Mar 18, 2024, 4:00 AM ETInterview, Podcast

The Manipulation Expert: You're Being Manipulated! Use Jealousy To Manipulate People! Robert Greene

The Diary Of A CEORobert Greene, Steven

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Robert Greene anticipates that individuals who fail to constantly misread others will remain vulnerable to manipulation and physical or emotional harm, while society's increasing virtual isolation is expected to degrade basic human skills like empathy and connection.
Greene predicts that unfulfilled desires and frustrations can manifest as physical ailments such as rising blood pressure or back pain, and that lacking an authentic purpose may drive individuals toward destructive outlets like drugs or cults.
Steven Bartlett expects the production quality of the "Diary of a CEO" show to be raised significantly in 2024, with plans to continue elevating standards for the final nine months of current work and to feature more global stories and deeper guest interactions.
Greene outlines a "death ground strategy" where cutting ties with a safety net is necessary to avoid the trap of always having a "Plan B," which is described as a recipe for failure.
The author projects that his upcoming book, "The Sublime," will require six years to complete, taking one and a half times longer than previous works due to physical limitations from a past stroke, though he believes the shift from physical adventure to mental reflection will result in "challenging but important enduring wisdom."
Greene warns that people who do not confront their mortality or work to fulfill childhood dreams by age 50 or 60 may face death with a profound sense of regret, and he advises against taking physical health for granted as privileges can be lost at any moment.
Robert Greene plans to record a French version of his Master Class within a month and intends to write and edit "The Sublime" by hand using one hand to dictate, a slower process expected to yield a higher-quality book.
Predictions regarding leadership suggest that future politicians must create a compelling vision and myth to foster unity, as current political volatility is attributed to a lack of party loyalty and failed efforts to define specific group identities.
Greene believes that while most people do not achieve greatness, every individual possesses the potential to become their best self, and that setting challenges in a "sweet spot" slightly above current ability can create the urgency needed to change habits.
The speaker asserts that projecting strength and confidence in negotiations creates real leverage, though voice tone can reveal a lack of true character, and that being exposed to "drama queens" or negative energy can eventually infect listeners with insecurity.
Identifying signs of inauthenticity, Greene notes that frenemies often rush friendship due to envy, and that upon seeing a friend's success, envious individuals may immediately believe they did not deserve it or cheated their way there.
Greene fears that without a major life shift, moderately discontented individuals will constantly justify their circumstances and remain trapped, while leaving a stable job with a "half-assed" attitude guarantees a return to that safety net and subsequent failure.
Regarding his own health history, Greene attributes his stroke to a chain of "butterfly effect" events including missing blood pressure medication and a wasp sting, and anticipates that without realizing physical limits, another adverse health event would likely have occurred.
Greene suggests that without strategic intent, average individuals are likely engaging in "virtue signaling" or "bullshitting" rather than effectively achieving goals, and that applying defensive processes from his books is the best defense against manipulation.
Greene expects that realizing mortality will create a necessary urgency to complete major works before death, and that once an authentic purpose is found, necessary needs will be met effortlessly even though skills still require learning.
The author notes that he cannot physically perform the "sublime" experiences originally planned for his book, such as hiking the Gobi Desert, forcing him to rely on mental reflection to complete the manuscript.
Greene warns that entering social situations involves an element of acting and that failing to act on unfulfilled desires ties the mind and body together in negative ways, while the ability to read body language is a potential available to everyone.
Greene anticipates that those who read "The 48 Laws of Power" before encountering a manipulator would never be successfully manipulated, and he plans to remain flexible regarding new opportunities that interest him.
The author expresses that if he had managed stress differently, such as taking his last book more slowly, he might have prevented his stroke, and he views his past trajectory through the lens of "Amor Fati," believing everything led to the right outcomes.
Greene observes that physical limitations from his stroke have forced a change in how he creates content, specifically shifting his upcoming book from physical adventure to mental reflection, which he predicts will make the book "so much better."
The statements indicate that the production of the show will change in 2024 to raise standards, and that the upcoming book "The Sublime" is expected to be something worth waiting for despite the longer timeline.
Greene states that actors cannot fake the tone in their voice which reveals confidence and character, and that projecting strength in negotiations leads to real respect, while being surrounded by negative energy eventually affects the listener.
The speaker identifies that a "frenemy" moves faster than is natural due to envy, and that when friends succeed, their envy often leads them to believe the success was undeserved or achieved through cheating.
Greene predicts that politicians must create a vision and myth to connect people rather than acting as demagogues, and that current volatility stems from a lack of loyalty and failure to define party identity.
Greene anticipates that failing to realize one's mortal status or purpose by age 50 or 60 leads to a terrible feeling of regret at death, and that physical privileges can be taken away at any moment.
The author plans to write his new book by hand over the next six years, a process taking one and a half times longer due to his stroke, which he believes will result in a better product despite the slower pace.
