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DebG
Pick a cause & stand up for it
Member since 5/05 18602 total posts
Name:
The cure IS worse!
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I don't even know what to title this
As some of you know, I started school this week.
In one of the books I am reading for class (a class on leadership in the workplace) the author states:
"Be wary of friends-they will betray you more quickly , for they are easily aroused to envy. They also become spoiled and tyrannical. But hire a former enemy and he will be more loyal than a friend, because he has more to prove. In fact, you have more to fear from friends than from enemies. If you have no enemies, find a way to make them."
At the same time he also states
"Although it is generally best not to mix work with friendship, there are times when a friend can be used to greater effect than an enemy. A man of power, for example, often has dirty work that has to be done, but for the same of appearances it is generally preferable to have other people do it for him; friends often do this best, since their affection for him makes them willing to take chances. Also, if your plans go awry for some reason, you can use a friend as a convenient scapegoat.
what the...am I reallllly supposed to subscribe to these theories? Honestly, I can't even begin to take them seriously.
Does anyone here believe that this is what makes great leaders? or maybe some of you have seen this work in your own companies/industries?
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Posted 10/4/07 5:09 PM  |
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Superkat
More a stranger than a friend
Member since 5/06 9730 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: I don't even know what to title this
That author sounds cynical and bitter. I wouldn't subscribe to any of these theories.
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| Posted 10/4/07 5:11 PM |
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Gertyrae
Peace out Homies!
Member since 5/05 20046 total posts
Name:
Gerty ®
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Re: I don't even know what to title this
I think the first part is very true...although how it plays out in the workplace is questionable.
As far as the second part, there are a whole bunch of ethical rules being broken there....
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| Posted 10/4/07 5:11 PM |
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Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
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They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: I don't even know what to title this
When it comes to business, those who can do... and those who can't teach... those who can't write or teach come up with crackpot theories, publish them in a textbook, and sell those textbooks to the teachers. 
ETA - I'm waiting for the FMs from business teachers who think I'm serious.
Not sure where I honestly stand on those issues... though I tend to disagree that hiring an enemy is a good idea. I mean, unless you LOVE failure.
Message edited 10/4/2007 5:13:18 PM.
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| Posted 10/4/07 5:12 PM |
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DebG
Pick a cause & stand up for it
Member since 5/05 18602 total posts
Name:
The cure IS worse!
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Re: I don't even know what to title this
Posted by Kara
When it comes to business, those who can do... and those who can't teach... those who can't write or teach come up with crackpot theories, publish them in a textbook, and sell those textbooks to the teachers.
It's not even a textbook. It's a "national bestseller" book! It;s called the 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
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| Posted 10/4/07 5:14 PM |
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ILJ619
LIF Adult
Member since 6/06 1985 total posts
Name:
Irene
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Re: I don't even know what to title this
hmm..i think I get it. i think I do have that situation here at work. Before becoming my boss, we were friends at work, but now that he is my boss...he uses the friendship when its convenient. Knowing that I'm loyal and will do what i'm asked on one hand. Then using his new power to prove a point and sometimes exaggerate a mistake i've made to show how important/powerful he is in his new role. If we had not been friends prior I would have quit b/c he has become a jerk and honestly I never know if today we are friends or I am the subordinate.
ETS: did that make any sense at all? lol
Message edited 10/4/2007 5:18:13 PM.
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| Posted 10/4/07 5:14 PM |
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Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
Name:
They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: I don't even know what to title this
Posted by DebG
Posted by Kara
When it comes to business, those who can do... and those who can't teach... those who can't write or teach come up with crackpot theories, publish them in a textbook, and sell those textbooks to the teachers.
It's not even a textbook. It's a "national bestseller" book! It;s called the 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
I guess I should have finished my sentence...
... those who canot write, teach, or get their crackpot theories published in a textbook to sell to the teachers write stupid arse articles and publish them as books that teachers and dumbarses will buy up like crack and make the book a national bestseller.
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| Posted 10/4/07 5:16 PM |
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Gertyrae
Peace out Homies!
Member since 5/05 20046 total posts
Name:
Gerty ®
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Re: I don't even know what to title this
Posted by DebG
"Be wary of friends-they will betray you more quickly , for they are easily aroused to envy. They also become spoiled and tyrannical. But hire a former enemy and he will be more loyal than a friend, because he has more to prove. In fact, you have more to fear from friends than from enemies. If you have no enemies, find a way to make them."
