MALICIA AS A GAME OF POWER (9/07/25)

Welcome to MALICIA AS A GAME OF POWER, a blog series that explores the strategies of human interactions, including communication, conflict resolution, negotiation, and manipulation. It discusses leadership, personal branding, and online reputation management, providing practical strategies for influence and relationship-building. Through analysis and examples, the series aims to help readers navigate interpersonal relationships successfully.

In this installment, we will explore the 34th law of power in the book, the 48 laws of power by Robert Greene. You can buy a copy by clicking HERE.

LAW 34: BE ROYAL IN YOUR OWN FASHION. ACT LIKE A KING TO BE TREATED LIKE ONE.

This philosophy encourages individuals to embrace their unique identities and strengths with confidence, reminding us that true royalty comes from within. By cultivating a mindset of self-worth and dignity, you not only elevate yourself but also inspire those around you to recognize their own innate value. In a world often filled with comparisons and societal pressures, it’s vital to celebrate our individual journeys and the distinct qualities that make us who we are.

When we honor ourselves authentically, we create a ripple effect, encouraging others to shed their insecurities and fully express their true selves as well. This shared journey of empowerment fosters a stronger, more connected community where everyone feels valued and appreciated for their contributions. As we uplift each other, we collectively build a space that honors diversity and individuality, illustrating that self-acceptance is a powerful catalyst for positive change in our lives and the lives of those we touch.

Surround yourself with positivity, make decisions that reflect your principles, and carry yourself with grace. Remember, the way you present yourself to the world will often dictate how the world responds to you, so wear your crown proudly and let your actions set the standard for how others should treat you. By embodying kindness and confidence, you not only uplift yourself but also inspire those around you to rise to the same level of respect and dignity.

Each interaction is an opportunity to reinforce your values; therefore, choose your words and actions carefully, ensuring they align with the legacy you wish to leave behind. In moments of challenge, stand firm in your beliefs, knowing that your authenticity shines through even in the face of adversity. Embrace the journey of self-improvement, as every step forward brings you closer to becoming the best version of yourself.

How to Navigate the 34th Law of Power with an Ethical Compass

The 34th Law of Power, often summarized as “Be Royal in Your Own Fashion: Act Like a King to Be Treated Like One,” is a principle rooted in presenting an image of self-assurance, confidence, and inherent value. This law suggests that by embodying the outward characteristics of royalty—dignity, generosity, and an unshakeable belief in one’s own worth—others will naturally respond by granting you respect, deference, and the resources associated with high status. It is a psychological tool for influencing perception and, consequently, reality.

However, the pursuit of power and influence must be tempered by a strong ethical framework. Applying the 34th Law ethically means leveraging its psychological mechanisms without resorting to deceit, exploitation, or arrogance. It transforms the law from a tool of manipulation into a principle of genuine, value-driven leadership.Ethical Pillars for Implementing the 34th Law

To ensure an ethical application, one must focus on the substance behind the royal facade:

1. Authentic Self-Possession, Not Arrogance:

• The Ethical Approach: The “royal” demeanor should stem from deep, authentic self-respect and competence, not from a manufactured superiority complex. Ethically, this means putting in the work to earn the confidence you project. True self-possession is quiet, grounded, and secure, recognizing the value in oneself while respecting the value in others.
• The Unethical Pitfall: Using a show of arrogance, entitlement, or contempt for others to mask insecurity or a lack of substance. This damages relationships and is ultimately unsustainable.

2. Generosity and Reciprocity (The Royal Patron):

• The Ethical Approach: Historical royalty often maintained their status through calculated acts of generosity—patronage, providing protection, and bestowing honors. Ethically, this translates to being a leader who genuinely supports their team, shares credit, mentors subordinates, and contributes value far beyond what is strictly required. The power you accrue is used to lift others up.
• The Unethical Pitfall: Being a “tyrant” who hoards resources, demands service without offering commensurate value, or acts purely out of self-interest. This may grant short-term obedience but breeds resentment and instability.

