Law 43: Work on the Hearts and Minds of Others
“Win others’ hearts and minds, and you’ll have them eating out of your hand. Play on their emotions and weaknesses, appeal to their self-interest, and they’ll willingly do what you want. Build broad support; someday you’ll need it. Neglect this at your peril.”
This law is all about gaining influence over others by appealing to their emotions and self-interest. When you can get someone to like you, trust you, and believe in you, they will be more likely to do what you want.
One way to work on the hearts and minds of others is to understand their psychology. What are their fears, desires, and motivations? Once you know what makes them tick, you can use this information to your advantage.
For example, if someone is afraid of failure, you can appeal to their fear by telling them that you believe in them and that you know they can succeed. If someone is motivated by money, you can appeal to their self-interest by offering them a financial incentive.
Another way to work on the hearts and minds of others is to use symbolic gestures. These are small acts of kindness or generosity that can go a long way in building goodwill. For example, you could send someone a handwritten note, buy them a coffee, or help them out with a task.
When you build broad support for yourself, you create a network of people who are willing to help you achieve your goals. This is especially important in times of trouble, when you may need their help to survive.
The 43rd law of power is a powerful tool that can help you gain influence over others. By understanding their psychology, using symbolic gestures, and building broad support, you can win their hearts and minds and get them to do what you want.