?
Look at it this way...a friend may or may not want you to succeed, generally not because they get jealous or afraid they may lose you as a friend. Therefore, they may do more to sabatoge you wether it's conscious or not.
A former enemy is trying to prove their worth so they won't sabatoge you, they will try to help in any way they can.
I don't know about the making enemies thing...that's a little odd IMO.
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| Posted 10/4/07 5:17 PM |
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itkocak
Member since 7/07 7639 total posts
Name:
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Re: I don't even know what to title this
Message edited 11/11/2011 9:55:08 PM.
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| Posted 10/4/07 5:18 PM |
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Superkat
More a stranger than a friend
Member since 5/06 9730 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: I don't even know what to title this
Posted by imthekevinofcindyandkevin
Posted by Superkat
That author sounds cynical and bitter. I wouldn't subscribe to any of these theories.
Jinx you owe me a coke.
ITA and was going to say the exact same thing verbatim weird.
Get outta my head.
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| Posted 10/4/07 5:19 PM |
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Superkat
More a stranger than a friend
Member since 5/06 9730 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: I don't even know what to title this
Posted by Gertyrae
A former enemy is trying to prove their worth so they won't sabatoge you, they will try to help in any way they can.
I don't know about the making enemies thing...that's a little odd IMO.
This theory assumes that the former enemy would rather prove their worth than sabotage you. In real life, it isn't that cut and dried. Enemies DO choose to attack you again, whether you expect it or not.
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| Posted 10/4/07 5:21 PM |
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MegZee
My bunny
Member since 5/06 8777 total posts
Name:
Meaghan
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Re: I don't even know what to title this
business by Machiavelli???
I really don't agree either, but its hard to give an opinion without reading the whole thing.
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| Posted 10/4/07 5:45 PM |
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MarathonKnitter
HAPPY
Member since 2/07 17374 total posts
Name:
EMBRACING CHANGE
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Re: I don't even know what to title this
i understand, to a degree, about mixing work with friends. i once got a promotion to management. a "friend" who started right along with me felt i owed her something because she knew "where i came from". she ended up being the worst employee i had to manage... she even ended up stealing from the company.
about making enemies... not crazy about that.
about enemies wanting to prove themselves... you can't always predict that.
about using friends... sounds so un-ethical. I keep thinking about the bumper sticker: "a friend will bail you out, a good friend will help you bury the body"
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| Posted 10/4/07 5:53 PM |
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Ginger123
Sooo happy
Member since 8/07 1235 total posts
Name:
dana
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Re: I don't even know what to title this
life is not so black and white... every enemy is diffrent
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| Posted 10/4/07 7:52 PM |
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JessieQ
Rest in Peace baby Rogan
Member since 6/07 1122 total posts
Name:
Jessica
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Re: I don't even know what to title this
The work and friendship thing makes some sense, a friend of mine said when she started her job her boss was really friendly, and since it was just three of them at the time everyone was close. However, over time he got stricter and more demanding, and started to throw things back that she had told him to her face (for example, she used to talk about the tv shows she watched, then later if she complained that he gave her extra work and had to stay late that oh well she lived alone and just watched tv so what did it matter).
I do sort of get the idea that your prior enemies may work harder than your friends, because they have more to prove, but I think that's a dangerous game to play. And I don't get the idea of trying to make enemies.
And it's one thing if your friends offer to help you do something that may not be easy (not talking unlawful or anything), but to plan to use friends like this is sick, and to use them as scapegoats,  !
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| Posted 10/4/07 9:01 PM |
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tourist
Member since 5/05 10425 total posts
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Re: I don't even know what to title this
Posted by DebG
what the...am I reallllly supposed to subscribe to these theories? Honestly, I can't even begin to take them seriously.
I don't think you are supposed to accept it as verbatim instructions.
Do you have a syllabus? You probably will discuss the meritts of various theories.
Congrats on going back to school & good luck!
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| Posted 10/4/07 9:19 PM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: I don't even know what to title this
It's along the same lines as "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer."
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| Posted 10/5/07 1:02 AM |
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MsMBV
:P
Member since 5/05 28602 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: I don't even know what to title this
Posted by Superkat
That author sounds cynical and bitter. I wouldn't subscribe to any of these theories.
ITA. I do however, feel that too much of a comfort level can be detrimental in a business setting, but there is a limit, I think.
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| Posted 10/5/07 8:07 AM |
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