The Ethical Leader's Manifesto

48 Principles for Influence with Integrity

The 48 Laws of Power is a bestselling book by Robert Greene, first published in 1998. It draws on historical examples and strategies from figures such as Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and various political leaders to explain how power operates in society, particularly in politics, business, and interpersonal dynamics. The tone is deliberately amoral - focused on strategy, not ethics.

Let’s reframe the 48 Laws of Power into a more ethical, leadership-based framework focused on integrity, influence, emotional intelligence, and service.

These 48 Principles for Influence with Integrity retain the strategic insight of Greene’s laws but shifts the emphasis from manipulation and dominance to inspired, principled leadership.

PART 1: Personal Mastery & Character

1. Lead with humility and let others shine.
   Your job is to make others feel empowered, not outshone. Support your team’s growth, even as you remain quietly confident.
2. Build trust, but choose wisely.
   Discern character. Trust is earned and preserved by consistency. Trust others—yet evaluate character carefully.
3. Be transparent in intent.
   Let others see your values through your actions. Be clear, transparent, and values-driven in your intent.
4. Speak with clarity and purpose.
   Fewer words, more meaning. Thoughtful words carry more weight than many.
5. Guard your reputation by living your values.
   Trust travels on the back of character. Let your actions build a name others trust.
6. Seek contribution over attention.
   Let your impact be what gets noticed, not your noise. Be known for substance, not spectacle.
7. Share credit generously.
   True leaders elevate others. Lift others up and share credit generously.
8. Attract, don’t coerce.
   Lead through service, not control. Inspire, don’t manipulate—attract others through shared vision.
9. Let your actions speak louder than your plans.
   Influence through demonstration. Demonstrate value through performance, not persuasion alone.
10. Surround yourself with those who lift, not drain.
    Your circle shapes your trajectory. Surround yourself with people who elevate your purpose.

PART 2: Relationships & Emotional Intelligence

11. Cultivate interdependence, not dependence.
    Empower people to lead themselves. Build leaders, not followers.
12. Lead with kindness and courage.
    Softness and strength can coexist. Earn openness with sincerity.
13. Create win-win dynamics.
    Appeal to shared goals, not guilt or obligation. Frame collaboration around shared benefit.
14. Observe deeply, listen fully.
    What people say is often less than what they mean. Insight often comes through observation.
15. Face conflict with clarity and respect.
    Resolve, don’t retaliate. Seek resolution, not retribution.
16. Protect your energy with boundaries.
    Not every battle is yours to fight. Your presence is more powerful than your constant availability.
17. Create psychological safety.
    People thrive when they feel safe to speak. Be consistent, not erratic—earn trust through stability.
18. Stay connected to real-world perspectives.
    Don’t let your position isolate you from the truth. Isolation breeds blind spots; stay accessible and informed.
19. Know your people’s gifts and limits.
    Lead the individuals, not just the team. Customize your leadership to fit real people, not generic roles.
20. Remain independent in thought.
    Avoid being swept away by opinion or favour. Respect others’ opinions but stay true to your values.

PART 3: Communication & Influence

21. Recognise intelligence in others.
    Underestimation is the enemy of collaboration. Assume intelligence and potential in everyone.
22. Exercise patient strength.
    Sometimes yielding shows the deepest wisdom. Yielding when necessary can lead to long-term strength.
23. Focus your energy.
    Depth matters more than breadth. Prioritize depth over distraction.
24. Build alliances through service.
    Give more than you take. Influence flows from mutual regard.
25. Continually refine your identity.
    Great leaders are always becoming. Leadership is identity in action - keep refining both.
26. Stand for your principles, especially when it’s hard.
    Leadership is proven under pressure. Let others see your ethics in difficult choices.
27. Offer clarity in confusion.
    Be the voice of calm vision when others lose direction. People crave purpose - be the one who defines it.
28. Be bold in doing what’s right.
    Fortune favours the brave - and so does respect. Courage in principle creates lasting respect.
29. Think long. Move steady.
    Vision without patience is chaos. Be strategic, but stay flexible and open.
30. Stay grounded in success.
    Never forget the human side of your own rise. Stay approachable and humble as you climb.

PART 4: Strategy, Vision & Legacy

31. Think systemically.
    Make decisions that benefit the whole. Create paths where others feel empowered by your leadership.
32. Inspire through possibility.
    People move when they believe in a better future. Inspire possibility, not dependency.
33. Know what drives each person.
    Then speak to their strengths. Everyone has a lever - use it to lift, not control.
34. Carry yourself with quiet confidence.
    Earn respect without seeking attention. Act like a leader before you’re given the title.
35. Practice timing, not just action.
    Move when the moment is right, not when you feel pressure. Don’t rush; lead from rhythm, not reaction.
36. Let go of petty concerns.
    Focus on what outlasts you. Focus on your bigger mission, not momentary slights.
37. Use rituals and symbols to strengthen culture.
    Shared meaning builds shared identity. Rituals and vision give identity to teams.
38. Be authentic, wisely.
    Lead with your real self, adapted to the moment. Balance individuality with emotional intelligence.
39. Stay grounded when others are reactive.
    Your composure is part of your influence. When tensions rise, be the grounded voice.
40. Invest in what truly matters.
    People. Purpose. Principles. Invest in people, as well as outcomes.

PART 5: Legacy & Lifelong Impact

41. Honour tradition, but build your own path.
    Respect history, don’t be ruled by it. Respect the past, but don’t be bound by it.
42. Multiply leadership.
    Mentor those who will surpass you. Strengthen others so they can lead without you.
43. Win hearts, not just hands.
    Emotional loyalty runs deeper than obligation. Win trust through empathy and moral clarity.
44. Be a mirror for potential.
    Reflect back what others don’t yet see in themselves. Help people see their own potential.
45. Change steadily, not recklessly.
    Transformation that lasts is rooted in stability. Balance reform with stability.
46. Be human, not perfect.
    People connect with vulnerability, not image. Perfection alienates—realness connects.
47. Know when to pause.
    Sometimes restraint is the greatest power. Power grows when tempered by restraint.
48. Stay adaptable, anchored in your values.
    Be fluid in method, but firm in mission. Be fluid in form, firm in values.

Final Pledge

The Universal Purpose of a Company

A single-minded focus on profits has caused shareholder capitalism to become increasingly disconnected from the real economy and societal impact. Stakeholder capitalism, which positions private corporations as trustees of society, is a strong response to today’s social and environmental challenges.

David SeacombeDavid Seacombe