48 Laws of Power: Law 7
Get Others to Do the Work for You, but Always Take the Credit
Law 7 from The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene is about using the wisdom, knowledge, and legwork of others to further your own cause. Not only does this save you time and energy, but it also gives you an aura of efficiency and speed. In the end, your helpers are forgotten and you are remembered.
- Leverage others’ expertise: Use what others have already built or discovered instead of reinventing the wheel.
- Appear supremely efficient: Outsourcing the legwork makes you seem more capable and productive.
- Take the spotlight: Contributors fade into the background while you gain recognition.
- Avoid unnecessary effort: Doing everything yourself is inefficient and limits your reach.
๐ง Historical Examples
- Peter Paul Rubens: Delegated parts of his paintings to a team of skilled artists, allowing him to produce more work and maintain his reputation as a prolific genius.
- Isaac Newton: Built on the work of others, famously saying, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants,” yet his own name overshadowed those he relied on.
- Thomas Edison vs. Nikola Tesla: Edison hired Tesla, used his innovations, and took credit for breakthroughs Tesla contributed to.
⚠️ Cautionary Note
While this law can be effective, it walks a fine ethical line. Misusing it can damage trust and reputation if people feel exploited. The art lies in subtlety and strategic positioning.
Want to explore how this law plays out in modern business or relationships? Or dive into another law from the book? Let me
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