"Lord, protect me from my friends; I can take care of my enemies." — Voltaire
It is natural to want to help your friends.
When you get into a position of power (Start a business, Become a Manager), your first instinct is: "I should hire my best friend. We trust each other. It will be fun."
Robert Greene, in Law #2 of The 48 Laws of Power, warns that this is one of the deadliest mistakes a leader can make.
Friends bring emotion, entitlement, and envy into the workplace. Enemies bring clarity, gratitude, and performance.
1. The Historical Warning: A Bloody Betrayal
In the 9th Century, Michael III ruled the Byzantine Empire. He had a best friend named Basilius.
Basilius was a poor horse trainer. Michael loved him. He gave Basilius money, power, and titles. He even saved Basilius's life.
The Result of Generosity
Did Basilius feel grateful? No.
He felt inferior. Every gift from Michael reminded Basilius that he was just a charity case.
Eventually, Basilius became so consumed by envy and the need to prove his own power that he murdered Michael III and took the throne.
The Lesson: A friend you help often feels they "deserve" it. They become ungrateful tyrants. Never assume friendship equals loyalty in business.
2. Why You Can't Trust Friends
Why are friends dangerous in a professional setting?
- The Mask of Friendship: Friends hide their true feelings to avoid conflict. You never know what they truly think of your decisions.
- The Envy Factor: If you succeed and your friend doesn't, it creates a gap. They may smile, but deep down, they wonder: "Why him? Why not me? I knew him when he was nobody."
- The Entitlement: A friend expects special treatment. If you ask them to work harder, they get offended. "I thought we were friends!"
3. Why Enemies Make the Best Employees
This sounds crazy, but it is strategically sound.
The Scenario: You have an old enemy or a competitor. You offer them a job or a partnership.
The Psychology:
1. They did not expect it. They are shocked.
2. They feel they have to prove their loyalty to you.
3. They know you can fire them without guilt (because you are not friends).
4. They work harder than anyone else to secure their position.
Example: Abraham Lincoln
When Lincoln became President, he filled his cabinet with his political enemies (men who had insulted him). Why? Because they were the most talented men. He used their skills to save the country. A friend would have just agreed with him; enemies challenged him and made him better.
4. How to Apply This in 2026
Does this mean you should hate your friends? No. It means Keep Compartments.
The "No Friends" Hiring Policy
If you are starting a startup, hire strangers based on Merit (Skill).
• With a stranger, the relationship is transactional and clean. "You work, I pay."
• If they perform poorly, you can fire them.
• If you fire a friend, you lose the employee AND the friend.
The Facebook Lesson
Mark Zuckerberg started Facebook with his best friend, Eduardo Saverin.
As the company grew, Eduardo didn't keep up. Mark had to dilute his shares and push him out.
Result? A massive lawsuit and a destroyed friendship.
Business puts pressure on relationships that friendship cannot handle.
5. The Value of Conflict
Greene says: "Without enemies around us, we grow lazy."
An enemy keeps you sharp. They force you to focus.
If you don't have a clear enemy (competitor), define one.
• Pepsi defined Coke as the enemy.
• Apple defined IBM as the enemy.
Use the enemy to rally your team. "We must beat them." This creates a bond stronger than friendship.
Key Takeaways
- Hire on Merit: Never hire based on affection. Hire based on competence.
- Fear the Friend: Friends are prone to envy and ingratitude. Keep them for the weekend, not the workday.
- Use the Enemy: A former enemy has more to prove and will often be more loyal than a friend.
- Emotional Distance: Keep a professional distance at work. Familiarity breeds contempt.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What if my friend is actually the most skilled person?
A: It's risky. If you must hire them, set strict boundaries before you start. Define roles, salary, and what happens if things go wrong. Sign a contract.
Q2: Should I trust no one?
A: Trust, but verify. And know why you trust them. Trust a professional because their reputation depends on it. Don't trust a friend just because you like them.
Q3: How do I turn an enemy into a friend?
A: Do them a favor when they don't expect it. Or ask them for help (The Benjamin Franklin Effect). Once an enemy turns, their loyalty is ironclad.
Up next: Part 3 – Conceal Your Intentions (Law #3).
📚 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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