Law 12: Use Selective Honesty and Generosity to Disarm Your Victim; The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

Photo by Mubashir Ali

Have you ever been in a situation where you had to deal with someone who was difficult or demanding? Maybe it was a coworker, a boss, or even a family member. Whatever the case, you probably found yourself wishing that you had some way to disarm them and make them more agreeable.

Well, there is a way to do that, and it’s called the 12th law of power: “Use selective honesty and generosity to disarm your victim.”

The idea behind this law is that by being selectively honest or generous, you can create a sense of trust and goodwill that can make your opponent more susceptible to your influence.

For example, let’s say you’re in a business negotiation with a competitor. You want to disarm them and make them more likely to agree to your terms. You could do this by being selectively honest with them about your weaknesses. For example, you could admit that you’re new to the industry or that you don’t have as much experience as they do. This could make them feel more confident in their position and less likely to challenge you.

You could also be generous with your time and attention. For example, you could offer to answer their questions or to provide them with information tht they need. This shows that you’re willing to help them, which can make them more likely to help you in return.

Of course, it’s important to be genuine when using this law. If you’re not, your opponent will see right through you, and you’ll lose their trust. But if you’re able to be genuine and subtle, you can use selective honesty and generosity to your advantage.

Here are some additional tips for using the 12th law of power:

• Be selective. Don’t be honest or generous all the time, or your opponent will start to see through you. Instead, use these tactics sparingly, when they will have the most impact. For example, if you’re in a business negotiation, you might be selective about when you reveal your weaknesses or when you offer to help your opponent.
• Be honest about the things that matter. Don’t be afraid to be honest about your weaknesses or vulnerabilities. This can make you seem more human and relatable, which can disarm your opponent. But don’t be honest about everything! Only share the things that will help you achieve your goals.
• Be generous with your time, attention, and resources. This shows that you’re willing to give, which can make others more willing to give to you in return. For example, you might offer to help your opponent with a project or give them some of your time.
• Be timely. Timing is everything when it comes to using selective honesty and generosity. If you’re too early or too late, your tactics will be less effective. For example, if you’re in a business negotiation, you might wait until your opponent is feeling vulnerable before you offer to help them.
• Be subtle. You don’t want to be so obvious with your honesty and generosity that your opponent sees right through you. Be subtle and let your actions speak for themselves. For example, you might offer to help your opponent with a project, but don’t make a big deal about it. Just do it and let them appreciate your generosity.

By following these tips, you can use the 12th law of power to your advantage and disarm your opponents.

So, the next time you’re faced with a difficult or demanding person, remember the 12th law of power. By being selectively honest and generous, you can create a sense of trust and goodwill that can make them more susceptible to your influence.

I hope this article has helped you understand the 12th law of power and how you can use it to your advantage. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.