Niccolo Machiavelli's Advice for Today's Businessman.
Niccolo Machiavelli was essentially the first political philosopher of the .
Renaissance, developing a system of business tactics to gain and retain power .
over any body in which a leader reigns. His tactics are ruthless, merciless and savage, .
though undoubtedly productive. Machiavelli's advice for business people is a valid .
source for anyone looking to rise in status even today as his principles have withstood .
the test of time. With superb admonition for both workers on top or on bottom of the .
totem-pole, "The Prince" is a must-read for an individual before looking into a corporate .
profession. .
Machiavelli was a realist, understanding quite well how humans think and act. By .
this, he constructed his own system for attaining power. He first thinks that once a ruler is .
overthrown, the new ruler, or "The Prince", should be the sole authority. Next, all the .
existing members of the former administration must be marked for death so that there is .
no chance of them regaining power. Next, concerning the citizens, he believes that it is .
not wise to trust the citizens because in dismal times they will quickly turn against him, .
however on the contrary, "The Prince" should not abuse them because in uplifting times .
they will remain loyal. Machiavelli believes that a separation from the church is a must, .
as the church's intervening with his monarchy distills an altruism that "The Prince" can .
not have. Concerning the law enforcement, Machiavelli feels that the "The Prince" should make capital punishment the solitary means of discipline, because eventually a free .
criminal's exposure amongst the rest of the population will just increase the crime. .
Finally, Machiavelli feels that being selfish is better than being generous because the .
generous people of this world are usually the first to be taken advantage of, although "The .
Prince" must always act as if he is honest and sincere with the individuals underneath .