasted and felt so scared. Especially, I also deal with work bully in my work. It was so much emotions mixed and she also need faced death and a lot of issue in her family.
I used to misunderstand that I am her close friend and I can trust and rely on her. In some period, when I were not very well in my mental and I felt that I were so crazy with a lot of message and gifts to her.
Till one day, she told me that it is too much. I guess that it is too much emotion burden and too much intimacy and gifts. It made like burden for her. She also was my manager too.
After long time, nearly 1 year, I read large number of self-help books and self-development books, I still didn’t find answer fully. I also felt that I were in some misunderstand valley so long and be trapped inside emotions. I cared her so much and even can felt her emotions……But she moved on with her new team. Sometimes, I felt that all past memory disappeared in history.
I used to think that we are good friend and can share with our emotion and heart. I put my truly heart and emotions in the past.
But from subtle observation, it was all my imagination and my obsession was sick, misery emotions.
Till I read Robert Green law 24 and I were be waked by this sentence.
Don’t get overly familiar with your boss: Your boss typically wants a subordinate, not a friend. Never act if you are on the best of terms—-That is his prerogative.
If he acts friendly toward you, reciprocate, but warily. Otherwise, assume a formal manner.
From observation, it is truly showed that I am just subordinate, probably one of most ordinary subordinate. She has her allies to socialize, especially her same class level. That is her prerogative.
I misunderstand my position as subordinate to her class and prerogative level. How silly it is and how bad mistakes.
But I told myself that I am not ordinary and little pawn. I will stand up by my own and write down my own rules and became more smarter, wiser and stronger.
Law 24: Play the Perfect Courtier (48 Laws of Power)
I will use this as guidance in my workplace.
This article is an excerpt from the Shortform summary of “The 48 Laws of Power” by Robert Greene. Shortform has the world’s best summaries of books you should be reading.
Overview of Law #24: Play the Perfect Courtier
Courtiers of old were often masters of manipulation, expert at working their schemes within specific rules of behavior required in court. Learn from the courtiers’ failures and successes and how you can play the perfect courtier, and you can rise in any system.
Principles of Law 24
According to Law 24 of the 48 Laws of Power, to thrive in whatever court or environment you’re playing for power in, learn the rules and know how to manipulate them. Even in modern times, a skilled courtier or functionary who can successfully navigate and thrive in the world of power has great power himself. There’s much you can learn about how to play the perfect courtier from studying courtiers of the past.
The laws that governed court politics in the days of kings remain applicable today. Here are a few:
Don’t brag: Bragging about your achievements stirs up resentment among your peers, as well as backstabbing.
Appear mellow and laid-back: When you’re working hard, make it look easy so people admire your capability.
Be judicious with flattery: Flattering your superiors too much stirs up suspicions about what you want. Employ subtle flattery, for instance by downplaying your talents to make your superior look good.
Be noticed, in a good way: This is a tricky balancing act. You want to be noticed without seeming to promote yourself. If you’re not noticed, you’ve no chance to become more powerful. Adopt a distinctive style, but don’t go overboard.
Adjust your style: Adjust your style and way of speaking to fit the occasion. If you can’t adapt to other cultures and circumstances, you’ll be ineffective.
Don’t be the bearer of bad news: The cliche about the recipient of bad news killing the messenger is valid. Do whatever you have to to shift the responsibility for delivering bad news to a colleague.
Don’t get overly familiar with your boss: Your boss typically wants a subordinate, not a friend. If he acts friendly toward you, reciprocate, but warily. Otherwise, assume a formal manner.
Don’t directly criticize a superior: Sometimes you need to share negative feedback to avoid backlash later. But do it as indirectly and gently as possible.
Rarely ask superiors for favors: Ask for favors only rarely because having to reject a request will stir guilt and irritation. Try to earn your favors, so your boss grants them without your asking.
Don’t joke about appearance: Never joke about your superior’s appearance or taste, even outside her presence. It will come back to bite you.
Don’t be a critic: If you always criticize, you’ll draw criticism in return. Conversely, when you credit others’ achievements, you’ll draw attention to your own.
Be self-aware: Learn to see yourself as others are likely to see you, so you can avoid behavior that others might find offensive.
Control your emotions: Like an actor, learn to disguise your real feelings and produce whatever emotion is required. Control your facial expressions too.
Keep up with the times: You don’t want to seem like a relic, but don’t push the boundaries of new styles and expressions either.
Be a joy to be around: Be pleasant so that others enjoy being around you. If you can’t be thoroughly charming, at least minimize your less stellar qualities.
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