"Use the wisdom, knowledge, and legwork of other people to further your own cause. Not only will such assistance save you valuable time and energy, it will give you a godlike aura of efficiency and speed." — Robert Greene
Are you working hard or working smart?
We are taught in school: "Do your own homework." "Don't copy."
In the real world, this is bad advice. In the world of power, doing everything yourself is a sign of weakness, not strength.
In Part 7 of The 48 Laws of Power series, we explore Law #7: Get Others to Do the Work for You, but Always Take the Credit. This is the secret of every CEO, every General, and every Master.
1. The Genius vs. The Master
The history of electricity is a tale of two men: Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison.
The Difference
Tesla (The Worker): He was a genius. He worked 18 hours a day. He invented AC electricity, radio, and radar. But he wanted to do everything himself. He cared about "The Work."
Edison (The Master): He was a businessman. He wasn't a great scientist. He hired a team of scientists (including Tesla). He made them solve the problems.
The Result: Edison took the credit, the patents, and the money. He died a multimillionaire hero. Tesla died poor and alone in a hotel room.
Lesson: Being a genius is not enough. You must learn to leverage the genius of others.
2. Why You Must Delegate
Your time and energy are limited.
If you write every email, code every line, and pack every box, you are human. You will get tired. You will make mistakes.
But if you have 10 people working for you:
• You can be in 10 places at once.
• You can solve 10 problems at once.
• To the outside observer, you appear God-Like. "How does he do so much?" "He is a machine!"
You are not a machine; you are a Master of Puppets. You are trading money for the most valuable resource: Time.
3. The Art of Credit Stealing
This sounds unethical, but it is standard practice.
• Politicians: Do they write their own speeches? No. A speechwriter writes it. The politician reads it and gets the applause.
• Authors: Do celebrities write their autobiographies? No. A ghostwriter writes it. The celebrity puts their name on the cover.
• Architects: Does the lead architect draw every line? No. Interns do the work. The Lead Architect signs the blueprint.
The Rule: In the hierarchy of power, credit flows UP. The person at the top gets the glory for the work done at the bottom. Accept this, or stay at the bottom.
4. Real-Life Examples (Indian Context)
The IT Service Giants (Infosys/TCS)
These companies are built on Law #7.
Thousands of junior engineers do the coding (The Work). The CEO and the Brand get the contracts and the stock value (The Credit).
The client pays for the "Infosys Brand," not for "Rahul the Junior Developer." The system is designed to leverage the work of the many for the profit of the few.
The Content Creator & AI
Today, Law #7 is easier than ever thanks to AI.
A smart creator uses ChatGPT to write the script, Midjourney to make the image, and an Editor to cut the video.
The creator just uploads it.
The audience says, "Wow, You made a great video!"
The creator smiles and takes the credit. This is modern power. You are the conductor, not the orchestra.
5. Delegation vs. Laziness
There is a fine line.
• Laziness: You don't want to work, so you dump it on others and don't check the quality. (Result: Failure).
• Law #7: You have a vision. You find the best people to execute it. You guide them. You curate the final output. (Result: Success).
You must have the skill to judge the work, even if you don't do the work. Edison knew enough science to know if Tesla's invention worked.
Key Takeaways
- Save Your Energy: Never do what you can pay someone else to do. Conserve your fire for the big decisions.
- Stand on Giants: Use the knowledge of the past. Don't reinvent the wheel; steal the wheel and put your car on it.
- Credit is Power: The one who takes the credit holds the power. Ensure your name is on the final product.
- Be the Face: Let others be the hands. You be the face and the brain.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Isn't this stealing?
A: If you hire them and pay them, it is Employment. If you take their work without permission, it is Plagiarism. Law #7 is about employment and leadership, not crime.
Q2: Won't people find out?
A: No one cares about the "process." They care about the "result." When you buy an iPhone, do you ask "Who assembled this?" No. You say "Steve Jobs was a genius."
Q3: How do I start if I have no money?
A: Use "Volunteers" or "Interns." Or partner with people where you provide the Vision and they provide the Labor (Equity split). Or use AI tools (cheap labor).
Up next: Part 8 – Make Other People Come to You (Law #8).
📚 Credit & Disclaimer:
This post is a summary based on the bestseller "The 48 Laws of Power" by Robert Greene. Content is for educational purposes only.
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