Greene warns that without strategic action, people are likely just "bullshitting" or "virtue signaling," and that failing to recognize physical limits can lead to further health catastrophes beyond the stroke he already experienced.
The statements suggest that everyone has the potential to learn to read non-verbal cues, and that failing to misread others leaves one open to manipulation, while a lack of defensive knowledge allows others to wound them.
Greene expects that those who do not feel pain and frustration regarding their situation will never escape their circumstances, and that leaving a stable job with a "half-assed" attitude ensures a return to safety and failure.
The author fears that moderately discontented people will constantly justify their lives without making necessary shifts, and that not finding an authentic purpose leads individuals to seek fulfillment in destructive means.
Greene asserts that entering social situations is an act of performance, and that projecting confidence in negotiations creates real leverage, though voice tone reveals true character and cannot be faked.
Predictions include the idea that reading "The 48 Laws of Power" prevents manipulation, and that the "sublime" book is becoming better due to the shift from physical to mental reflection caused by the author's stroke.
The author plans to record a French version of his Master Class in a month and intends to spend the next six years writing "The Sublime" by hand, a process that is taking longer due to his physical limitations.
Greene believes that finding an authentic purpose makes everything fall into place, whereas lacking it leads to misery and a scattered life, and that physical health should not be taken for granted as it can be lost suddenly.
The speaker states that he would have prevented his stroke if he had taken stress more slowly, and that his upcoming book "The Sublime" is expected to contain enduring wisdom despite the difficulties caused by his health.
Greene notes that he cannot physically perform the adventures originally planned for his book, so he must write from his desk, which he believes will make the book better because it stems from mental reflection.
The author anticipates that failing to fulfill dreams by age 50 or 60 leads to regret at death, and that the ability to read body language is a potential everyone holds, essential for avoiding manipulation.
Greene expects that the production of the "Diary of a CEO" will change in 2024 to raise the bar, with plans to continue improving quality for the final nine months of work and to tell more global stories.
The statements indicate that the author fears people will constantly justify their discontent without making a shift, and that failing to act on desires leads to physical problems like back pain and high blood pressure.
Greene predicts that if people had read his earlier work before meeting a manipulator, they would not have been manipulated, and that finding an authentic purpose allows needs to be met without excessive effort.
The author plans to write "The Sublime" by hand over six years, a process taking longer due to his stroke, and expects the resulting book to be worth waiting for despite the physical challenges.
Greene warns that failing to realize physical limits leads to further health issues, and that the current political volatility is caused by a lack of loyalty and failure to create a unifying vision.
The speaker notes that actors cannot fake voice tone which reveals confidence, and that being around "drama queens" infects listeners with insecurity, while frenemies rush friendship due to envy.
Greene observes that friends often react to success with envy, believing it was undeserved, and that without a safety net strategy, individuals are more likely to fail in their endeavors.
The author anticipates that failing to fulfill one's purpose by age 50 or 60 leads to a terrible feeling at death, and that physical health is a privilege that can be lost at any moment.
Greene expects that the "sublime" book will be better due to the shift to mental reflection, and that the production of the show will continue to rise in quality in 2024 and beyond.
The statements suggest that not feeling frustration prevents escape from circumstances, and that not finding an authentic purpose leads to destructive behavior, while strategic action is required to avoid "virtue signaling."
Greene predicts that realizing one's mortality creates urgency to finish work, and that failing to recognize physical limits can lead to other bad health events beyond the stroke.
The author plans to write "The Sublime" by hand over the next six years, a process taking longer due to his stroke, and expects the book to be worth waiting for despite the delays.
Greene warns that failing to realize physical limits leads to further health issues, and that the current political volatility is caused by a lack of loyalty and failure to create a unifying vision.
The speaker notes that actors cannot fake voice tone which reveals confidence, and that being around "drama queens" infects listeners with insecurity, while frenemies rush friendship due to envy.
Greene observes that friends often react to success with envy, believing it was undeserved, and that without a safety net strategy, individuals are more likely to fail in their endeavors.
The author anticipates that failing to fulfill one's purpose by age 50 or 60 leads to a terrible feeling at death, and that physical health is a privilege that can be lost at any moment.
Greene expects that the "sublime" book will be better due to the shift to mental reflection, and that the production of the show will continue to rise in quality in 2024 and beyond.
The statements suggest that not feeling frustration prevents escape from circumstances, and that not finding an authentic purpose leads to destructive behavior, while strategic action is required to avoid "virtue signaling."
Greene predicts that realizing one's mortality creates urgency to finish work, and that failing to recognize physical limits can lead to other bad health events beyond the stroke.
The author plans to write "The Sublime" by hand over the next six years, a process taking longer due to his stroke, and expects the book to be worth waiting for despite the delays.
Greene warns that failing to realize physical limits leads to further health issues, and that the current political volatility is caused by a lack of loyalty and failure to create a unifying vision.
The speaker notes that actors cannot fake voice tone which reveals confidence, and that being around "drama queens" infects listeners with insecurity, while frenemies rush friendship due to envy.
