Three Fundamental Laws of Power & Influence Historical lessons and tactics that drive leadership success… Austin Business Journal (ABJ) Smart Series May 11, 2016
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Three Fundamental Laws of Power & Influence
Historical lessons and tactics that drive leadership success…
Austin Business Journal (ABJ) Smart Series May 11, 2016
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Paradise Lost
Pursuit of quality…Malcolm Baldridge Award
Surrounded by key advisors
The Baby Blues
Violated the Laws of Power & Influence =
Resignation
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Why understand the Laws of Power & Influence?
Life requires it…
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Why understand the Laws of Power & Influence?
Careers require it…
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A career spent observing and using the Laws… • Leadership and management development
• Executive Assistant • Executive Succession Planning
• Global Skills Leader • Entrepreneur / Business Leader Mentor
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In appreciation…(great reference!)
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Why you should care about The Three Fundamental Laws of Power & Influence
1. See it coming & protect yourself
2. Learn to use it for your life & career success
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The Three Fundamental Laws of Power & Influence are…
1. When asking for help, appeal to people’s self-interest, never to their mercy or gratitude
2. Do not build fortresses to protect yourself – isolation is dangerous
3. Assume formlessness
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Why Power & Influence fascinates
As children we admire leaders…
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Why Power & Influence fascinates As adults we admire leaders…
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Our FIRST Fundamental Law of Power & Influence
When asking for help, appeal to people’s self-interest, never to their mercy or gratitude
Castruccio Castracani 14th Century
Lord of Lucca, Italy
Castracani felt that he “owed” the people who helped him acquire power.
And he didn’t like “owing” anyone…
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Law of Power & Influence #1
When asking for help, appeal to people’s self-interest, never to their mercy or
gratitude
Lessons from history… ! Past debts carry an obligation ! Gratitude is often a terrible burden
Lessons for today… ! There is an art to asking for help…do not confuse your needs
with theirs ! Appeal to their self interests and do not be subtle
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Developing Power & Influence Skills
" Master your emotions • Anger clouds vision and causes ripple effects
• Love and affection blind you to self serving interests
" Distance yourself from the present moment • Think objectively about the past – learn from those before you • Think objectively about the future – so you’re not caught by
surprise
" See “circumstances” rather than good or evil • Remember…Power is a game
• Do not judge your opponents by their intentions but by the effect of their actions
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Our SECOND Fundamental Law of Power & Influence
Do not build fortresses to protect yourself – isolation is dangerous
Ch’in Shih Huang Ti 221-210 B.C.
China’s First Emperor
Emperor Huang Ti hid himself so well that no one knew he died…
His ministers profited from this “secret.”
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Law of Power & Influence #2
Do not build fortresses to protect yourself – isolation is dangerous
Lessons from history… ! While designed to defend you, a fortress cuts you off from
help and flexibility ! It provides no protection and actually creates more problems
than it solves
Lessons for today… ! You must use your natural tendency to social interaction and
circulation ! Power is inevitably increased by contact with other people
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Power & Influence Tips…
• Half of your power & influence mastery comes from what you do not do and what you do not allow yourself to get dragged into
• Judge all things by what they cost you
• Develop the ability to study and understand people and their hidden motives
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Our THIRD Fundamental Law of Power & Influence
Assume formlessness
The Spartan way of life disintegrated after they conquered Athens.
Money has a way of changing things
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Law of Power & Influence #3
Assume formlessness
Lessons from history… ! Humans are constant creators of form with emotions
expressed through that form ! The forms that rigidify look like death and we destroy them
Lessons for today… ! First requirement of formlessness – take nothing personally ! Second, when faced with rigidity, allow the momentary victory;
by being formless and adaptable you take them off guard
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The Three Fundamental Laws of Power & Influence are…
1. When asking for help, appeal to people’s self-interest, never to their mercy or gratitude
2. Do not build fortresses to protect yourself – isolation is dangerous
3. Assume formlessness
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at’s
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cces
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YOU get to use Power & Influence
Let’s put what you’ve learned to use with some real examples!
Take a couple of minutes to think about, debate and determine which law applies to the following scenarios…
Ready?
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Which Law of Power & Influence?
Scenario #1 – Purchasing a car at a dealership
This is a well known situation of who has the greater level of power and influence. Even though you are the final arbiter because you choose and pay, the shifts begin to occur the minute you step onto the lot.
Which law assures that you’re in the drivers seat for this transaction…and why?
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Which Law of Power & Influence?
Scenario #2 – High visibility project
Your company has just acquired a high visibility contract that includes a major project that will deliver tremendous revenue.
You have the experience and the leadership for the project, yet you know your colleagues are competing as well.
Which law gives you the right level of visibility, power and influence…and why?
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Next steps
" Use your new Power & Influence SKILLS to: - see it coming and protect yourself
- use effectively in your life and career
" Master your emotions
" Distance yourself from the present moment and think objectively about the past & future
" See “circumstances” rather than good or evil
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Want to learn more?
Ask me about customized offerings!
" Seminars and workshops like this one, that creates greater leadership skills
" No cost, high return employee retention and engagement strategies to attract and keep GREAT employees
Connect with me: [email protected] or
512-986-7307 to talk about how to get started!
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Thank you! Chris Makell
Spark Of Brilliance Consulting www.ChrisMakell.com