It is important to note that whenever one executes different tasks, regardless of whether or not it points to business, one must do it gracefully and elegantly. Remember, people never want to see the flaws in your actions. And by carrying out your tasks in a way that seems flawless, will influence people to look up to you. Snefru who was an Egyptian pharaoh during the 4th Dynasty ruled like a god, elegant in every manner, thus resulting to his people believing in him and worshipping him as if he were a god.
Have you ever heard the phrase “Speech is great; but silence is greater” or “Silence is the ultimate weapon of power”? These phrases were coined up by Thomas Carlyle Charles De Gaulle, arguably two of the most powerful and wealthy men throughout history. When you lose or release the information you used in order to achieve your accomplishments, it raises questions. Thus lowering the way people view you. Take it from Lex Luther, Superman’s “nemesis”, from “Smallville”. He conceals all of his accomplishments to keep a competitive advantage over the information that he gathers. Silence is a gift that should not be taken for granted.
It is evident that most, if not all, human beings have the urge to point out their accomplishments and how they distinctly completed them. It is our nature to be praised and recognized with what we accomplish. This should be avoided at all times no matter how tempting it may feel. Beware of revealing your tricks and strategies to other people, for they may be used at your expense.
The main question that revolves around this law rests on ones perception of success and happiness. You may find yourself in the shoes of certain heroes. Always silent, always hiding their tricks up their sleeve. Is it worth hiding in solitude and keeping silent for the sake of absolute power over others? Or is it worth being open towards others regarding your accomplishments and how you executed them at the expense of gaining absolute power and control?
Submitted by:
Richard Gerhard B. Hahn
II BS Communications Technology Management
History 18, Section L
Prof. Andrea Jalandoni
22 comments:
applying this law is okay because humans want to excel in the things that they do. in addition to this, humans want to feel a sense of importance. it's a very pleasant feeling when people admire and marvel at you for your accomplishments.
i however, think that this law can be risky too if done in extreme. if all that people see is you having an easy time in getting things done, it might come to a point where they will want to bring you down. i believe we are all familiar with "crab mentality." when we see someone else on top or doing great things, some people might have the tendency to pull that person down. there can even be a greater risk of being attacked if the person who does so well does not appear to deserve his or her accomplishments. all these can be a result of envy, jealousy, etc. if one becomes too conspicuous because he does so well with little effort, then that person could easily be a target by other people.
i think that the society where this law is applied matters. people from different societies have their own set of views, perceptions, and beliefs. if a person does things effortlessly, some people might see this as greatness while others might see this as arrogance.
i think that this law needs to have a balance. and as long as you present yourself the right way, then i guess things will be alright.
-Philip Albert T. Verde
Hi18 K
To reply to the post and the comment above, I also strongly believe that culture and society should be taken into context when applying this law.
In modern-day Philippine society, I believe that this law cannot always be applied. Filipino culture gives central importance to displays of perseverance and hard work--sometimes to the extent of valuing showmanship over the final product or the result of the endeavor. Take politicians for example: Filipinos generally take pride in politicians' efforts and projects, often overlooking the practicality. Case in point: the P150,000 lamposts in Paranaque built by Mayor Jun Bernabe. The people of Paranque saw this as an act of showmanship, and sadly, also associated his "efforts" with his capability as a leader, overlooking the fact that he obviously "overbudgeted" the project. (Come on, 150k for a single lamppost?) Sometimes, people place more emphasis on the efforts rather than the accomplishments themsleves.
However, I do believe that the law strongly applies to cultures such as the United States. Individualistic cultures tend to see "effortlessness" that results into greatness as a sign of great capability and strength. Martin Van Buren (the 8th president of the United States) exemplified this quality. He ruled America with such grace and effortlessness that he was often referred to as a "great magician" when he was president of the United States.
Chio Cebrero
Hi 18 L
i think chio brings a very good point on culture playing a huge role on how people will react to this law. but i do think that the US will appreciate a leader who shows HOW he got there. they like relating to those who had hard lives and built themselves up to be who they are. a rags to riches kind of story. i guess that's why they say people who do well in american idol usually have sad stories. some sickness that almost killed them. giving up your favorite horse. or something like that. just to gain the sympathy of the majority.
ocampo 18-k
I saw something negative about this law. Sometimes, making your accomplishments seem effortless is all because of arrogance and pride that the very essence of fulfilling that accomplishment is lost. People just have to be focused on why the accomplishment must seem effortless and according to Richard, that’s to conceal any tricks and strategies that can be used to your expense.
Mara Liboro
Hi18-K
This law reminds me of what my dad used to tell me: You don't have to go all out to prove yourself to people. If you're really as good as you know you are, then that greatness eventually oozes out of you. Coupled with patience and a modicum of pride to keep you going, little by little, people will start noticing you.
I guess this law justifies that "actions speak louder than words". In a company, for example, a good way to make your capabilities known is to exert yourself, but it's not by TALKING ABOUT what you do or what you can do...it's DOING what you can do and let your actions speak for themselves. At some point, your works will get what it rightfully deserves. I'm sure we students have experience that a whole lot.
Bottomline: Become invisible, but become visible in a calm and silent way.
Chua Rojas, Serica
Hi 18 - L
the capacity to do much more is sometimes intimidating. Superman can lift buildings, heck he can even spin the world in the opposite way and reverse time. What can't he do? His effortless execution is like him subtly saying, "this is nothing!" The ease by which he does his tasks increases the people's awe. For the purpose of comparison let's say I have Superman's strength, but I would have to show that I'm working my ass off.