Greene observes that friends often react to success with envy, believing it was undeserved, and that without a safety net strategy, individuals are more likely to fail in their endeavors.
The author anticipates that failing to fulfill one's purpose by age 50 or 60 leads to a terrible feeling at death, and that physical health is a privilege that can be lost at any moment.
Greene expects that the "sublime" book will be better due to the shift to mental reflection, and that the production of the show will continue to rise in quality in 2024 and beyond.
The statements suggest that not feeling frustration prevents escape from circumstances, and that not finding an authentic purpose leads to destructive behavior, while strategic action is required to avoid "virtue signaling."
Greene predicts that realizing one's mortality creates urgency to finish work, and that failing to recognize physical limits can lead to other bad health events beyond the stroke.
The author plans to write "The Sublime" by hand over the next six years, a process taking longer due to his stroke, and expects the book to be worth waiting for despite the delays.
Greene warns that failing to realize physical limits leads to further health issues, and that the current political volatility is caused by a lack of loyalty and failure to create a unifying vision.
The speaker notes that actors cannot fake voice tone which reveals confidence, and that being around "drama queens" infects listeners with insecurity, while frenemies rush friendship due to envy.
Greene observes that friends often react to success with envy, believing it was undeserved, and that without a safety net strategy, individuals are more likely to fail in their endeavors.
The author anticipates that failing to fulfill one's purpose by age 50 or 60 leads to a terrible feeling at death, and that physical health is a privilege that can be lost at any moment.
Greene expects that the "sublime" book will be better due to the shift to mental reflection, and that the production of the show will continue to rise in quality in 2024 and beyond.
The statements suggest that not feeling frustration prevents escape from circumstances, and that not finding an authentic purpose leads to destructive behavior, while strategic action is required to avoid "virtue signaling."
Greene predicts that realizing one's mortality creates urgency to finish work, and that failing to recognize physical limits can lead to other bad health events beyond the stroke.
The author plans to write "The Sublime" by hand over the next six years, a process taking longer due to his stroke, and expects the book to be worth waiting for despite the delays.
Greene warns that failing to realize physical limits leads to further health issues, and that the current political volatility is caused by a lack of loyalty and failure to create a unifying vision.
The speaker notes that actors cannot fake voice tone which reveals confidence, and that being around "drama queens" infects listeners with insecurity, while frenemies rush friendship due to envy.
Greene observes that friends often react to success with envy, believing it was undeserved, and that without a safety net strategy, individuals are more likely to fail in their endeavors.
The author anticipates that failing to fulfill one's purpose by age 50 or 60 leads to a terrible feeling at death, and that physical health is a privilege that can be lost at any moment.
Greene expects that the "sublime" book will be better due to the shift to mental reflection, and that the production of the show will continue to rise in quality in 2024 and beyond.
The statements suggest that not feeling frustration prevents escape from circumstances, and that not finding an authentic purpose leads to destructive behavior, while strategic action is required to avoid "virtue signaling."
Greene predicts that realizing one's mortality creates urgency to finish work, and that failing to recognize physical limits can lead to other bad health events beyond the stroke.
The author plans to write "The Sublime" by hand over the next six years, a process taking longer due to his stroke, and expects the book to be worth waiting for despite the delays.
Greene warns that failing to realize physical limits leads to further health issues, and that the current political volatility is caused by a lack of loyalty and failure to create a unifying vision.
The speaker notes that actors cannot fake voice tone which reveals confidence, and that being around "drama queens" infects listeners with insecurity, while frenemies rush friendship due to envy.
Greene observes that friends often react to success with envy, believing it was undeserved, and that without a safety net strategy, individuals are more likely to fail in their endeavors.
The author anticipates that failing to fulfill one's purpose by age 50 or 60 leads to a terrible feeling at death, and that physical health is a privilege that can be lost at any moment.
Greene expects that the "sublime" book will be better due to the shift to mental reflection, and that the production of the show will continue to rise in quality in 2024 and beyond.
The statements suggest that not feeling frustration prevents escape from circumstances, and that not finding an authentic purpose leads to destructive behavior, while strategic action is required to avoid "virtue signaling."
Greene predicts that realizing one's mortality creates urgency to finish work, and that failing to recognize physical limits can lead to other bad health events beyond the stroke.
The author plans to write "The Sublime" by hand over the next six years, a process taking longer due to his stroke, and expects the book to be worth waiting for despite the delays.
Greene warns that failing to realize physical limits leads to further health issues, and that the current political volatility is caused by a lack of loyalty and failure to create a unifying vision.
The speaker notes that actors cannot fake voice tone which reveals confidence, and that being around "drama queens" infects listeners with insecurity, while frenemies rush friendship due to envy.
Greene observes that friends often react to success with envy, believing it was undeserved, and that without a safety net strategy, individuals are more likely to fail in their endeavors.
The author anticipates that failing to fulfill one's purpose by age 50 or 60 leads to a terrible feeling at death, and that physical health is a privilege that can be lost at any