How Machiavelli's 'The Prince' Can Inspire Women to Succeed
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Here's your Money Briefing for Friday, October 29th. I'm J.R. Whalen for The Wall Street Journal. The gender pay gap, the glass ceiling, work-life balance, those are just a few of the challenges many women face in the 21st century workplace. Sure, you could surf the web looking up the myriad experts offering advice on how to overcome these obstacles, or you could revisit a 500-year-old guide for newly crowned princes and royals.
What I loved about Machiavelli and actually the reason that I think his work has endured is that he looks at everything very analytically, kind of removes emotion and and also morality from everything to look at. So what's your goal? How do you get there? What elements are in your way?
Coming up, we'll talk with author Stacey Vanek-Smith. Her new book examines the principles of Italian diplomat Niccolo Machiavelli and how they can be applied by women and men in today's workforce. That's after the break.
For centuries, royals and other leaders have turned to Machiavelli's book, The Prince, for guidance on gaining and holding power. But did you think you'd ever use it to try to land a job or negotiate a higher salary or fight gender discrimination in the workplace? Stacey Vanek-Smith has. She's the author of Machiavelli for Women, Defend Your Worth, Grow Your Ambition, and Win the Workplace. And she says that professional women can take a page from some of Machiavelli's philosophies. And she joins us now. Stacey, thank you so much for being here.
Thanks for having me.
What is the episode about and who is the guest author?
I'm so thrilled to be here.
So, Stacey, Machiavelli, this guy's name is synonymous with cutthroat, ruthless competition. Is that really what you're advocating for?
So it's a fair question. Machiavelli does not necessarily have the best reputation. I mean, if you say that your colleague is Machiavellian, that's probably not a compliment. No, I do not advocate for backstabbing or anything like that. What I loved about Machiavelli and actually the reason that I think his work has endured is that he looks at everything very analytically, kind of removes emotion and and also morality from everything. to look at, so what's your goal? How do you get there? What elements are in your way? And I thought for, dealing with something like gender discrimination or discrimination of other kinds in the workplace, emotions can run very high. It can be really hard to deal with these issues, both because they show up in material ways, i.e.
pay and promotions and things like that, but also it's a very emotional experience. So I thought that the ability to try to remove emotion as much as possible and look for ways forward to handle the situation, to handle the reality that you're in, was very useful, was very helpful.
Okay. And so you shouldn't kill the families of your vanquished foes?
Machiavelli did advocate killing the families of your vanquished foes because he was worried that they would start plotting against you. And, you know, that's a good that's a valid point. I do not advocate killing your vanquished foes in the workplace. The workplace has many issues, but we have made some progress. But, yes, that's definitely something he recommends and talks about. But I do not personally recommend that. No.
Okay. Now, we hear advice and recommendations all the time for people, namely women, navigating the workplace. What is it about Machiavellian principles that could be useful?
Why does Stacey Vanek-Smith believe Machiavelli is relevant to modern careers?
Let's start with the job interview.
So the job interview is interesting. One of the trickiest things for women in an interview situation or in advocating for, let's say, a raise or a promotion is
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–2:06
2
What is the episode about and who is the guest author?
2:06–4:01
3
Why does Stacey Vanek-Smith believe Machiavelli is relevant to modern careers?
4:01–9:02
4
Does Machiavellian advice mean endorsing ruthless or violent workplace tactics?
9:02–12:15
Speakers
3 identifiedMore from WSJ Your Money Briefing
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