Compared to Superman's effortless lifting of the boulder, I would be looking like my eyes were about to pop out from the stress. And let's say we both pull it off, we lift the boulders. Superman has created a distance, a barrier of invincibility with his effortless execution. I, on the other hand, have none...I look spent and just like some guy with above-average strength.
Denis Flores
Hi 18k
Indeed there is just something about mystery that draws us in. I do believe that there are quite a number of people who aim for perfection, and even more who admire perfection. We are always looking for the perfect friend, the perfect leader, the perfect mate. This law is a two-sided coin, one one face, perfection is admired and when people see you as flawless, they tend to revere you and put you on a pedestal, on the other hand, "the higher the pedestal, the harder the fall." When imperfections are revealed, creating a deviant from the perfect image projected, disappointment takes the place of admiration.
Elise Noelle Anne Lim
Hi18 Section L
I couldnt agree more. Making ones road to success seem effortless only goes to show how much better he is than those who had a harder time getting there. Just as well, it also disguises your methods, making them harder to decipher and manipulate against you by your opponents. A good example that comes to mind is Hannibal, the great general of Carthage. He came to be known as the greatest terror of Rome as his opponents were not able to figure out his weaknesses. In winning his battles practically with ease, he was able to leave the Romans awestruck, wondering what his secret really was. Slaughtering the Romans three battles in a row on their own turf, it could be said that Hannibals greatest strength came in his ability to keep the Romans guessing, trying to figure out his weaknesses.
-Angelo Mendoza, Hi18-L
As this is a “law of power,” I think it doesn’t have to be related to success and happiness. That’s not always the meaning of power...
Anyway, I think this is a great law since it tells about 1) how to make people look up to you; and 2) how you can become superior to others.
You should gain respect by doing something great, but that respect will be higher if people see that it was effortless for you. This is because people will think you can do more. I think the second thing this law tells about is how to be superior to others – by not telling them how you work. Of course, people will be curious as to how you did something great will little effort, but their curiosity should never be sated. Keep silent. They shouldn’t know, or they’ll be able to imitate your great deeds. This also helps in the way that it can boost your popularity. They have something they don’t know so they follow you and try to find out.
You don’t have to be alone to do all these. You just need to keep your mouth shut as much as possible.
Chris Macalinao
Hi18 – L
a lot of people try to make their accomplishments seem like nothing by downplaying much of their preparations.
An easy and commonly heard example is that of cramming. Have you ever had classmates or friends who tell everyone before the test how they didN't study for anything or simply crammed everything, but two days later, lo and behold, they were able to answer questions you could only have crazy-studied for in order to be able to answer them in the first place?...
monica ang, L
This is a very sensible law. It would be useful in a lot of situations. In basketball, for instance, once a team flaunts their abilities, the other teams would gain an advantage of knowing that particular team's assets; hence, enabling them to strategize and beat that team in the long run.
Monica Copuyoc
Hi18- L
Showing off is the easiest way to make your achievements seem cheap and also the quickest path for your rivals to pick up your strategies. When you become too much of a show off, the more your enemies would have the urge to pulverize you. They'll even be more merciless around you, thus could lead to your loss.
Gliza Marasigan
Hi18-L
A few number of people state that this law will noit hold effective in our country due to our culture. I agree with this statement, although it is important for us to balance our accomplishments without needing to boast and show of how we did it. Success and power comes in the form of accomplishing tasks gracefully and easily.
L
Philip and Chio have a point by saying that culture and society play a major role in applying this law. However, one might take into consideration where this law is applied. People who seem flawless in every aspect of their work and accompishments tend to attract people. Once people know how you accomplished certain tasks, the power of being flawless is stripped from your.
Richard Hahn
L
It's very tempting to lay out all of your accomplishments and achievements because I think everyone has an innate desire to be admired and praised. However, you might seem arrogant and boastful if you do so.
I'm not too keen on the effortless part of this law because if you make it appear that your accomplishments are done without any ounce of effort the more people might want to put you out of the limelight. Admiration might turn into envy and by excelling you might have dug your own grave. Balance is what is needed, don't make a fuss of how you were able to gain all of your accomplishments but you shouldn't make it appear that you didn't put in anything to attain them. People always admire a hardworking and preserving person.
Teri Marcelo
Hi 18-K
Accomplishments should definitely be flaunted and displayed over people. If they don't know how you achieved it then why will they assume that you are powerful? Power harnesses with ones achievements and if this is not shown to the public then what is the use of success?
Chua Rojas has a point in saying that one must not always go out front in order to prove themselves against people. When one works hard and accomplishes certain tasks, the certain individual is eventually looked up upon regardless of the fact of how he or she accomplished it.
Rich Hahn
L
Shear success does not only come in the form of achievements, but also in the way these achievements were done. I agree with the fact that you said that man craves for perfection and godlike grace found in mere mortal men. This law must be practiced whenever one tries to accomplish certain tasks.
Peep Warren
Hi18-L
I think this law has to find a balance between both sides. Besides this we must also take into consideration the idea that different societies have different cultures. This law might work at some places while fail at others. Overall, this law could be quite practical given the right time, place, and people it relates to.
Gianina R. Fortun
Section K
In this case, silence really is a virtue. To speak too much of your achievements will show arrogance--letting your deeds speak for themselves shows power, and the more your pyramids talk for you, the more people will hear from word of mouth.
Peep Warren
Hi18-L
Concealing the accomplishments may be disadvantageous to the person involved because he may not be recognized. And some people acknowledge success through fame and recognition especially in today's era where there are millions of competitors. With today's society, I think it is more advisable to just let others know because fame recognizes more power and control. Although, one should always be careful. Fame requires public scrutiny.
Czarina Kathryne Masagca
Hi18-L
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