Thursday, January 8, 2009

Law 11: Learn to keep people dependent on you

Everyone wants to have an ultimate power that can control others as one wish to. What makes you powerful is not your skill nor force but your ability to create a relationship of dependence. People can not get rid of you when they need you. When people extremely depend on you, even though they are on the higher position, you hold the power over all of them.

Although you have done something grateful to people and eventually hold power, you can not guarantee the power is totally yours unless you create a relationship of dependence. There are possibilities that you can be replaced by someone who is more skillful, younger, less expensive, and less threatening.

An example of this is the case of Count of Carmagnola. He was the bravest soldier who saved the town of Siena from foreign invasion. As he had grown powerful, he became greedy and threatening. This led him to death because there were so many soldiers who could replace him.

When Bismarck became a deputy in Prussian parliament, he didn’t ally himself with the powerful liberals but with the weak king, Frederick William IV. He made Frederick dependent on him to fight against the powerful parliament. Finally, Bismarck became minister who could control the military and the country.

Thus, in order for you to maintain the power, create a relationship with weak masters not with strong masters because they don’t find you because they are already strong. People usually depend on you whenever they feel that you can secure them. Thus, impress others that you are the only one to secure them and there are no substitutes.

Lee, Hae In
History 18 sec k

43 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree that people do depend on you when they feel that you provide them with security. However I think that though a strong leader should be able to provide that security to his people, he must also be smart and practical enough to recruit people who they can relegate specific tasks and assignments to. These are people that leaders too must DEPEND on. I feel that having someone else that you can depend on does not make you weaker, but it makes you smarter because if you know that you are not the best person to do a particular job, you can find someone who is.

Knowing people and reading them is another quality of a good leader. By learning to keep people dependent on you, you are keeping them hanging on to the fact that you are the one who can provide them with the most important things they yearn for like security and stability. The people under you also can provide you with a sense of security knowing that you can rest assured that the things assigned to them are taken care of.

Regina Yulo
Hi 18 L

Ria said...

Basic idea: If you're not needed, why will people keep you around?

Keeping people dependent on you makes you permanent. For example: convenience stores at highway gas stations. The prices for their goods are obviously overpriced, but if you're thirsty, and there's no where else to buy water, what can you do? You're forced to pay a price that you know is too much. The reason why convenience stores can get away with this is because they know that they're needed. If you're in the middle of nowhere and they're the only place with a bottle of clean water, you're in no position to demand. By making people dependent on you, you become the convenience store; sure, your customers may grumble and mumble as they pay your prices, but they still buy.

Ria Rigoroso
Hi 18 - K

Ria said...

To add:

However, if there are other stores that sell water at a cheaper price, no one will buy from you anymore, and you'll go out of business. You have to keep people dependent on you to keep them coming back to you.

Ria Rigoroso
Hi 18 - K

Unknown said...

I agree with both Ina and Ria in the sense that dependence is important and I am also enlightened by the fact that leaders need that sort of quality in order to attain power.

Common people depend on leaders [who have power] to enlighten and show them the way. One who has power immediately has an edge because he/she is looked up to. This is where dependence comes in. A leader is idolized and his/her beliefs become important to others.

Gia Fortun
Hi18 - K

Anonymous said...

It's a pretty straightforward and obviously useful law, I think. Like the rest have pointed out, the only people who last very long are those who have shown qualities or whatever that their people need or value. Like someone mentioned earlier, you don't have to be the ONLY one everyone can depend on (and it's not like you CAN be the only one, really. hahah)--you just have to have that certain something that people can find only in you (the ability to establish and maintain order and teamwork, for example). You've got to convince people that you are a significant, important, and, as much as possible, necessary figure in the scenario--they'll HAVE to have you around. Once you lose you that certain thing that gives you "value", you lose your position and power in the group.

kristina tan
hi18-k

Anonymous said...

i have to agree with the law. true power does not come from defeat because there is always going to be someone who has more power -- someone who is more capable, less threatening. However, if you show yourself to have something that no one else does then you become a resource -- a valuable asset instead of an ally. But i believe that it's more important to understand the mechanism that enables you to become an asset -- we must learn how to make ourselves one of a kind.

