7 Rules of Power Paperback – April 27, 2023

This book is an eye opener for someone who thinks “ our work speaks for itself “ . Very well written . Loved it.

I own several of Pfeffer’s other books, all infused with the goal of making corporations and workers better off by means of data. But I have to give this book one star because its message is extremely destructive-- for the striving individual, for her peers, and for the betterment of the corporation.In 7 Rules Pfeffer takes data from the social sciences about human blind spots and fallacious thinking (for instance, that people tend to judge the first person who speaks in a group as more intelligent; ditto for people who don’t smile). Instead of exposing these as irrational misconceptions, as he did about leadership qualities in Leadership BS, he goes full Machiavelli and recommends the reader capitalize on them as a way to get power. He is unapologetically agnostic about what people should do once they achieve power. Pfeffer wants to level the power playing field for women and minorities in a kind of “you can only beat ‘em by joining ’em” program.I don’t think this path is feasible for most people. It also would exacerbate the current political hellscapes typical in many large companies, hurt profits and make the rank and file as miserable as ever. Moreover, there is a better way to get ahead--- by empirical means!--as I’ll explain at the end.Remember: Even Pfeffer does not claim that people who follow these rules are more deserving of power. The book should have been titled “BS Ways of Getting Power”The data Pfeffer cites shows how perilous the idea is of breaking rules (his second rule): “Research shows that people form impressions of others, often precise assessments of personality, very quickly, using “thin slices”—just a few seconds of behavior. Research also demonstrates that even these quickly formed first impressions are surprisingly durable [he goes on to say this is called Confirmation Bias, and it is well-known in the literature]. (p66)So you’ve just been hired, you’re waiting for your first Zoom meeting, and your face is seen by others who, within a few seconds, form biases about you. More data show that if you’re older, female, a person of color, unfriendly looks and rule-breaking don’t go down well.Pfeffer’s stories involve Stanford graduates with elite degrees, so that slim minority could play this card—also irrelevant to the worth of the person being promoted.If you’re worried about your job to pay the mortgage, this is a dangerous game because confirmation bias that you’re “trouble” will dog you.Pfeffer, a lifelong academic, has not been in a corporation where people used these political devices to get ahead. Anyone who experiences it know how annoying and exhausting it can be, leading to a pervasive sense of unfairness “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” People know this is BS even if it is not called out.But let’s say you do follow all these rules, are ruthless (make friends only to get ahead, lie, never back down, ensure no one can succeed you very easily so you can stay on top), what or who have you become? Pfeffer cites two powerful people who have used these techniques, both who have by many accounts done enormous damage. Pfeffer claims powerful people are happier than those below—yes, being the oppressing force is probably a happier place vis a vis your hapless underlings, although it does not sound like a recipe for anyone’s greatest happiness.Corporations need to be more strictly empirical, less political! How do you do that? Like a scientist, looking for ways to reduce bureaucracy through pilot testing of ideas, figuring ways to do double-blind evaluations of others, and show everyone that our deep irrational “rules of power” don’t make for good leaders.

Robert Greene definitely has a comprehensive understanding of power dynamics. The seven rules can offer valuable lessons on how to navigate the complexities of power. However, he promotes ideas like the fact that people will forget the questionable means one might employ to attain power once it is achieved. While this may be true, it contradicts my personal belief in the importance of ethical behavior and moral values.Promoting these behaviors as a path to success is quite unsettling.