Introduction

• In the realm of power dynamics, your value is determined by how much others depend on you. If you outlive your usefulness, you risk being discarded, much like the diligent cat in the fable.
• This concept is echoed in Robert Greene’s Law #11 from The 48 Laws of Power, which emphasizes that to maintain power and independence, one must always remain indispensable to others.

The Story of the Two Cats: A Lesson in Value

• The Diligent Cat: The first cat in the story catches all the mice quickly, solving the problem too efficiently. As a result, it loses its value to the owner and is discarded.
  • Lesson in Usefulness: By completely solving the problem, the cat becomes expendable. Its diligence leads to its downfall because once the mice are gone, the cat is no longer needed.
• The Clever Cat: The second cat takes a different approach, catching only a few mice occasionally. It leaves just enough mice around to remain valuable to the owner, ensuring its place in the household.
  • Sustained Relevance: By controlling the problem without fully solving it, this cat secures its position and becomes indispensable. The owner now relies on it for peace of mind and protection.

The Law of Power: Becoming Indispensable

• Dependence Equals Power: According to Law #11 of The 48 Laws of Power, the more people rely on you for their happiness, success, or stability, the more freedom and power you gain.
  • Maintaining Independence: Independence is preserved by making yourself irreplaceable. When others need you for their well-being, they cannot easily discard or overlook you.
• Avoid Full Transparency: Part of maintaining power lies in not teaching people everything. If others learn to manage without you, your value diminishes, just as the diligent cat became unnecessary once the mice were gone.

Recognizing the Dynamics of Value

• Why Some Feel Overlooked: Many people find themselves overworked, undervalued, or oppressed in their careers or personal lives because they fail to make themselves indispensable. They work hard, but without strategic awareness of power dynamics, they are often underappreciated.
  • Not Just Effort, but Strategy: Success and recognition aren’t purely the result of hard work but of understanding and leveraging the laws of power. Without a strategy to maintain your value, you risk being treated as disposable.

Practical Application of Law #11

• In Careers: In a professional setting, this law suggests that employees should become critical to the success of their teams or organizations, ensuring their contributions are uniquely valuable. Avoid over-teaching or making yourself easily replaceable.
  • In Personal Relationships: In personal dynamics, this law can help individuals foster interdependence. By becoming a source of happiness, support, or stability for others, they can solidify their importance in the lives of those around them.
• Strategic Control: The key is to solve problems without completely removing them, ensuring that your presence continues to be needed. Like the clever cat, leaving just enough to manage keeps others reliant on you.

Conclusion

• The story of the two cats highlights a vital lesson in power dynamics: true power lies in being indispensable. Robert Greene’s Law #11 teaches that to preserve your independence and freedom, you must make others depend on you without giving them the tools to fully do without you.
• Understanding this law allows you to navigate the complexities of career, relationships, and social interactions with greater awareness and control, ensuring your value is consistently recognized and maintained.