Sure, we can make a lot of connections and friends who can be great assets. But will they help you if it isn't in their interest to do so? Law 43 states that you have to 'seduce' others to move in your direction. We can't be selfish in dealing with people, even with our enemies. We must 'cozy up' to them, find the keys to their keyholes to enable them to help us.
A famous violator of this law is Marie Antoinette. Marie Antoinette, the wife of Louis XVI had a terrible ending to her almost fairytale life. She lived a very lavish life by thinking only of herself, not thinking about the cost or who would pay the bills of her jewels, dresses and masked dances. She didn't think about others. But eventually, the public found out about her questionable luxuries. She was put into exile. Marie Antoinette didn't work on the hearts and minds of others (she didn't do any queen-ly duties as well), so she got exiled, by guillotine.
But how do you work on the hearts and minds of others?
First, you need to deal with their individual psychologies. Never assume that people are all the same; they have different psychologies. To find the key that will motivate them, get them to open up, and from there, you can find out their likes and dislikes, the 'handles and levers' to move them with, and then you will maneuver people to your direction.
On a final note: always remember that the wider your support base is, the stronger your power.
Good luck.
Miguel Antonio Rojas Hi18O
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23 comments:
It is agreeable that in order to soften people up, one must realize the importance of acquainting one's self with individual psychologies because (it is true that) not all people possess the same likes, dislikes, beliefs, etc. since we all think separately and differently.
I think one of the factors that significantly accounts for this is the inevitable fact that we all come from different environments (and thus different historical contexts). Our preferences are historically related; the environment that we are rooted in silently molds our individual desires, fears, etc. Therefore, getting in touch too with the histories of the individuals one wishes to seduce greatly eases the technique of working on the hearts and minds of others.
Marcy Leonora Pilar
II - AB MEC
I agree with what you said especially since all of us humans have this desire for interaction. Defying such would be bad as it can leave you isolated and thus eventually leading to defeat.
Duey Guison
II AB PoS
It is agreeable to say a person is selfless and not egoistic. Many that are selfish produces enemies themselves. Thus, most of what they keep will get lost and stolen. Learn to deal with people, and what benefits them is the best way to soften them up and follow to your side.
The ability of dealing well with people is very essential in anyone's pursuit for power. One must know how to handle and associate with others depending on who they are. For instance, you know a powerful individual who was a crony before of Marcos. When you talk with him, don't mention the end of the martial law or the exile of the diposed leader but instead shower him with delightful topics like how great Marcos was and how disciplined we were back then. One must know how to gain the trust of others and in the end, they will be allies, people at your disposal.
Dexter Tanengsy
Hi18-N
It is somewhat a psychological attempt to lure people to your principles. Looking into their minds and into their interests gives you a glimpse of what ought to be done, according to what your people think.
For instance, you know a powerful individual who was a crony before of Marcos. When you talk with him, don't mention the end of the martial law or the exile of the diposed leader but instead shower him with delightful topics like how great Marcos was and how disciplined we were back then.
Great example of the individual psychologies of different people. A background check is a must whenever we go to a party/when we're talking to someone. You don't have to be a suck-up to them, you just have to understand and focus more on their 'weaknesses'.
Miguel Antonio Rojas
Hi18-O
In Marie Antoinette's defense, she wasn't properly groomed to be a good leader. Her mother just had too many children. :)
I agree with everyone. In order to gain any sort of power over an entity, you have to be able to push the right buttons.
But, you have to know where the line is drawn between SMOOTH OPERATOR and SYCOPHANT.
Camille Martinez
2 AB LIT (ENG)
Again, I repeat, It is helpful to gain generosity and favor from others, prevent egoism. Marie Antoniette never thought of others', as a result, her downfall. Everyone here agrees with this law, that I think, is a necessity for a leader to stay in power.
-Jedd Emille Chua, Hi 18 O
A background check is a must whenever we go to a party/when we're talking to someone. You don't have to be a suck-up to them, you just have to understand and focus more on their 'weaknesses'.
Nice job in metnioning background checks. Not only must you focus on their weaknesses, but a background check will also help you avoid mentioning things which may seem offensive to that person. Using the weakness of a person against them isn't the only way to manipulate people, but to charm them by praising their past achievements and avoiding sensitive issues about their life is also a great way to gain their favor, just like what a courtier does in law 24.
--Kamille Mercado
Hi18 sec:N
True but isn't a leader supposed to be one who is equipped with sturdy foundations and steady beliefs? How then can a leader be called as such if he/she always adheres to each and every subordinate that he/she has?