YOU have to be the ASSET -- YOU have to be the resource NOT merely the distributor or keeper of something else because whatever IT IS may be taken from you. it is, therefore, more important to know HOW to create the opportunity to make YOURSELF a resource.

but, like all kinds of commodities, one must also be crafty -- you have to make the situation last wherein you are important and indispensable.

let me explain-
the lightbulb wasn't meant to last forever -- there had to be a point wherein you had to change the bulb for a new one. that's how the bulb-producing companies continue to churn out a profit, right?
in the same way, One must find a balance between being Indispensable and eventually creating a situation wherein you become obsolete.

kyra ballesteros hi18K

Anonymous said...

since everyone's talking about how impt this law is (and i agree with all), i'll just bring up one of the problems/concerns of this law. it's extremely difficult to maintain that dependency without having someone steal it away from you. so, i think it's impt to choose what they'll depend on you for. make sure it's a one-of-a-kind thing. then, make sure to market it as a "basic necessity". just how the cellphone became big. at first, it was a luxury item. but when they began having all these marketing promos for "kid-friendly" cellphones where you can program mom's number on the speed dial, then it showed just how EVERYONE needed one.

ocampo 18-k

D said...

Hmm.. I've looked Wikipedia up a bit, because I was originally interested with UK as an empire. What interested me more though, is that the empire's history has ties with this law too.

The British exercised these laws when they colonized/annexed/occupied so many lands that I dare not enumerate them anymore. It has even been said that the sun never sets on the British Empire because its span around the globe that the sun was always rising in at least one of its territories.

The different lands were for a time satisfied with the events befalling them (hey, protection, westernization, "civilization" - who could refuse that?). However, the time came when one by one, the colonies were either declaring independence, or neighboring powers put increasing pressure on the Empire. I guess the occupied territories and rival powers' dependence of the Empire was declining.

For example, Egypt was beginning to have nationalist ideals and revolted. The British withdrew, but ,having lost India, decided everything was not yet over. They conspired with the French and the Israeli to invade the Suez Canal. The US did not participate, because of they were not consulted as much. Of course, some more politics were involved but the bottom line is that, the British withdrew. On the world stage, Britain were not so much of a power than what it has been. All subsequent conflicts of Britain carried with it the approval of the United States.

So now, dog eats dog. I haven't caught up on where the British Empire failed but one thing is for sure. Learning this law is HARD.


Dylan Valerio
Hi18L

D said...

Hmm.. who knows what will eat up the US now. Dependence issues... O_O

dyl V
hi18L

Miguel Galvez said...

It is understandable for someone weaker to depend on you. It is strange, however, that someone just as capable as you are, or perhaps even more so, depends on you as well.

This dependence of an equal or a superior can be one of two things: either a lack of confidence - which then becomes exploitable - or a horrible trap waiting to happen. You see, there are also laws of power that suggest that, in order to gain power, one must surrender or act weak. All these laws, they do at some point eat one another.

Keeping people dependent on you is a tricky business. You have to be keen enough to notice when this dependence is genuine and when it is already becoming a means to expose your true motives. Do not get carried away in their dependence for you, in case they think you've started to enjoy too much your position of power.

It is true what they say, though. Once you've proven your services true and worth it, people will depend on you and expect you to almost always pull through for them instead of even trying to do things themselves.

See, that's either enjoyable... Or pitiful. You may want to rethink about whether you still want to conquer a nation or a person who will do nothing for you in return but depend on you the entire time. Will you be gaining an asset or a burden?

Anonymous said...

i agree with the others that this law is really important. it's an extremely pleasant feeling when you know that people depend on you. you tend to feel needed, important, and in charge. upon reading your blog, i imagined a doctor who was the only doctor in a town. since he was the only doctor, naturally, he would be in demand and sought-after by the people. everyone would be so nice to that doctor and everybody would treat him well. people will rely on him a lot and really respect him. in order to have people depend on you a lot, one must really find that good opportunity. if you want people to depend on you, you must really make that thing a necessity. also, it is important that you enter a situation where in you are the only one in charge. it is difficult if there's competition because people can easily depend on that other person, especially if that person is better than you. it is important to be needed by others, and to be the only one good at that thing.

