The Prince

1. Machiavelli argues that a leader should be both loved and feared, but that if you have to pick one, pick fear. What is your position on this? Have you any personal experience with these two positions?

2. Machiavelli argues that a Prince must always appear to be a good person for most will only ever see the appearance and not the reality. How important is it for a modern day leader to manipulate appearances?

3. Machiavelli argues that the Prince needs to make his people dependent on him so that they will support him. How could a modern business leader use this advice?

4. What modern political examples do we have of leaders who use fear to motivate others, who eliminate their opposition? Are there corporate equivalents?

5. Is it necessary to eliminate those who oppose you? What are some ways to accomplish this end? What are the organizational means to eliminate those who oppose you?