The 48 Laws of Power: A Guide to Winning at Life, or Just Being That Guy at the Party?

Ah, the 48 Laws of Power. That infamous handbook for world domination that makes Machiavelli look like a motivational speaker. Written by Robert Greene, it’s the kind of book that feels equal parts genius and evil. If you’ve read it, congratulations—you’re either plotting world domination, wondering if you should plot world domination, or just like the idea of sounding mysterious in a coffee shop.

But here’s the real question: Does this stuff even work anymore? In a world that preaches authenticity and "being your true self," where does scheming your way to power fit in? Let’s put on our philosopher hats, sip our overpriced oat lattes, and have a little fun questioning whether the 48 Laws are your ticket to "winning at life" or just... being exhausting.

Law 1: Never Outshine the Master

Sure, this sounds smart in theory. Don’t upstage your boss, let them have their moment, etc. But can we pause for a second and acknowledge how fragile this master sounds? If Karen from accounting can’t handle you solving a spreadsheet problem without feeling threatened, maybe Karen isn’t cut out to lead. Should we really dim our light just to avoid bruising someone else’s ego? Or is Karen just an overcaffeinated imposter trying to cling to her cubicle throne? Discuss.

Law 3: Conceal Your Intentions

Greene says, “Don’t let people know your plans.” And I say, “What plans?” Most of us are just trying to figure out what to eat for dinner tonight, let alone orchestrate some master scheme. Besides, in the age of oversharing, hiding your intentions is basically illegal. You’ve got Instagram stories, LinkedIn posts, TikToks—by the time you’ve “concealed your intentions,” your best friend has already live-streamed your thought process.

Also, is withholding your dreams from people really the way to "win at life"? Or is that just a lonely way to eat popcorn on a Friday night? Asking for a friend.

Law 6: Court Attention at All Costs

This one really hit its stride in the influencer era. Greene would probably love TikTok. “Court attention at all costs” has essentially become “Post a video of yourself dancing in a grocery store aisle for clout.” But here’s the kicker: Does attention really equal power, or does it just equal burnout and questionable brand deals?

Sometimes, courting attention just feels... exhausting. Can I get a round of applause for being low-key and minding my business? Greene might call that a missed opportunity. I call it maintaining my sanity.

Law 15: Crush Your Enemy Totally

Relax, Voldemort. What happened to healthy boundaries and emotional intelligence? Do we really need to "crush" anyone, or can we just, I don’t know, unfriend them on Facebook? Crushing people is so much work—and frankly, it feels a little unnecessary when you could just take a nap instead.

Also, who even has enemies anymore? Most of us barely have time to do laundry, let alone keep track of who wronged us. Let’s bring back forgiveness and leave "enemy crushing" to the medieval knights.

The Philosophical Question: Is Authenticity Still Relevant?

Here’s where things get interesting: The 48 Laws are all about power, manipulation, and crafting an image. But what if we’ve entered the Age of Authenticity, where power looks less like scheming and more like showing up as your messy, vulnerable self?

But wait—does authenticity actually make you win at life? Or does it just make you look relatable while someone else is quietly playing 3D chess behind your back? It’s hard to tell sometimes. Being your "true self" sounds wonderful, but what if your true self is bad at winning? What if Karen from accounting read the 48 Laws and is currently outmaneuvering your authentic little heart while you post about your morning gratitude practice?

What Really Makes You Win at Life?

Here’s the thing: Life isn’t a board game. There’s no single “win condition.” Sure, the 48 Laws might make you feel like you’re assembling your villain origin story, but do you really want to live that way? Imagine being on your deathbed thinking, “Well, at least I crushed my enemies totally.” Yikes.

Maybe winning at life isn’t about power at all. Maybe it’s about connection. Or kindness. Or finding joy in little things, like finally getting your sourdough to rise. (Or maybe it’s just about not reading too much into self-help books.) Whatever it is, life’s too short to spend all your energy “playing the game.” Sometimes, the best way to win is to stop keeping score altogether.

Final Thought: Don’t Take It Too Seriously

Here’s my hot take: The 48 Laws of Power is like pineapple on pizza—some people swear by it, some people find it offensive, and most of us are just here for a good meal. It’s a fun, dramatic read, sure, but maybe the real power move is learning when not to take yourself too seriously. After all, authenticity might not make you a master manipulator, but it might just make you happy.

And isn’t that the real win? ??

#Leadership #Strategy #Authenticity #WomeninTech