Chapter 58
Playing the Unwritten Rules
The day after the review, Borís, in his best uniform and with his comrade Berg’s best wishes for success, rode to Olmütz to see Bolkónski, wishing to profit by his friendliness and obtain for himself the best post he could—preferably that of adjutant to some important personage, a position in the army which seemed to him most attractive. “It is all very well for Rostóv, whose father sends him ten thousand rubles at a time, to talk about not wishing to cringe to anybody and not be anyone’s lackey, but I who have nothing but my brains have to make…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Real Power Network
Think about your workplace, family, or community group. Draw a simple diagram showing the official hierarchy (titles, positions) versus the real influence network (who actually gets things done, who people go to for advice, who has the boss's ear). Identify three people who have more real power than their official position suggests.
Consider:
- •Look for people who get consulted before big decisions, even if they're not in charge
- •Notice who has access to information first or can make things happen quickly
- •Consider who others trust and turn to when they need help or advice
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you tried to get something done through official channels but got nowhere. How might understanding the real power network have changed your approach?
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