Don't Be Afraid to Backstab
We all have that one friend who's on the fast track to success. Maybe they're up for a big promotion, or they've landed an audition for their big break. You know that once they're on the path to greatness, they'll take you along for the ride, right? After all, you've been through thick and thin together. You're best buds.
That's why it's so shocking when your friend suddenly kicks the ladder away, cuts the rope, or worse—has you dragged down a dark alley by the secret police.
In the game of power, a dictator must overcome external enemies, but it's often the people at your side who can pull the rug out from under you. That's why consolidating your growing influence is crucial.
Take a page out of Stalin's playbook. When a power vacuum opened up in the wake of Lenin's death in 1924, two contenders vied for leadership: Stalin and Trotsky. But the chair at the helm of the Soviet Union wasn't big enough for the both of them. Stalin knew this, and he acted swiftly. He purged anyone who wasn't an ally—or even looked like they weren't an ally.
The fact that he'd fought alongside Trotsky to overthrow the monarchy meant nothing to him now. Loyalty only mattered when it was absolute.
That's why you need to keep your ears open for rumors and gossip about dissent in your camp. Or better yet, start those rumors yourself. When it comes to loyalty, it's all or nothing. Make the bold first move before anyone else has the chance