If you move to leadership positions, you have to determine how you lead and what your values and ethics are beside to have and keep power. There are many writers and one of the most famous is Machiavelli’s The Prince. It is very easy to read or buy a copy and How to seize power. How to build on to power are things you need to learn. You may not use all the lessons, but those in power are very often not eager to let go of the power, particularly when you control vast assets. If you are involved in organizations that have less than $15,000, seizing and holding onto power often means showing up. The responsibility is there because someone needs to do it.

In a book called Machiavelli for Women by Stacey Vanek Smith, published by Gallery Books, NY, 2021, the author outlines some areas where it is important to incorporate Machiavelli’s ideas.

It should be note Machiavelli was essentially in the foreign service of a city state Florence when Italy was a series of city states. Naturally with city states, there are always those that gain power and want to expand it, and Machiavelli was trying to use his wits to keep Florence independent. Machieavelli career had its highs and lows, and one of its lows was he was exciled from the city and that is when he was able to reflect and write a story of how to gain and keep power.

Ms. Smith agrees the workplace is not fair, never has been, and you should take the lay of the land, identify the obstacles and look for ways forward.

There are 2 types of Princes – the ones that inherit and the ones that take control of the kingdom by conquest. It is the same in the business world. The ones who inherit the company are generally known to the people in the company. For the princes that conquer, it is tricky position, the prince has the power but who supports him? how does he gain support to keep the power?

Some lessons:

1. every job tends to have a band range for the salary, in general women have tend to be at the bottom or below the midrange; men were paid above the midrange. After a few years, the difference in salary begins to add up. Women should ask to be paid at or near the top range during their performance reviews.
2. every job has responsibilities the employer is looking for. Women tend to want to be competent close to 100%, men in general believe that 60% is okay and they will grow into the job.
3. in every negotiation – confidence is key. Practice it and show confidence and you will be seen.
4. most of service work is about ideas and gaining resources to implement them. How do your present your ideas and gain funding for it? Are you a mentor; part of a support network? understand how the process works.
5. you may love your job and the company, but if they are underpaying and undervaluing you, build a nest egg or emergency fund, so you can have more options. Moving to a new company – start up or competitor.
6. the book has more information and is worth reading.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, when you own these companies one of your responsibilities is to vote as a shareholder. Many times, the motions pass overwhelming but every once in a while, your vote counts because the vote is close.You are evaluating leadership and whether you want the person to hold onto power or vote him out. You use Machiavelli’s principles all the time, you just do not call them that.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.