Power and Influence: The 48 Laws of Power, Influence and The Prince
Breni's power and influence path teaches three famous books so learners can recognise persuasion and manipulation and defend against them. There are 3 courses: Influence by Robert Cialdini, The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene, and The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli. It starts with Cialdini's research, moves to Greene's historical patterns, and ends with Machiavelli's original text. Each course closes with how to spot the tactic and respond.
What you will be able to do
- Name the principles of persuasion in a sales pitch
- Spot common manipulation tactics in workplace and online settings
- Explain why Machiavelli asked whether it is better to be loved or feared
- Respond to pressure tactics without copying them
Full curriculum
Part 1 · The research
1. Influence by Robert Cialdini: Spot the Principles of Persuasion
Recognise the principles of persuasion and decide when to say no. Units, in order: Reciprocity; Commitment and consistency; Social proof; Liking and authority; Scarcity; Saying no to persuasion you did not ask for.
- — Understanding Reciprocity
Learn how people feel obliged to give back gifts and favors.- The Reciprocity Norm
- Unexpected Gifts
- Reciprocal Concessions
- — Commitment and Consistency
Discover why people want to stay consistent with past actions.- The Consistency Principle
- Foot in the Door
- Public Commitments
- — Using Social Proof
See how people look to others when making decisions under uncertainty.- The Social Proof Rule
- Uncertainty and Similarity
- Hotel Towel Studies
- — Liking and Authority
Understand how experts and likable people persuade us easily.- The Authority Principle
- Expert Introductions
- The Liking Principle
- — The Power of Scarcity
Explore why people want things they can have less of.- The Scarcity Principle
- Highlighting Losses
- — Defending Against Persuasion
Learn how to spot persuasion tactics and say no.- Decision Shortcuts
- Cognitive Control
- Spotting Weapons
Part 2 · The playbooks
2. The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene: Recognise Power Games
Recognise the power tactics the book describes and respond to them. Units, in order: What the book is and how it was written; Laws about reputation and attention; Laws about concealment and silence; Why the book is popular and controversial; Spotting manipulation tactics; Defending yourself without becoming cynical.
- — The Origins of the Book
Learn how Robert Greene wrote The 48 Laws of Power.- Robert Greene and Background
- Writing the Book
- — Power and Reputation
Explore how the book views power and public reputation.- The Nature of Power
- Dealing with Adversaries
- — Popularity and Criticism
See why the book is famous and why critics object.- Famous Readers
- Scholar and Critic Views
- — Spotting Manipulation Tactics
Learn how psychological manipulation is defined and identified.- What Is Manipulation
- Common Manipulation Tactics
- — Defending Wisely
Learn how to respond to power tactics without becoming cynical.- Taking Laws With Salt
- Power as a Tool
3. The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli: Read the Original Playbook
Read what Machiavelli actually advised and why. Units, in order: Florence, the Medici and why Machiavelli wrote; Is it better to be loved or feared; Virtu and fortune; Cesare Borgia as a model; Keeping faith and appearing virtuous; What Machiavellian means today.
- — Florence and the Medici
Learn why Machiavelli wrote for the Medici.- Machiavelli's Life and Exile
- The Dedication Letter
- Kinds of Principalities
- — Love and Fear
Discover if a ruler should be loved or feared.- Cruelty and Mercy
- Why Fear is Safer
- — Virtu and Fortune
Master personal ability and handle unpredictable luck.- Power through Virtu
- Facing Fortune
- — Cesare Borgia's Model
Study Cesare Borgia as Machiavelli's prime example.- Rise of Cesare Borgia
- The Fall of Borgia
- — Keeping Faith and Virtue
Understand deception and the mask of virtue.- Praised and Blamed Qualities
- The Fox and Lion
- — Machiavellian Meaning Today
See how Machiavelli's ideas shaped modern politics.- The Prince Infamy
- Anti-Machiavellism
Sample: Influence by Robert Cialdini: Spot the Principles of Persuasion
The opening tier, (Understanding Reciprocity). Learn how people feel obliged to give back gifts and favors.
The Reciprocity Norm
People are obliged to give back gifts or services they receive first.
Unexpected Gifts
Personalized and unexpected small gifts dramatically increase tips and compliance.
Reciprocal Concessions
Making a large request first makes people accept a smaller request.
Questions about Power and Influence: The 48 Laws of Power, Influence and The Prince
Is The 48 Laws of Power a good book to learn from?
It is popular and also criticised for encouraging manipulation. The Breni path teaches it so you can recognise these tactics, not so you can use them on people.
What are Cialdini's principles of persuasion?
Reciprocity, commitment and consistency, social proof, liking, authority, scarcity and unity. The course shows each one in a real setting.
Do I need to read the books first?
No. Each course explains the book's ideas in plain language and links to the sources it was built from.
Is Breni affiliated with the authors?
No. Breni is not affiliated with Robert Greene, Robert Cialdini or their publishers.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes, finishing all 3 courses earns a Breni certificate of completion.
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- Deep Work and Focus: Deep Work, Indistractable and The 4-Hour Workweek
- Mindset and Resilience: Growth Mindset, Grit and Man's Search for Meaning
- Economics for Beginners
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