This is the book by Jeffrey Pfeffer written in the year 2022.
The 7 rules are:
- Get Out of your own way
- Break the rules
- Appear Powerful
- Build a Powerful Brand
- Network Relentlessly
- Use your power
- Success excuses almost everything
Rule 1 – Get Out of Your Own Way
To get out of your own way, it means you need to do what is required by the situations you are being confronted. Do not accept any limitation, or conform to the expectation others put on you.
Acknowledge and accept who you are, and pursuing your own interests and agenda.
In order to get over your imposter syndrome, you need to push yourself into situation where you are uncomfortable.
Become a student of the people whose support you need
This phrase is very interesting. My interpretation of it, means I need to learn all about my audience, if I am promoting a particular electronics gadget, like the portable SSD!
By knowing what their interest, likes, problems they have, I can create a better solution, a better portable SSD that solve their issues.
As a student of my audience, I will gather and develop those information about them, have insights about their needs and wants, so that I can meet and solve their pain points.
Rule 2 – Break the Rules
Breaking the rules means taking the initiative to create things you want, not waiting for other to approve it. It involves having a different and unexpected behaviours, requiring you to being proactive and doing something.
This rule states that surprise works because it catches people off guard and it affects people’s cognitions and emotions.
It also share an interesting insight, that resistance to what you want to do is less than what you have expected, because most people are reluctant to confront you.
Jeffrey Pfeffer pointed out that it is more successful and productive to just do what you want and ask for forgiveness for something that you have done, instead of asking for approval beforehand.
He said that when you have completed the thing you want, it becomes difficult to undo it. Usually people may just accept what you have done, provided it is a good thing that you wish to accomplish and benefit others.
Rule 3 – Appear Powerful
This rule states that if you want to attain and maintain power, you need to appear powerful. The way you show up and determine how others will treat you and think about you.
According to social psychologist Robert Cialdini, you only have one chance to make a first impression. This is a very interesting observation.
You may want to read this book, “Why should Anyone Be Led By You?” by Rob Goffee and Gareth Jones. They pointed out that if you show up in a way that inspires confidence in your capabilities, people will likely follow you. We all prefer to be with the winners.
This rule also talk about emotions and behaviours, both are contagious. When you project confidence, others are more likely to follow and support you.
Overconfidence will lead you to get a higher social status as it will signal to others that you are competence.
Below is a table showing you what are the ways to appear power, in nonverbal way:
| More gestures |
| More open body posture |
| Less interpersonal distance (placing oneself closer to others) |
| More controlled arm and hand gestures |
| Louder voice |
| More successful interruptions of others |
| More speaking time |
| Longer gazing time |
| Higher visual dominance ratio (look + talk > look + listen) |
| More disinhibited laughs |
The words that you speak is also very important. Words shape how we think. Both body language and spoken language has an effect on how others perceive you. Therefore, learn how to appear confident, attractive, and powerful in multiple ways in your daily life.
Rule 4 – Build a Powerful Brand
One of the ways to build a powerful brand, according to this rule, is to associate yourself with other people or organization that are prominent and famous.
Laura Chau, Commerce Tech partner at Canaan, using podcast, newsletter, weekly show, blogging, conference appearances to help her develop a strong brand in the venture community. This is one of the ways you could learn from her, to build your own powerful brand in your chosen community.
Building a website and create useful, impactful blog post can be an effective way to build a powerful brand as well.
This is exactly what I am doing here at Brain Power Building.
This is one of the exercises you can think about building a brand of your own: Describing yourself and your accomplishments that show your expertise, what kind of experiences that you have accumulated. Integrate that into a personal story.
For example, you may want to build a service using robotics from FieldAI, to do cleaning services in a workplace, as companies getting difficulty to find suitable and capable cleaners to do the job. The robotics can be used for security services too, if you can program their brains to do the job.
You can develop a “Look” to build a powerful brand for yourself. Using clothes or physical appearance as a brand is an idea you can adopt.
Another way to build a brand for yourself, is to do as many things as possible to become known.
Take credit of your own work. Do not depends on your bosses or colleagues, because they are busy and usually only care about their own agenda. They will not notice or credit your accomplishments. Be willing to tell your story.
Rule 5 – Network Relentlessly
This rule emphasise the importance of building relationships and interacting with people you wish to associate with, for your career success.
If no one knows you or notice you, your capability, knowledge and experience will be invisible to most of them.
As the old rule saying, “It is not what you know but who you know” that is importance. You need to spend enough time interacting with useful people.
Looking back at my past career, I should learn about this rule many years ago. It is still not too late to start now to expand my network. Get to know those successful people I wish to associate with, and they will help me in my future career, or even in my new business.
Rule 6 – Use Your Power
This rule talk about, the more you use your power, the better it become. Power is unlimited. It is renewable. Therefore, do not be afraid to use it.
How do you use your power? You can structure the world you live in around you, changing who you like to work with, and find ways to get others to support you. Use the power you have.
Rule 7 – Success excuses almost everything
When you have achieved success, people tend to forget what method/approach you used to realise the success.
In Conclusion
If you want to grow, thrive, and make an impact, these principles can guide you forward. They’re simple, practical, and designed to help you shine in any situation.
Seek Support (Rule 5)
Identify the people who can make a difference in your journey — mentors, colleagues, or even friends — and reach out to them. Success is rarely a solo effort.
Build Your Brand (Rule 4)
Craft a short and clear statement that tells others who you are and what makes you unique. This personal brand becomes the foundation of how people remember and trust you.
Show Confidence (Rule 3)
Your presence matters. Use your expressions, body language, and words to project strength and positivity. Confidence inspires trust and attracts opportunities.
Stop Holding Back (Rule 1)
Don’t let fear or self-doubt stop you. Forget about what others might think — focus on what you want to achieve. Often, the biggest obstacle is the one we create in our own minds.
Think Outside the Box (Rule 2)
Be willing to bend the rules and surprise others with fresh, resourceful strategies. Innovation and creativity are what make you unforgettable.