Alexius John Tejedor
II BS MIS
To be able to lure people to do what you want, it is important to penetrate deep into their beliefs and principles. I noticed that people like the feeling when someone makes him/her feel relevant.
In the case of Marie Antoinette, she was too immersed in her own personal indulgences that she failed to cater to the wants and needs of her own people.
Lexx Aquino
2 AB MA POS
HI18-O
nice point, Alexius John.
I believe working on the hearts and minds of others could be a sign of WEAKNESS!
Could anyone tell me when is "YOU" more powerful?
a. YOU working on the hearts and minds of others
b. OTHERS working on your heart and mind
:)
: Joanne Atineza N
Well, working in the hearts and minds of the others isn't really a sign of weakness, because someone is always better than you at the end of the day. The concept of working in the hearts and minds of others is a way to strengthen and maximize your support system.
Miguel Rojas
Hi18O
Lets face it. we need one another in a certain way or extent. We cannot reach the top without it, we cannot get power without it. We must believe that no one is an island, one man cannot fight a battle alone, it is not possible.
Luigi Ramirez Hi18-O
Delving into people's minds to find out weaknesses can be helpful but you should also be mindful of how that is done. After all one would rather have allies than enemies. Also, be careful. You'll never know who could be delving into your mind for the same reasons. Exercise subtlety so you don't come out as manipulative.
Delving into people's minds to find out weaknesses can be helpful but you should also be mindful of how that is done. After all one would rather have allies than enemies. Also, be careful. You'll never know who could be delving into your mind for the same reasons. Exercise subtlety so you don't come out as manipulative.
-Bianca Michaela Bes, Hi18-O
I agree with this law (and with most of those who replied here). It is important to try to 'butter up' others to get what you need. I don't think this is a sign of weakness, though.
We must accept that we won't always get what we want. We won't always be in control of everything. We must try to condition others and act accordingly to win their support. They will never open up to you, or even support you if they feel you do not even care enough to listen to them.
Eric Andres
HI 18 Section N
If you really are at the business of wielding power, you have to make a conscious effort to know the basics about a new acquaintance. For example, you are a politician hoping to gain as much support as you run for office in the upcoming national elections. If a leader of an important sector approaches you, you must at least know if she is for or against any important issue affiliated with you. Let's say you want to talk about capital punishment and how you plan to bring it back with the belief that it deters crime (which it doesn't), you don't want to go telling that to a humanitarian, or a volunteer for Amnesty International.
McCain, for example, would not try to win Ellen Degeneres' support by narrating to her his stand on gay marriages and his support for the exclusivity of marriage for a man and a woman.
Pia Angela J. Maske
II AB-MA Political Science
Hi 18, Section O
Law 33: Discover Each Man's Thumbscrew
This law is similar to the one I wrote about (Law 33), in the sense that you have to get acquainted first with your target before making any move. By learning something about your target beforehand, you gain the upper hand since you able to manipulate him or her psychologically. With a weakened mind, your opponent is sure to falter in one way or another much sooner.
Marvin Velasco
Hi18 N
To Miguel: I definitely agree with you when you said that working on the hearts and minds of others' purpose is to strengthen support systems. I believe in the importance of such.
To advance your goals, it is important to gain supporters that believe in you and your cause. To do this, one must show genuine interest in people, make them feel comfortable, form friendly relationships, and most of all, impress yourself to their innermost feelings. Aim for their trust while leaving a mark on their hearts and minds. Establish yourself as a friend to them. Make them realize that they are in the presence of an intimate. Such actions secure you an influence over others that is stronger than any other influence (for example, influence through force or deception) because it is gained with friendship and trust and your your people are willing to follow you.
Uhm, isn’t this law a bit deceptive?
Although it can be effective, I find it unprincipled and dishonest. I think its wrong to “work on the hearts and minds of others”, that is, to deceive them into supporting one’s aim or goal to stay in power. I mean, the law is implying that if one wants power or stay in power, especially in terms of other people to follow and listen to you, then one should let them hear the very things they want to hear and play with their psychies.
It also especially implies that one must be selfless in a dishonest sense in order to lure others to follow what he or she wants them to believe and do.
The law is almost saying that people are like cars. One just has to turn their ignition and drive or maneuver them into the direction one wants them to go, and also lead them to the very things that one wants them to believe. I think that’s really wrong.
Kira Gochuico
HI 18 N
Please comment on: LAW 17
Very effective for people with weak foundations of their stands and ideas. Very good tactic to get people to join you. And it depends on the communication skills of the power-getter. The better they persuade/negotiate/argue, the better the results. it is a cool way to get power as long as you don't offend people with your speeches.
Don Faylon
Hi18N
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