Business Lessons from the Renaissance Master of Gaining and Maintaining Power

Generally considered the father of modern political science—and political ethics in particular—Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli was a Renaissance Italian writer, philosopher, humanist, historian, politician, and diplomat. After his career in politics had ended, Machiavelli wrote a short treatise that is often considered his masterpiece but was not published until five years after his death. The Prince contains adages regarding politics, in particular, providing advice for gaining and maintaining power. While Machiavelli was writing primarily about political power, his philosophies have been adopted by business leaders and titans of industry—presidents, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and innovators—ever since. Also including excerpts from The Art of War, Discourses on Livy, and Machiavelli’s other works, Machiavelli on Business explores such ideas as:

Whether it’s better for a leader to be feared or loved

How to best keep subordinates content

The necessity of breaking promises at times

Projecting the right qualities and fostering appearances

Turning obstacles into opportunities

Taking advantage of crises

And much more!