Principles Friday: "Always Say Less than Necessary" by Robert Greene

Every Friday, I share with you one principle that has inspired me.

In this episode, I share with you one principle by Robert Greene: "Always Say Less than Necessary."

In our daily life, we have to make multiple decisions daily. It becomes really hard when you don’t have any key points based on what you will make that particular decision. Our understanding of the world around us is largely shaped by the core principles we have accepted. Principles recognize what is true and help us apply truth to new or unknown situations. A good set of principles will enable us to make decisions quickly, even if our situation is completely new.

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Transcript

Welcome to Principles Friday, where I share one principle that can help you in your life and business.

Today we have on the show Robert Greene.

"Always Say Less than Necessary."

What a unique and strategic principle.

Before we dive into the principle, For those who don't know, Robert Greene is an American author, speaker, and consultant best known for his books on power, strategy, and human nature. He was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1959 and studied at the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

Greene is the author of several bestselling books, including "The 48 Laws of Power," "The Art of Seduction," "The 33 Strategies of War," "The 50th Law," and "Mastery." His books draw on historical and contemporary examples to provide insights into human behavior, psychology, and power dynamics.

In his book "The 48 Laws of Power," Robert Greene advises readers to "Always say less than necessary" to gain power and influence. The idea behind this law is that when you speak less, you create an air of mystery and intrigue, making people more interested in what you have to say. It can also make you appear more thoughtful and wiser, as people will assume that you carefully consider your words before speaking.

You also avoid revealing too much about yourself or your intentions by saying less than necessary, which can help you maintain a strategic advantage in social and professional situations. This law is particularly useful when people compete for power or attention, such as in business or politics.

As Robert says, "The more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish".

Many people enjoy speaking and often dominate conversations with superficial and unrealistic ideas. However, if you take the time to listen closely to what people say, you may realize that much of what they communicate is unimportant and irrelevant to making progress. Of course, it's not for me to decide what is essential for you, but often, we waste time discussing unimportant matters. Therefore, I suggest analyzing your own speech and that of others and considering whether it is genuinely meaningful.

Overall, Greene's advice to "Always say less than necessary" is meant to encourage readers to be more strategic and intentional in their communication and use silence and restraint to gain influence and power.

That concludes it for this Friday.

Remember: "Always Say Less than Necessary"

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Have a great weekend.