-Philip Albert T. Verde
Hi18-K

Anonymous said...

I very much agree that being depended on gives someone a sense of autonomy.

In this dog-eat-dog world, I can only imagine how powerful one would feel if people depended on him/her. Oftentimes, people tend to pull one another down just so they could reach the top. Being the one depended on by others gives you a great image. It's like all of them conceded in permitting you to be the best and the one that they need. It makes a person have a "hey-they-need-me-i'm-so-awesome" thinking.

Monica Copuyoc
Hi18- L

Serica Chua Rojas said...

I can fully relate to this law. I think that knowing when and how to depend on someone else (other than yourself) is also a good manifestation of wisdom, which could in turn, lead more people to depend on you. Even the world we students live in is tough. When you find yourself in a group of people, working for a certain project and you discover that they don't really like or need you, the best possible solution for this is to focus on the task at hand. Do not let all the worries of being liked and needed keep you from succeeding at your job. Once your groupmates start seeing that you're good at what you do and are actually capable of doing something extraordinary for the team, they'll eventually like you. And that has already won you 2 points: succeeding at the job and gaining their respect by proving to them that they should also rely on you.

An important note, however, is to keep their dependence on you at a moderate scale because drawbacks are often times unavoidable. When your group mates start getting used to the idea that you can actually make things work out for the group without their help, they might start free-loading..and that’s not going to be a good thing anymore, is it?

Chua Rojas, Serica
Hi18 - L

chiocebrero said...

Effective application of the law can only happen if great power is involved. The depended should be so powerful that its dependents would virtually be powerless in the absence of the depended.

I think the best example would be the United States and its neo-colonies. We all know that the Philippines, among many other countries, depends highly on the United States. Our dependence puts us in a subordinate position. Dependence puts the depended in power, simply because the dependent cannot function without the depended. The depended gives to the dependents, while the dependents are required to assert inferiority and powerlessness in the absence of the depended.

The US became a huge world power because they gave other nations a reason to NEED and depend on them. The US gives aid, trade, and commerce, while we give them power and authority.


Chio Cebrero
Hi 18 L

Anonymous said...

Dependecy is indeed one of the most effective tool that can be utilized to gain power. As Ria have stated, "if you're not needed, why would people keep you around".

A modern example? technology. as years passed, we have been too dependent on technology that some of us can't even leave our homes without our cellphones. our i pods should always have power, and so is our psp's and laptops. everyday, we establish the role that it plays in our personal lives that our grasp with it becomes firmer and firmer. I sometimes wonder if this dependency is leading us for the greater good?

Kriska Rivadillo
Hi18 K

Anonymous said...

This law can pretty much sum up all the others. The idea of power is having other people under you, thus you have to make them not only subject to you but lost without you (so they don't just thwart you the first chance they get). Hae In makes a great point- you need to find the people easiest to subject and indebt. Start small and work your way up. Keep making yourself bigger. This goes for everything from annexing smaller nations to learning new skills [conquer them, attach them to your name (somehow that makes them sort of "dependent" on you) and make yourself bigger").
Du, L

Gliza Marasigan said...

You always have to have this image of being a necessity to your public, in order for them to follow you and need you. If you're not able to impose this, why in the world do you think your people would still bother following or needing you?

Think of countries like the United States, which usually reach out to 3rd world countries like the Philippines in order to get some form of support or trade agreement. Filipinos depend on the US because we feel that we're secure with them. Since they're highly advanced and wealthy, we have this feeling of intense dependency on their country to support us in our economic problems and whatnot. A lot of Filipinos even bow down to the US being a super power because they believe that the Americans could bring them to the promised land.

Gliza Marasigan
Hi18-L

Anonymous said...

Having someone depend on you gives you a sense of power over them. And as mentioned in the previous comment, this is very much evident in a lot of international affairs today. US and the Philippines, US and other 3rd world countries...oh wait..it's all about the US isn't it???

