The Corporate Machiavelli
Niccolo Machiavelli (1469 – 1527) was an astute observer of
political life in 16th century Italy. His most famous work, The Prince, is astonishingly frank and brash even by today’s
standards. Machiavelli was the ultimate
pragmatist when it came to political survival.
While Machiavelli has acquired a reputation for legitimizing
the unscrupulous, he really only described many of the characteristics of
powerful leaders. His observations about
leadership, human nature, and politics are still relevant. For Machiavelli’s Prince we can substitute vice president, CEO, or even manager.
No manager, for instance, can fail to identify with the maxim: “I
conclude, therefore, that no principality is secure without having its own
forces….” That observation rings true
for every project leader faced with a deadline and resources beyond his
control.
Managers thinking of advancement might heed this advice to
courtiers, ministers, and advisors: “…he who has the state of another in his
hands ought never to think of himself, but always of his prince, and never pay
any attention to matters in which the prince is not concerned.”
Machiavelli also could be a cheerleader as he sought to
inspire a prince to lead Renaissance Italy out of foreign domination. His words are as encouraging today as they
were 500 years ago. “…recall to yourself
the actions and lives of the men I have named.
And although they were great and wonderful men, yet they were men, and
each one of them had no more opportunity than the present offers…”
Therefore, in the spirit of The Prince, I offer these observations on survival in corporate America.
- Never depend on anyone or anything you do not
control.
- The only thing which happens by itself is confusion.
- Be patient with jerks. You may end up working for one.
- An ability to get a job done is valued more than brilliance.
- Learn your boss’s needs and address them. Your boss is not interested in anything
else.
- You will never get more out of a person by lowering
their self-esteem.
- Be generous with praise, sincere with criticism.
- If you don’t assign a date, it won’t get done.
- When assigned a project, show immediate progress.
- Nothing is simple.
- Nothing is so simple it can’t be screwed up.
- Success is built on planning, communications, and
shared responsibility.