Machiavelli writes that a prince should avoid founding their state on the people — avoid creating an organization for people by people. I think that’s because people are self-interested.

I am watching “Game of Thrones” now. I imagine if Machiavelli would write a television series, “Game of Thrones” would likely be it. I enjoy seeing concepts from “The Prince” played out in that fictional world.

I’m at a point in the show where Daenerys Targaryen is establishing her state. She has a belief in a state for and of free people — where slavery doesn’t exist. Daenerys doesn’t listen to her council, founds her state on the people, she ignores the effectual truth in favor of her ideals, and struggles. Why? People are largely self-interested.

What are the implications for the savvy leader?

1. Build upon an idea. Spread the idea and discover those that want to opt-in to the change you want to make.

2. Exclude. There are people who are not meant for your work, they don’t belong in your “state.” Remove them.

3. Recruit and lead. You don’t need to have dragons to create compliance. If you’re skilled, inspire people to want to build upon your idea and make it better. Punishments rarely make work better.

4. Balance ideals with realism. See the world as it is, not as you hope it to be. If you want to make change happen, you must deal with what’s in front of you.

I know of one leader, and reader of this blog, that sees the world as it is. She’s got a great idea to connect aging populations with experiences they want, and she gets people. She’s an effective idealist.