Machiavellianism: A Deep Dive into the Mentality and 'The 48 Laws of Power'

The opening question

Each card is independent. Your group votes on which to open, and four or five is plenty for an hour. Behind every card sit three prompts, one at a time, that only appear once it is opened on the board. Unopened cards keep for next time.

1. 1

   Staying Out Of Office Politics

   You do your work well and go home on time. You skip the gossip and the after-work chai. Then the promotion goes to someone who seems to know everyone.

2. 2

   Flattering The Boss

   One colleague laughs at every joke the boss makes. He remembers her birthday and agrees in every meeting. Everyone rolls their eyes.

3. 3

   Outshining Your Boss

   You had a great idea in the meeting. You said it loudly, in front of the senior people. Your manager smiled.

4. 4

   When Someone Takes Your Credit

   You stayed up late building the presentation. In the meeting, your manager presents it. Everyone praises her. Your name isn't mentioned once.

5. 5

   Keeping Your Plans Secret

   You're interviewing for a new job. You haven't told your team, your friends, or even your cousin.

6. 6

   Playing Hard To Get

   You like someone. You'd love to reply straight away. But your friend grabs your phone and says, “Wait an hour. Don't look too keen.”

7. 7

   Being Feared Or Being Liked

   You've just been put in charge of a team. Being friendly isn't working. Deadlines slip and people joke about it. Someone says you need to be tougher.

8. 8

   Using Contacts To Get Ahead

   You and your friend applied for the same job. You had better marks. Her uncle knows the director. She starts on Monday.

9. 9

   How Children Get Their Way

   A four-year-old wants chocolate. Dad says no. So she asks Grandma instead, in her sweetest voice, while Dad is watching. She gets the chocolate.

10. 10

    Learning How Manipulators Think

    There's a famous book full of rules for gaining power: say less than you need to, keep people guessing, don't trust friends too much.

11. 11

    Why Being Too Nice Backfires

    You say yes to every extra task. You never argue in meetings. Everyone says you're lovely to work with. The colleague who pushes back gets the raise.

12. 12

    Realising You Were Played

    A friend always needed a small favour. Then a bigger one. Then money. Months later it clicks: every warm conversation came right before a request.