Power is the ability to get things done - your way. Sometimes
it's a direct order that you give, sometimes a suggestion you
make, or a request or the asking of a favor; but the result (if
you have power) is always that the other person acts and you
derive a benefit from the other person's actions.
One can have power in many different ways. You have it over
your employees because you pay their salaries. If you are an
expert in a special field, it's because you know the best way to
handle matters. In a legal dispute it's because you have the
law on your side. If you have credit cards, it can be part of
your lifestyle to go into a store, hotel, or restaurant, in any
city, and order whatever you wish. In politics it's because
folks will give you their votes, hoping that you'll work and
succeed in getting the government to serve them in their area.
And there's the power that derives from being talented, charming and capable; of being up-to-the minute and knowledgeable, so people know if they let you handle things for them or listen to your advice, they'll come out ahead.
One more aspect of power. This concerns competition. If all
the world were fair and equal, one would have no need for the
upper hand, for the advantage, for power. But of course the
world isn't. Which often means that in a competitive situation
you cannot merely settle for an equal chance. You must keep
your eyes and ears, and indeed all you faculties, open for any
clue or other tips that will move the balance in your favor.
Whenever possible, make sure you get more than an equal chance.
You Have to Look the Part
People are impressed by how a man looks. They are often not
aware of exactly why they treat one man like a VIP and another
gets the bum's rush. Their reactions may be subliminal, below
their conscious awareness. But take it from me, if you're well
dressed, neatly groomed, hair trimmed, etc., and are driving a
snazzy car, you'll be well received; while a guy who's wearing
sloppy clothes, unshaven and unclean, and who's driving an old heap, will hardly get any attention at all. Look as good as you can; and back it up in other ways.
Add the other elements of the power image too. Clothing - it's
worth investing some money to be well dressed. Buy suits on time payments if you can (a credit card is very useful for this).
That way the clothes are helping to get power, and therefore
money, for you while you are paying for them. Don't forget
about the car you drive around in; if the one you have is not
impressive then rent one that is. Rental cars don't cost that
much and driving a good one pays dividends in the power sphere.
Try to join clubs and organization (business, social, political)
that have important and influential members. If at first you
can't become a member, then maneuver a member into taking you as his guest.
Money and power beget money and power, the more they think you have, the more you'll get.
We must repeat that, for most people, those who belong to the
power elite are those that appear to belong to it. Unless
recognized personally, a millionaire will be turned away from a
class restaurant if he's not well-dressed.
You Have to Consciously Act the Part of One Who is Used to Being in Command
There's another extremely important factor in appearing to
already have money and power beyond what I mentioned above and that is your own manner of doing things. You must move, speak and act power. Have you ever met the grandson of a man who amassed a fortune and wondered how a grandfather who did so much could have a grandson who seems like such a weakling? It's true; that grandson could never get rich on his own; if he hadn't inherited his family's money, he'd be poor because he's weak and incompetent. And it shows. The men who, like yourself, are capable of making money now, are men who can act in a strong style that almost seems to draw money like a magnet.
Language, and the way you speak , can say as much as the ideas in your words. Equally important however, is your body
language, that is, the way you stand, walk, move and sit, and
the gestures you make.
Be the Man Who's in Demand
Power isn't just you being able to call someone and tell him
what to do; it's also other men calling you and asking for your
business or wanting to associate with you. If you're a man who
seems to possess a wide knowledge of the world, an awareness of trend, if you're the early-bird who catches sight of
opportunities first, if you're the man who's capable of handling
many different kinds of situations, then people will seek you
out. They'll invite you to vacation at their country homes, to
meet their influential associates, to join their social clubs
and their business syndicates. And when they do, all of these
will enhance your image of power, and widen your power base so you can zoom in even more.
