Never assume that the person you are dealing with is weaker or less important than you are. — Robert Greene

Never assume that the person you are dealing with is weaker or less important than you are.

Author: Robert Greene

Insight: We carry invisible hierarchies in our heads all the time. The person behind the counter seems smaller than we are. The colleague with a different job title feels less relevant. Someone struggling financially appears less capable of affecting our lives. These quick judgments feel harmless, almost automatic, but they shape how we speak, listen, and behave in ways we rarely notice. The real cost isn't just about being rude. When you underestimate someone, you miss what they actually know, what they want, and what they're willing to do. History is full of stories where someone dismissed as powerless turned out to matter enormously—the admin who knew where everything was, the customer service rep who could solve your problem instantly, the person you hurt who never forgot. More subtly, assuming weakness prevents you from treating people with genuine respect, which means they sense it and respond accordingly. You get less honesty, less help, less cooperation. The practical insight is simpler: everyone has something you need or don't understand. Even people with less money, status, or formal education often have knowledge, connections, or influence you can't immediately see. Treating people as equals isn't just moral theater—it's how you actually stay sharp and avoid unnecessary enemies. The moment you assume you know someone's full measure is the moment you stop learning from them.

Source: The 48 Laws of Power, Law 1, 1998

Everyone has power you can't see

We carry invisible hierarchies in our heads all the time. The person behind the counter seems smaller than we are. The colleague with a different job title feels less relevant. Someone struggling financially appears less capable of affecting our lives. These quick judgments feel harmless, almost automatic, but they shape how we speak, listen, and behave in ways we rarely notice.

The real cost isn't just about being rude. When you underestimate someone, you miss what they actually know, what they want, and what they're willing to do. History is full of stories where someone dismissed as powerless turned out to matter enormously—the admin who knew where everything was, the customer service rep who could solve your problem instantly, the person you hurt who never forgot. More subtly, assuming weakness prevents you from treating people with genuine respect, which means they sense it and respond accordingly. You get less honesty, less help, less cooperation.

The practical insight is simpler: everyone has something you need or don't understand. Even people with less money, status, or formal education often have knowledge, connections, or influence you can't immediately see. Treating people as equals isn't just moral theater—it's how you actually stay sharp and avoid unnecessary enemies. The moment you assume you know someone's full measure is the moment you stop learning from them.

Never assume that the person you are dealing with is weaker or less important than you are. — Robert Greene

Everyone has power you can't see

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