Rise of the Zeta Male

There are two basic forms of power when it comes to influence. There is “hard power” which uses might, strength, aggression and whatnot to push forward ideas; and there is “soft power” which involves more subtlety, persuasion, and a different line of thinking.

When you combine the two, you get what Joseph Nye refers to “Smart power”. And we in the MRM need to start generating a bit more smart power. We need to do it, and fast. The sooner we harness smart power the sooner we can get rid of people like Mary Kellet.

The first part of smart power is soft power. Soft power involves the spreading of ideas, creating allies on all sides, and from time to time a bit of schmoozing. Think tanks, lobbyists, and scholars are solid sources of smart power when it comes to generating thoughts into the people’s minds. Strong PR campaigns portraying those that support an idea in the most positive manner possible are another must in the world of soft power. Essentially, it is a more passive manner of creating and enforcing a group’s influence.

For more on soft power, hard power, and how we put it all together click here