The 48 Laws of Power – Worksheet

Power & Appearances

Never outshine the master.

"Make those above you feel superior. The moment they sense you are more capable, you become a threat."

My reflection

In practice

In your next interaction with a boss, client or anyone with power over you, find one way to make them feel like the smartest person in the room. Ask for their opinion on something you already know the answer to. Credit them for an idea they contributed to. Notice how the dynamic shifts.

I will try this this week

Reflect

In your next interaction with a boss, client or anyone with power over you, find one way to make them feel like the smartest person in the room. Ask f...

Trust & Enemies

Never put too much trust in friends.

"Friends will betray you faster than enemies. Hire former enemies – they have more to prove."

My reflection

In practice

Review the people you currently rely on most. For each, ask: do they perform well because they are capable and motivated – or because they are comfortable? Identify one relationship where comfort may be masking underperformance.

I will try this this week

Reflect

Review the people you currently rely on most. For each, ask: do they perform well because they are capable and motivated – or because they are comfort...

Concealment

Conceal your intentions.

"Never reveal what you are working toward. People will try to block you the moment they understand your goal."

My reflection

In practice

Think of a current project or goal that others might have an interest in blocking or co-opting. Identify one person you have been too transparent with. Decide what information is genuinely necessary to share – and what can remain private without causing harm.

I will try this this week

Reflect

Think of a current project or goal that others might have an interest in blocking or co-opting. Identify one person you have been too transparent with...

Words & Silence

Always say less than necessary.

"The more you say, the more you reveal. Power comes from restraint. Silence makes others uncomfortable – and they will fill it."

My reflection

In practice

In your next important meeting or negotiation, set yourself a rule: speak only when you have something that genuinely needs to be said. Count how many times you speak out of habit, nervousness or the desire to fill silence. Then practise letting the silence sit for three seconds longer than feels comfortable.

I will try this this week

Reflect

In your next important meeting or negotiation, set yourself a rule: speak only when you have something that genuinely needs to be said. Count how many...

Reputation

Guard your reputation with your life.

"Reputation is the cornerstone of power. Once lost, almost nothing can rebuild it. Protect it before it needs defending."

My reflection

In practice

Do an honest assessment of your current reputation in your professional environment. What do people say about you when you are not in the room? Ask one trusted person to tell you honestly. Then identify one specific behaviour that might be undermining how you are perceived – and change it.

I will try this this week

Reflect

Do an honest assessment of your current reputation in your professional environment. What do people say about you when you are not in the room? Ask on...

Attention

Court attention at all costs.

"Everything is judged by its appearance. Never be invisible – obscurity is a slow death. Stand out, even if the attention is controversial."

My reflection

In practice

Identify one area of your professional life where you have been doing good work but staying invisible. What would it take to make that work more visible – not by self-promotion, but by creating something or taking an action that others naturally talk about?

I will try this this week

Reflect

Identify one area of your professional life where you have been doing good work but staying invisible. What would it take to make that work more visib...

Strategy

Get others to do the work, take the credit.

"Use the knowledge, effort and resources of others while keeping your own energy for strategy and vision. Never do yourself what others can do for you."

My reflection

In practice

List your current responsibilities. Identify one task that consumes significant time but could be done by someone else. What is stopping you from delegating it? Now identify what you would do with the time recovered – and whether that represents higher-value work.

I will try this this week

Reflect

List your current responsibilities. Identify one task that consumes significant time but could be done by someone else. What is stopping you from dele...