Tweet

What Would Machiavelli Do

Written by: Andy Marken

Article Overview: Book by Fortune's Stan Bing

What Would Machiavelli Do

What Would Machiavelli Do by Stanley Bing -- HarperCollins Business, 10 East 53rd Street, NY, NY 10022 -- ISBN: 0066620112 -- 276 pages, January 2000

Reviewed by – G.A. “Andy” Marken, president, Marken Communications Inc, andy@markencom.com


Want to know what your MBA teachers never taught you? Want to know why all of the self-help books don’t work for you? Want to know how to survive -- even rise -- in the wicked world of business?

Stanley Bing gives you a generous dose of tongue-in-cheek reality. No, its not his real name but if you have walked the halls in the leading television network headquarters in the toughest market in the world -- New York City -- you’ve probably run into him and didn’t even realize it. And if you’re a regular reader of Fortune Magazine you’ve seen his silhouette and read his wit on a monthly basis for years.

First of all, he’s one of us and very successful at what he does. More importantly he’s learned how to survive and succeed in an industry that is highly mercurial. He does it by being a keen observer who seems to relish in watching ruthless, self-indulgent people who are intent on climbing the corporate ladder.

Bing has just the right blend of satire and truth in his writings. You’ll laugh a lot when you read his views of how Machiavelli would make his way in business today and at the same time you’ll recognize people who have done or do what he describes.

The rich and powerful executives aren’t smarter, faster or better looking than you are they are simply meaner. Take Al “Chainsaw” Dunlop for example. Sure he’s fallen out of grace as a management roll model today and you might say where did his ruthless actions get him but there’s a good answer. He sits in Florida, plays golf (probably daily) and shuffles his millions around sprinkling dollars where they will do him the most good.

Or take Enron’s Jeffrey Skilling. His firm paid significant salaries for the Dallas business area. They provided more than meaningful bonuses. They threw wildly lavish parties. Why?

According to Bing and his interpretation of Machiavelli that type of flourish to employees means you own them. And own them Skilling did right up until the bitter end.

Bing’s observations when you consider both men seem unfortunately accurate. Think of yourself. Never apologize for anything you do. When all else fails, treat truth in a flexible manner. You can argue that both will get what they deserve but for all of their financial “adjustments” of the corporate records the chances of them ever serving any real jail time seems highly unlikely if the track record for prosecution of white collar crime is any indication.

But these are the extremes of business life, not the norm. The norm can be Machiavellian as well and Bing gives you a road map to the top. If you have the courage and fortitude to follow his advice, he gives you a simple yet detailed plan to follow. All you need to do is leave kindness and decency behind. Seize the moment and tomorrow by the throat and use it to your advantage to earn the big money, power and title you deserve.

What Would Machiavelli Do is a fun, easy read about the business world we live in. He sheds light on the questionable practices you see around you every day and he does it in a way that makes you laugh and at the same time say, “I’ve known people who did that!” In a perceptive manner he’s able to show you how contradictory our work life is compared to how we’re told it should be.

Bing does a good job of shining a light on the dark underbelly of all of the bad parts of business. You’ll see examples of people you’ve met (hopefully don’t work for) in the book. You’ll recall instances where you’ve seen people manipulated, used and cast aside. You may even find times when you say to yourself that you did exactly what Machiavelli would do.

Take What Would Machiavelli Do advice with a grain of salt but the book is worth reading. In a black humor sort of way you’ll find the Bing’s writings ring true all too often and while his words may not be the road map you want to follow keep in mind …there are people out there who follow the path to the dark side.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed. More to the point perhaps there are times when you do what Machiavelli woud do and that as they say is not necessarily a good thing. Remember -- improving our business activities and environment begins with you!

########

Related Articles
  The Road to Wisdom
  member initiative
  Sales Leadership Excellence: How to Recruit & Retain More High-Producing Sales Leaders
  Five Principles of Effective Change Creation
  Change on Purpose

Article Tags:



Related Forum Posts
Re: 20 Reasons why you must be a reader - Hi Ideasuniversity, Yes, that's right. [i:1hrxjfh4]THE[/i:1hrxjfh4] Niccolo Machiavelli! In a letter to a friend he describes his daily routine at his country house during a period of exile. David H
Re: 20 Reasons why you must be a reader - Reading allows us to commune with the dead. [i:3dmeow1n]"When evening comes I return to the house and go into my study. Before I enter I take off my rough mud-stained country dress. I put on my royal and curial robes and thus fittingly attired I enter into the assembly of men of old times. Welcomed by them I feed upon that food which is my true nourishment, and which has made me what I am. I dare to talk with them, and ask them the reason for their actions. Of their kindness they answer me... I no longer fear poverty or death..."[/i:3dmeow1n] Machiavelli


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

The five pillars of internet marketing strategy

Improve E-mail: Avoid the Quicksand

How to Sell to the Price Driven Customer

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.