Yup, it is. If we have to name the "convenience store" (Ria's comment) of all nations..it's definitely the United States. Just when Obama won, it seems like he had been elected president of the world!!! Surely, people across nations, will depend on him...especially in this global economic crisis.

Raizza Encinas
Hi18 Section L

krizia said...

In instances where you need a "strength in numbers" kind of law, this plan could be very advantageous. As long as people are dependent on you, they will stay with and be truly faithful to you. When it comes to taking sides, they will choose yours. As long as you possess something they need, you've practically got them wrapped around your fingers.
But i can just imagine, I'm sure this law is very exhausting as well. Not only do you have to constantly maintain this kind of relationship but you'll also need to think of ways for them to want you more just to be secure. This law is forever a work in progress. I don't think I'd enjoy doing something as tedious as this.

Krizia Javate
Hi18-K

Anonymous said...

I agree with Bea that, "it's extremely difficult to maintain that dependency without having someone steal it away from you." People can depend on you when they need you, but things change. They may find others and poof, you're just a Koko Krunch. As Kristina stated, you can't really be the only one.

The sad thing here is that when you lose your so called "value" for others, you can't complain nor do much about it because hey, you're just a neces... (wait for it) sity!

Tom Manahan
Hi 18-K

Anonymous said...

expectations breed pressure. If people depend too much on you ALL THE TIME, you will in one point burst out. I believe that our president is capable of handling what needs to be done but because she is the president and everyone kinda "depends" on her, she becomes pressured and even fails to do a lot of stuff because she has the whole country looking at her. It is hard when everyone is dependent on you because as soon as you fail, you will be judged and the successes you have done will be overlooked just because of that one failure.

I don't want to be Dr. Love but if you think about it, in a relationship, either one should be solely dependent on one another because in the long run both of you will just end up fighting. haha

Raf Sobrepena Hi - K

Roshmia said...

A dependent relationship is what you need to manipulate others. If people are dependent on you they will bend over backwards to give you what you want.
It is best to work in the background when you have a dependent relationship-- more leg room! You can watch everything play out and if something goes wrong you'll be the first to escape, and no one will notice since the spotlight isn't on you and because you don't depend on others, all you'll be losing are perks that you can get somewhere else.
However, it is still best to be careful not to go overboard with your requests. People will eliminate even the ones they need just to save themselves. If your request can put others in danger, they might suddenly realize that you're not vital to their lives.

-Roshmia Pundato
HI18-L

Anonymous said...

I agree that you have to keep people dependent on you. Why would they deem you fit to be their leader if they don't think you'll be able to secure them with what they want and need? However, one can only do so much. I think it's important to keep track of people's expectations and to not get ahead of yourself. If people depend on you too much, what will happen if you can't meet what they expect from you? People might not only end up being disappointed but cause havoc and riots as well against you. Always keep in mind to not eat more than you can chew. Don't overdo things and think you have the power to do whatever people ask of you because we're all just human subjected to our own shortcomings.

Teri Marcelo
Hi 18-K

Anonymous said...

I agree with this almost completely. Power cannot be measured by strength and knowledge, but through the will you have over people. Applying this law to people of great influence can certainly increase your power too. However,I believe for this to take full effect, the one using this law must know how to analyze the situation so that one may further one's goals to full effect.

Alan Ortiz
HI18 - K

Reggae Princess said...

I agree with Teri and Bea about the downside of this law.

"With great power comes...

This law is extremely important, as others have stressed, since what puts you in the position of a leader in the first place is that need of the people to be directed.

If they don't need to be directed anymore, then you're not needed as a leader anymore. That's pretty straightforward. So what Bea said about being depended on for something one-of-a-kind is important. That way, you will reduce the chances that people will find someone better than you and therefore, reduce the chances of not being needed anymore and increase chances of remaining in a powerful position.

I agree with Teri's point as well about not eating more than you can chew. If you take up something that people expect you to do well and you disappoint them, people, of course, would want to look for someone better, and before you know it, you're out of the picture.

... great stress"

-Marion Causing, Hi18-K

Unknown said...

To remain in power is to be needed. Truly, you don't want to be merely an extra appendage that could very well be cut off just because you could function just as well without your help. You should really keep your public/people clamoring for your guidance if you don't want your power to wane.

