The 7th Law of Power: Get Others to Do the Work for You, but Always Take the Credit

Mubashir Ali
4 min readJul 3, 2023

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Photo by Mubashir Ali

In his book The 48 Laws of Power, Robert Greene argues that one of the most effective ways to gain power is to get others to do the work for you, while you take all the credit. This may seem counterintuitive, but Greene explains that by delegating tasks to others, you free up your time and energy to focus on the most important things. You also build up a team of loyal supporters who will be grateful to you for giving them opportunities to shine.

Of course, it’s important to be strategic about delegation. You don’t want to just hand off any old task to someone else. Instead, you should choose tasks that are well-suited to the skills and abilities of the person you’re delegating to. You should also make sure to give them clear instructions and deadlines.

Another important aspect of the 7th law of power is to take credit for the work of others. This doesn’t mean that you have to lie or take credit for something you didn’t do. However, you should make sure that your name is attached to any successful projects or accomplishments. This will help you to build your reputation and gain the respect of others.

Of course, there is a danger of overstepping when it comes to delegation and taking credit. If you take too much credit for the work of others, you’ll eventually start to alienate them. They may feel like they’re not being appreciated, and they may eventually stop working as hard for you.

The key is to find a balance between delegation and taking credit. You want to make sure that you’re getting the most out of your team, but you also want to make sure that they feel valued and appreciated. By striking the right balance, you can use the 7th law of power to your advantage and gain a significant amount of power.

Here are some real-life examples of people who have successfully implemented the 7th law of power:

  • Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc., was a master of delegation. He assigned different tasks to his team members while maintaining tight control over the final product. However, he ensured that he was the face of Apple’s success, taking credit for the groundbreaking innovations produced by his team.

Steve Jobs was known for his demanding personality and his high standards. He would often micromanage his team members, but he also gave them a lot of freedom to innovate and experiment. He was always looking for ways to improve his products, and he was not afraid to take risks. Jobs was also a master of marketing and branding, and he knew how to make Apple products seem desirable and exclusive. As a result of his unique approach to business, Jobs was able to turn Apple into one of the most successful companies in the world.

  • Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur behind companies like SpaceX and Tesla, is another prominent figure who embodies the 7th law of power. Musk delegated tasks to his team members, allowing them to contribute their expertise to ambitious projects. However, he strategically positions himself as the driving force behind the accomplishments, often taking the spotlight during product launches and media events. This approach enables Musk to establish himself as a prominent figure in the space exploration and electric vehicle industries.

Elon Musk is known for his ambitious projects and his willingness to take risks. He is also known for his demanding personality and his long hours. Musk is not afraid to delegate tasks, but he always makes sure that he is kept in the loop. He is also very good at marketing himself and his companies, and he knows how to generate positive media attention. As a result of his unique approach to business, Musk has been able to achieve great success in a variety of industries.

Here are some tips for using the 7th law of power effectively:

  • Be strategic about delegation. Choose tasks that are well-suited to the skills and abilities of the person you’re delegating them to.
  • Give clear instructions and deadlines. Make sure that your team members know what is expected of them and when they need to have their work done by.
  • Make sure that your name is attached to any successful projects or accomplishments. This doesn’t mean that you have to take credit for everything, but you should make sure that your contributions are recognized.
  • Be mindful of overstepping. Make sure that you’re not taking too much credit for the work of others.
  • Create a culture of appreciation and recognition. Give credit where credit is due, and make sure that your team members feel valued and appreciated.

By following these tips, you can use the 7th law of power to your advantage and gain power and influence. However, it’s important to remember that this law is just one tool in your arsenal. It’s important to use it in conjunction with other strategies and to be mindful of the potential consequences of taking too much credit for the work of others.

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Mubashir Ali
Mubashir Ali

Written by Mubashir Ali

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