Most people have heard of Machiavelli, whose name has become synonymous with a cunning and power grabbing leader. But few people have actually read his classic book The Prince (Penguin Great Ideas). That’s too bad because this is actually a very clever book that has a lot of insights for us to ponder.

We have grown accustomed to using the word “Machiavellian” to describe duplicity or cunning (as Webster defines it), so we view The Prince as a blueprint for blood thirsty and dictatorial leaders. Even without reading the book we think it’s filled with nasty political tricks and brutal methods for wielding power. It’s true that all of that is in the book. And more. I’d add ruthless, selfish and violent. It’s a book that will make you squirm at times, especially in our enlightened 21st Century mindset.

But the book explores a lot more than just a raw power based leadership style. Well, okay, actually it doesn’t … but it does offer tidbits of information that can make any leader more effective. It can also hold a mirror to our face and make us question what our motivations are in certain decisions. It will challenge us to think about our own ambitions and what we are willing to do to achieve them.

I read the book every decade or so because it’s a classic with a lot to say about a certain style of leadership. Even though I take little away from it that is of benefit to my leadership style, it reminds me that others play by a different set of rules than I do.

In other words, it reminds me that being gentle as a dove is fine … but don’t stop being as shrewd as a serpent.