Jeeves and Cromwell

The ability to exert influence in the world is not necessarily ring-fenced to those who appear to be in power if we take lessons from models of influence. In the first of this series, I consider Wodehouse’s and Mantel’s contrasting protagonists and find certain patterns.

1. Concealment through composure
Neither Wodehouse’s Jeeves nor Mantel’s Thomas Cromwell blurts, flusters or reveals more than is necessary. Both are discreet and demonstrate the awareness and self-mastery to portray only what is useful, not what is immediately felt by them. This composure stops them revealing their unfiltered opinions and allows them to retain the good opinion of their (more powerful) acquaintances in circumstances where this was at risk of being lost. This is vital to retaining and developing influence.

2. Invisible hand
Both guide and suggest indirectly, understanding that the way to dominate is to appear merely helpful. Allowing credit to go elsewhere in each particular instance is an effective means of building a portfolio of successful manoeuvres - win the battle but be content appearing to have lost it (or appearing not even to have engaged in it) in order to win the war. Victory need not be seen by others to be real.

3. Systems of principle
Consistent application of principles leads to predictable consequences. Exactitude, discretion, service and efficiency can be used to preserve or impose harmony. Whether employed as a virtue (as in the case of Jeeves undertaking his vocation) or as a weapon (as in the case of Cromwell climbing the ladder), the application of a coherent system of principles leads to orderly and inevitable change. Notice the ‘if x then y’ pattern and use it to your advantage.

4. Practical intellect
The application of knowledge can either facilitate gentle correction or allow for the reshaping of the world order. It should be both encyclopaedic and forensic to be maximally effective.

5. Psychological sway
Whether you aim to beguile, soothe and prevent folly, or to do something weightier like change a nation’s foundations, using character-based insights to understand acquaintances and interlocutors facilitates desired outcomes. The first steps is understanding that people are the sum of their faculties, temperaments, desires, fears and fortunes. Write their ledger.

6. Weighty silence - being literally understated
In Jeeves’ case this is tactful - the verbal equivalent to bowing; in Cromwell’s it is through knowing the strategic value of the gaps between words as much as the words themselves. In both cases, they are polished and precise in their use of silence and pauses, achieving influence with minimal speech.