3. Maintaining Dignity Through Integrity:

• The Ethical Approach: The royal image is preserved through consistency, transparency (where appropriate), and a commitment to one’s stated values. Ethical application of the 34th Law means avoiding petty disputes, refraining from gossip, and always honoring one’s word. A king’s word is his bond; an ethical leader’s word is their reputation.
• The Unethical Pitfall: Engaging in duplicitous behavior, making false promises, or allowing your actions to be inconsistent with your projected image. This quickly erodes trust, and without trust, the projected image of “royalty” collapses into farce.

4. Focusing on Service and Purpose:

• The Ethical Approach: The most ethical expression of the 34th Law is when the projected image of competence and authority serves a higher, positive purpose—leading a successful initiative, advocating for a just cause, or creating genuine value for a community or organization. The power is not an end in itself but a means to achieve constructive goals.
• The Unethical Pitfall: Adopting the “royal” persona solely for personal gain, luxury, or to dominate others, leading to a focus on superficial status rather than meaningful contribution.

Practical Ethical Application Steps

1. Define Your True Value: Identify the unique skills, expertise, and positive influence you bring to a situation. This is the foundation of your legitimate claim to a “royal” status.
2. Project Confidence, Not Conceit: Use body language, clear communication, and decisive action to project competence. Ensure your confidence is always paired with humility—a willingness to listen, learn, and admit mistakes.
3. Invest in Your Appearance and Environment: Presenting a professional, thoughtful image is an ethical signal that you respect your role, your time, and the people you are engaging with. This is not about extravagance but about care and quality.
4. Practice Strategic Generosity: Be liberal with praise, mentorship, and opportunities for others. Make deposits into your relational capital by being a reliable source of support and fair treatment.

By focusing on these ethical underpinnings, the 34th Law of Power becomes a framework for powerful, yet principled, leadership, ensuring that the influence you gain is both lasting and morally sound.

 The 34th law of power, through the eyes of an Angoleiro:

For those who walk the path of Capoeira Angola, the 34th Law of Power—Be Royal in Your Own Fashion: Act Like a King to Be Treated Like One—takes on a profound, almost spiritual significance. It is not about ostentatious wealth or inherited titles, but about the postura (posture), the inherent dignity, and the self-respect that define a true master, or Mestre.

In the roda (the circle where Capoeira is played), the Angoleiro learns to carry themselves with an internal regality, a quiet confidence that commands respect without demanding it. This “royalty” is earned through:

1. Mastery of the Jogo (Game): A Mestre’s authority is rooted in their deep, fluid knowledge of the movements, the songs (quadras and corridos), the rhythms of the berimbau, and the history of the art. Their every move—slow, deliberate, and efficient—is the expression of a cultivated mind and body. They don’t have to boast; their jogo speaks for them.
2. The Axé (Life Force/Energy): Royalty in Angola is synonymous with a strong axé. It’s the powerful, positive energy and presence they bring into the roda. When they enter, the energy shifts. They are the anchor, the one who sustains the fire and depth of the game. They hold the wisdom and the spirit of the lineage.
3. Self-Control and Patience: Acting like a king means never showing desperation, fear, or petty anger. A true Angoleiro maintains a calm, almost impenetrable demeanor. They are deliberate, observing the flow, waiting for the perfect moment to execute a dangerous rasteira (takedown) or a clever malandragem (trickery). Their patience is their power; they rule the space by not rushing the interaction.
4. Humildade (Humility) as a Crown: Paradoxically, the highest form of Capoeira “royalty” is not arrogance, but profound humility. A Mestre understands that the art is bigger than any single person. They serve the roda and the tradition. This genuine humility—the willingness to always be a student—is what makes their authority magnetic and legitimate, rather than tyrannical.

To be “royal in your own fashion” as an Angoleiro is to embody the legacy of the enslaved Africans who created this art as a form of cultural and physical resistance. It means carrying the weight of that history with dignity, showing that even without physical chains, one possesses an unbreakable spirit—the spirit of a sovereign within their own skin. Their postura is a statement: “I am worthy of respect because I respect the art, my ancestors, and myself.” They are treated like a king because they act like the living embodiment of the Rei da Capoeira (King of Capoeira).