Joey Palma
Hi18-K

danaceline said...

One basic example for this, I think, is parent-child relationship. Why do you think parents have so much power over their children when they are young, and then as the children grow up, their power over the child is lessened? It's because people are most dependent of their parents when they are young, innocent, and incapable of feeding themselves.
As the child becomes independent, the less powerful the parents become.
Making someone dependent on you, therefore, can really be a means of gaining power over a person.

Dana Cammayo
Hi18-L

Anonymous said...

have you ever thought of the fact that by actually reading these 'laws of power', robert greene (or whoever else he has to credit it for) is actually applying this law on us? by telling us of how we can protect ourselves/empower ourselves, we somehow become dependent to what he says to us through this laws - something which is actually adverse to what the law tries to tell us. just a thought. what does everybody else think about this?

- Bjorn Umali, Hi18-L

Anonymous said...

Actually, that's right. ^

Personally, I think this book guides us, but goes only so far to encapsulate certain moments of human relationships. Take it as a whole, and we find all sorts of contradictions (even when we juxtapose some laws with others).

However, by playing on peoples' desire to achieve some order and sense in their lives, this book becomes a bestseller. A perfect play indeed, right?

We are not pro's in handling all relationships. And we will never be (plus, being the perfect public relations person is so boring). That's why these laws sells.

Dyl V
L

Anonymous said...

to Ria

I like your example. It is appropriate for this law and it also uses the law of demand and supply (in economic term). :)
When the demand (people who are thirsty) is more than supply (convenient store), the price will naturally go up and there, the law of "keeping people dependent on you" applies. People demand it not because of the power or skill
but because of their necessity.

Anonymous said...

to Ria

I like your example. It is appropriate for this law and it also uses the law of demand and supply (in economic term). :)
When the demand (people who are thirsty) is more than supply (convenient store), the price will naturally go up and there, the law of "keeping people dependent on you" applies. People demand it not because of the power or skill
but because of their necessity.

Hae In Lee
Hi 18 K

Sean said...

This is true. Put a bunch of warriors in a room and each one of them can fight each other. Put a warrior in a room full of women and children and he becomes indispensable.

Sean Co
Hi 18 K

Anonymous said...

This is a tough law to apply. It requires a lot of action to be taken. One has to impress others and maintain a certain aura of respect and success. Aside from that, one has to choose who he or she makes allies with, so as to assure that they would actually be dependent on them. A lot of steps have to be made, but in the end it should still be worth it.

Paolo Banaga
Hi 18-L

Anonymous said...

I too believe the statement "why would people hang around with you if they have nothing to gain". If people depend on you then you have the upper hand over them. You sort of control them due to the fact that they lean on you and expect you to hold them up. People long for that sense of security, regardless of the fact if it is for their benefit or for the benefit towards others.

Richard Hahn
L

Anonymous said...

I actually apply this law in my life. Why would people ignore you or remove you from position if there is no one else capable of what you are doing? People would depend on you and think that you are an important and irreplaceable person.

But if you think of it, this could cause a problem. For example, in an office setting everybody is dependent on you if you need to retire there is a great possibility that no one is good enough or even nearly capable of replacing you which might be a great problem to the company you are working for.

Alysa Alberto
Hi18-L

Anonymous said...

This is absolutely true; the power that you yield does not come from you, but from others who put you in such status because they are dependent on you. Without you, they become weak and unable to tend to themselves. They need a hero who to their belief is a much better person than they are; in fact, more like god-like. At the instance therefore when they seem nowhere to look for someone who will protect them, they look up to you because they know you will deliver the goods. In fact, they have no choice; all they have is you, until probably the time comes when someone else could the same job, and perhaps much better; then you become useless and irrelevant.

Czarina Kathryne Masagca
Hi18-L

Anonymous said...

To Czarina.

yes, it is sad that people depend and look up to you not because they naively like you but because they need you for their own sake.
Thus, it is very dangerous because people may leave you when the relationship of dependence disappears. So, we must be and do what others can not be and do so that we can remain in power.

Hae In Lee
Hi18 K

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