The 31st Law of Power: Control the Options; Get Others To Play With The Cards You Deal
The 31st law of the 48 Laws of Power states that “the best way to deceive people is to make them believe they have a choice, that they are the ones in control, when in reality you’re pulling all the strings.” This law is based on the principle that people are more likely to accept a situation if they feel like they have some control over it, even if that control is illusory.
How to Use the Law
There are a number of ways to use the 31st law of power. One way is to give people a false sense of choice. For example, you might offer them two options, both of which are actually in your favor. This will make them feel like they have some control over the situation, even though they really don’t.
Another way to use the law is to create a sense of urgency. For example, you might tell someone that they need to make a decision right away, or that the opportunity will disappear if they don’t act quickly. This will put them under pressure and make them more likely to agree to whatever you want.
Examples
Here are some examples of how the 31st law of power has been used in the real world:
- Henry Kissinger was a master of controlling the options. When he was negotiating with China, he would often give them a choice between two options, both of which were actually in his favor. This made the Chinese feel like they had some control over the negotiations, even though they really didn’t.
- Steve Jobs was also a master of controlling the options. When he was introducing new products, he would often create a sense of urgency by saying that the product was only available for a limited time. This would make people more likely to buy the product, even if they didn’t really need it.
Tips for Using the Law
- Be subtle. Don’t make it too obvious that you are controlling the options.
- Be flexible. Be prepared to change the options if necessary.
- Be patient. It may take time to get people to agree to your terms.
The 31st law of power is a powerful tool that can be used to manipulate people and get what you want. However, it is important to use the law carefully and ethically. If you use it wisely, you can gain the upper hand in any situation.
