Nurses have been voted the most trusted profession in America for the last 20 years according to Gallup’s Honesty & Ethics Poll . The truth behind the numbers is due to the fact that nurses actually lie. Honesty and ethics are great virtues but the power of nursing really comes down to our ability to influence others. It is like a Jedi mind trick using an unseen force or power most people don’t understand. Like waving a hand in front of their faces, there are secret tools described in The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Green that can be applied to nursing in a meaningful way. This information can also be applied to other disciplines or specialties. I will use three laws in the book as reference. These are interpreted as lies to live by with a real world explanation of the lessons. The disclaimer in the introduction of the book provides a warning that this information can be used both for good and for evil. It gives you an ability to attain power and like the famous line from Spider-Man, “With great power comes great responsibility.” The book provides great historical narratives on how these laws were applied. It all depends on how you use it and be advised, this is a lesson for advanced healers only.
Lie #1: Never Outshine the Master
"Always make those above you feel comfortably superior. In your desire to please and impress them, do not go too far in displaying your talents or you might accomplish the opposite, inspire fear and insecurity. Make your masters appear more brilliant than they are and you will attain the heights of power."
Let’s face it, the doctors are the masters of medicine. This applies not to just doctors but anyone who holds a position of power over you. Flattery is your friend and you will find their attitudes toward you will change. I made it a point to point out all the achievements and calls that residents have made that led to a patient’s positive outcome and elevate them in front of their attending and peers. I prefer to stand behind idea given by a superior, improving it, and giving them credit. You may notice that they begin asking for your opinion in private. You will see that whenever you question an order or policy, they will take you more seriously. If you make a mistake, they are more likely to forgive you or cover for you. Overall, this will improve your work experience and improve morale throughout the department by these displays of the master going out of their way to accommodate one of their devoted admirers. Give credit to them on every decision and watch them eat it up. Ask them questions that you know the answer to which makes them feel smarter than you. Feign ignorance and they will pity your stupidity. It is this lie that you can use to leverage your movement upward. When you are finally in the position to make the change you want, you can drop the act and your voice will have the necessary weight behind it.
Lie #2: Win Through Your Actions, Never Through Argument
"Any momentary triumph you think you have gained through argument is really a Pyrrhic victory. The resentment and ill will you stir up is stronger and lasts longer than any momentary change of opinion. It is much more powerful to get others to agree with you through your actions without saying a word. Demonstrate, do not explicate."
Always tell other people that they’re right even if they’re wrong. Arguing is a waste of time and energy. If someone loses an argument, they will look for an opportunity to throw you under the bus. It’s not worth it long term for a short term victory. This is a lie that maintains the peace and mitigates emotional responses between all parties. There are times when you have to demonstrate obedience in order to gain a perception of value to your master. One example is a “medication scanning rate” metric used by administration in a facility I’ve worked for before. This metric, along with attendance record, were the only metrics that could be used to determine the quality of employee you were. Be mindful of the metrics and reflect that your actions to be in alignment with the goals of the department. Then when it’s time to suggest changes, show them a better way and they will listen.
Lie #3: Re-Create Yourself
"Do not accept the roles that society foists on you. Re-create yourself by forging a new identity, one that commands attention and never bores the audience. Be the master of your own image rather than letting others define if for you. Incorporate dramatic devices into your public gestures and actions – your power will be enhanced and your character will seem larger than life.”
Do you. Let the haters hate. Don’t let anyone make you feel inferior. If you are lying to yourself because of what other people think then let’s lie about who we are by doing the things of the person we want to become. Do what you love and express that openly. This is the ultimate freedom. Your magnetism will naturally increase because people feed off of those that are true to themselves. They admire and envy that type of courage. You decide what you want people to see to create an ideal image of yourself. Don’t lose heart if you fall short and keep trying. If you simply do the things of the person you want to become, you will eventually become that person. I am not a writer but if I keep writing, I will become one. It’s not what you do for a living that determines your identity. It’s your actions that decide who you are. This will have a trickle down effect in the way you perform your work. Your coworkers will feel it, your patients will feel it, your superiors will feel it. Your love life will improve. They all will recognize that you have a confidence that is the prerequisite for success. Choose key moments to display who you are. Whenever there’s a project outside the normal day to day operations, volunteer for a part that you have an interest in. Personally, I used a committee project to create video for the department which got positive attention from the board of directors. This reflected positively on the department’s administration and I attained a bargaining chip to trade when negotiating things like promotions or schedule requests. This will serve you well in creating the life you want.