The Practical Wisdom of Machiavelli
Control, Judgement, and Making Difficult Decisions
Practical wisdom is not often associated with Italian diplomat and leader Niccolò Machiavelli. For many of us, we remember his most well-known work The Prince as a cautionary tale of authoritarian control and coercion. But to dismiss his writings as such overlooks the realities of leadership and the uncomfortable decisions that those in positions of authority are obliged to confront. If you’re a parent (or want to be), business owner, manager, or leader of anyone you can benefit from his ideas, whether you like them or not.
These are five of his concepts that will help you understand the intricacies of leadership, and how you can apply them to your life in the 21st century:
1. Realpolitik
Machiavelli's focus on realpolitik means politics that prioritize practical outcomes over ethical considerations or public sentiment. His famous statement about it being better to be feared than loved reflects this. A controversial and callous idea at first glance, but an important one to consider. Who do we make decisions on behalf of? And where do we draw lines in our society? For example, the country of Singapore has draconian drug laws compared to the United States. Drug traffickers are executed or jailed for life — even for possessing small quantities of Marijuana. Singapore also has one of the lowest per capita overdose death rates in the world, while the United States has the highest. From the perspective of Realpolitik, the decision to execute one heroin dealer makes sense to save the lives of countless others. Whether or not you agree with this approach, it deserves thought and reflection.
Love can be fleeting, and loyalties change, but fear, as Machiavelli saw it, provides a more consistent means of control. In the often cutthroat and unpredictable world of politics, Machiavelli suggests that a leader must not shy away from making hard, unpopular decisions if they serve the overall purpose or the state's stability.
"The answer is that one would like to be both the one and the other; but because it is difficult to combine them, it is far safer to be feared than loved if you cannot be both."
2. Virtù (Adaptability)
Virtù represents a complex combination of qualities that a leader must possess, including adaptability, wisdom, courage, and strength. Virtù, an Italian word meaning "virtue" or "power", is derived from the Latin virtus ("manliness"). It describes the qualities desirable for a man, as opposed to vizio (vice). For Machiavelli, these were not abstract virtues but practical attributes that a ruler could apply in concrete situations. To act with virtù means recognizing when to be merciful and when to be ruthless; when to stand firm and when to be flexible. It's about understanding circumstances, not being bound by conventional or predictable behaviors.
"I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it."
3. Avoidance of Contempt and Hatred
Machiavelli acknowledged that a ruler's strength could invoke fear, but he warned against actions leading to contempt or hatred. Hatred could be more dangerous than fear, as it might lead to conspiracies, rebellions, or alliances against the leader. By focusing on organization and discipline, a ruler can maintain control without descending into tyranny or cruelty that might foster hate. The balance here is delicate and requires the leader to understand when to exercise force and when to show restraint. Anyone in a position of authority can recognize this delicate balance.
"A prince must nevertheless be cautious in believing and acting, and must not inspire fear of his own accord; and must proceed in a temperate manner with prudence and humanity, so that too much confidence does not render him incautious, and too much diffidence does not render him intolerant."
4. Understanding the Terrain
This principle extends beyond knowing the physical landscape, something that means less in our time than it did in Machiavelli’s, and more about understanding the complex dynamics of society, culture, economy, and politics within a leader's domain. It requires insight into the motivations and needs of different groups and individuals and the ability to predict how they will react to various situations. Machiavelli suggests that a ruler's intelligence can be judged by the advisors and ministers he chooses, reflecting his understanding of various aspects of governance. A good leader cannot do everything and must delegate responsibly in order to execute the tasks required for a society to function properly. This requires humility to understand what you lack as a leader and wisdom to place appropriate, trustworthy, people around you.
"The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him."
5. Appearance vs. Reality
Perception and reality may not always align, but Machiavelli argued that perception could often be more vital than reality. By managing appearances, a ruler can control narratives and opinions. This doesn't necessarily mean being deceitful but recognizing that leadership often requires playing roles and wearing masks. A leader must present the image that will best achieve the desired outcomes, even if this image does not fully reflect the leader's true self or actions. How you interface with those you have responsibility for should be different from what you express to your spouse after a long day. We do this already in our day-to-day lives. How much we hide and how much we share, often reflects the role and responsibility we have over others. The countenance of a General who understands he is outmatched on the battlefield, should not reflect the general fear of the infantryman whom he commands.
"Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are."
Start Today:
Realpolitik
Assess situations pragmatically, focusing on outcomes rather than ideology.
Be prepared to make difficult decisions that prioritize long-term success.
Virtù (Adaptability)
Cultivate a range of skills and be willing to adapt to changing circumstances.
Encourage a culture of flexibility and innovation among those around you.
Avoidance of Contempt and Hatred
Build and maintain trust with stakeholders by communicating transparently and acting consistently.
Balance firmness with compassion to avoid unnecessary resentment or fear.
Understanding the Terrain
Regularly analyze the political, social, and economic landscape to understand potential risks and opportunities.
Build relationships with diverse groups and individuals to gain insight into different perspectives.
Appearance vs. Reality
Manage your public image and communication carefully to align with your goals.
Be authentic but recognize the importance of perception and adjust your presentation accordingly.
With love,
-Joe
P.S…
I’ll be releasing more posts/essays/thoughts during the weekday that will be behind a $ 5-a-month paywall.
I will always have these weekend explorations open for anyone who wishes to read them, but if you like my writing, please consider supporting my work.
These weekday posts will have a more personal and actionable framework. My aim is to discuss what I’m currently reading, my work as a creative, and what I find compelling in this great and beautiful mystery called life.
My goal with these posts is to give you tools, thoughts, and ideas not just from me; but from other thinkers, artists, and writers whose ideas and philosophies can help us all live a more creative and meaningful life.
If this interests you please subscribe below.