48 LAWS OF POWER (PART 1): AN ODE TO BOBBY AXELROD

LAW #1: NEVER OUTSHINE THE MASTER:

Robert Greene tells us to always make out superiors feel comfortably above us. In the Showtime series “Billions” there are more than enough examples of insubordination and for the most part, it doesn’t end well for the junior party as almost all the time, rank wins. Well, almost is not a fact and Robert “Bobby” Axelrod is no ‘normal’ individual. In the third season of the show, we learn that Bobby left his previous place of employment because his former boss made a point of pulling rank on him and making him feel small. He recognized his worth, walked away and never worked for anyone again. Now, he makes it a priority every year to visit his former superior at his favourite restaurant and berate him.

LAW #9: WIN THROUGH YOUR ACTIONS, NEVER THROUGH ARGUMENT

As much as he had a lot of intelligence to express verbally, Bobby is not a man of many words. He’s fine to let you have the last word but his actions ensure that he has the last laugh. As the CEO and Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of a multibillion dollar hedge fund, he understand the value of getting others to agree with you by demonstrating and not merely by words.

LAW #16: USE ABSENCE TO INCREASE RESPECT AND HONOR

Once, in a bid to hurriedly raise $1.5billion in capital, Bobby arranged for a meeting with a pension fund at his office. However, he did not show up for the meeting. By putting his senior portfolio manager in his place, he made his absence felt. This was effective because when he chose to show up, the potential investors, excited by his presence and beaming with adoration, were all but ready to give him their money.

I particularly like this law because to me, the words “Where have you been?” and “Why have I not seen you since?” are sweeter to my ears than “You’ve come again?”

LAW #18: DO NOT BUILD FORTRESSES TO PROTECT YOURSELF – ISOLATION IS DANGEROUS

Isolation can be an extremely harmful choice of protection against a dangerous world. This is because cutting off from people, events and valuable information exposes you to more dangers than it protects you from. We never once saw Bobby Axelrod rattled, careless and irrational except the time he was separated from his craft, business and his family. You would think the man was on ‘craque’ (don’t worry, I’m mindful of the PG status of African Musings) the way he moved about restlessly because he felt out of the loop.

The more you are isolated, the easier it is to deceive you. Stay in the know.

LAW #19 KNOW WHO YOU’RE DEALING WITH – DO NOT OFFEND THE WRONG PERSON

“…if you want to turn people down, it is best to do so politely and respectfully, even if you feel their request is impudent or their offer ridiculous.”

Robert Greene, 48 Laws of Power.

Axelrod, in his bid to expand his business decided to embark on a mission to raise $20 billion in Capital. His quest led him to Grigor Andolov, a Russian oligarch who, like Axelrod, has humble beginnings. They engage in an episode long bravado contest (as is expected by men of their stature). It is not until the episode’s final scene, where Grigor tells Axelrod a chilling story of some horrible things he had done growing up to fend for his family, that Axelrod understands that this is nobody to be messed with.

It is true that we live in a time where the threshold of political correctness is at almost maddening level. We must, however, move with wisdom. Stepping on the wrong foot or crossing the wrong person might leave us in a worse situation than simply being cancelled on twitter.

To be continued….