Laws of Power – 27

Play on people’s need to believe to create a cult-like following: people have an overwhelming desire to believe in something. Become the focal point of such desire by offering them a cause, a new faith to follow. Keep your words vague but full of promise; emphasize enthusiasm over rationality and clear thinking. Give your new disciples rituals to perform, ask them to make sacrifices on your behalf in the absence of organized religion in granting causes, your new belief system will bring you untold power.

As chief information security officer, my position puts me in the place of enforcer. Generally speaking, in my experience, this is not a rule that people cheer and want to rally around. Instead, what I have experienced is that the majority of people under my “protection” are not at all interested in becoming information security disciples. This effect may work for politicians or public servants, but less so for an information security practitioner. The effect is relevant to the members of a person’s team. Continuity and collective cohesiveness is extremely important and applying solid leadership and team player principles lend itself towards the message this rule provides.

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