Success in any game is measured by one's ability to influence events to favour one's own agenda. Leverage is the key to achieving this, and consequently the Player will devote his time and energy to achieving this over his opponents. Once gained, a Player will sacrifice much to retain leverage, since it affords him a continual advantage in the long-term.
This leverage need not be real; usually it is enough that it is merely perceived. Therefore, bluffing, or impression management, is an integral part of the Game.
In Italy they use the phrase "fare una bella figura" to mean "putting on a nice face." This is the way the Players do business - by disguising their intentions beneath a veneer of respectability. The focus is not on reality so much as on what appears to be real, and in knowing this, Players are able to manager society's impression of them by appearing to be genuine, virtuous and well-intentioned. This is far more effective a strategy for getting ahead than actually being all of those things!
The poseurs are not new to The Game, indeed they have been playing throughout our history. There have never been so many of them, however, as there are now. The trick is to appear successful in order to convince us that they are so. Thus they become the first product to be sold using their accomplished marketing skills. If we buy into their success and sincerity we are more likely to buy whatever else they are selling. In today's world the appearance of success must precede success itself - an observation which brings to light the entirely cyclical nature of a society which prizes the appearance of success in its own right, irrespective of how much the poseur might actually achieve.
Those virtual people cannot completely rid themselves of those who are the genuine article, because someone is required to actually produce. Consequently, a small number of these dinosaurs are allowed to stay and on occasion, are very well remunerated, and given impressive titles, but never under any circumstances are they given any real power. They may become experts, advisers, or researchers, but they are always well removed from where any real power resides.
This leverage need not be real; usually it is enough that it is merely perceived. Therefore, bluffing, or impression management, is an integral part of the Game.
In Italy they use the phrase "fare una bella figura" to mean "putting on a nice face." This is the way the Players do business - by disguising their intentions beneath a veneer of respectability. The focus is not on reality so much as on what appears to be real, and in knowing this, Players are able to manager society's impression of them by appearing to be genuine, virtuous and well-intentioned. This is far more effective a strategy for getting ahead than actually being all of those things!
The poseurs are not new to The Game, indeed they have been playing throughout our history. There have never been so many of them, however, as there are now. The trick is to appear successful in order to convince us that they are so. Thus they become the first product to be sold using their accomplished marketing skills. If we buy into their success and sincerity we are more likely to buy whatever else they are selling. In today's world the appearance of success must precede success itself - an observation which brings to light the entirely cyclical nature of a society which prizes the appearance of success in its own right, irrespective of how much the poseur might actually achieve.
Those virtual people cannot completely rid themselves of those who are the genuine article, because someone is required to actually produce. Consequently, a small number of these dinosaurs are allowed to stay and on occasion, are very well remunerated, and given impressive titles, but never under any circumstances are they given any real power. They may become experts, advisers, or researchers, but they are always well removed from where any real power resides.
About the Author:
John Berling Hardy is dedicated to giving those who are committed to winning tools to make it happen. For more of his writings please visit www.playingtheplayers.com
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