The 48 Laws of Power

Be wary of friends-they will betray you more quickly, for they are easily aroused to envy. They also become spoiled and tyrannical. But hire a former enemy and he will be more loyal than a friend, because he has more to prove. In fact, you have more to fear from friends than from enemies. If you have no enemies, find a way to make them.

Recruiting is one big group hug, right? Sure. Recruiters are friendly as long as no fee is involved! One problem with having friends who are recruiters is that they'll yes you to death. You know how this works in the recruiting blogosphere? It's called strategic alignment and is very much like a government sponsored inbreeding program.

Enemies bring diversity and I'm not necessarily talking about race, religion or sexual proclivity. Diversity brings tension - good tension as in competitiveness and something to prove - that can result in higher productivity.

How about recruiting leaders? While it's sexy to focus on the low hanging fruit that presents itself as clear as day, I say bunk! You need to focus on the hiring managers who have been writing poison pen letters about recruiting's performance to their boss and your boss. Lovely...nothing quite like hiring managers who are legends in their own minds.

Time to say nice things about these evil-doers...start by hoisting a glass on effusive praise in their honor to their bosses, how professionally challenging it is serving them as customers. Don't get mad, get mushy.

Come in as a new head of recruiting only to find that the person who thought they were the leading candidate for the position is still in the picture? Sounds like an opportunity to make them the 1A person in the group; sure they could sabotage your work but in all likelihood they'll recognize the responsibility and perform at a superstar level (it doesn't make any sense to worry about them taking your job in this instance as long as you do what you've been recruited to do).

You get the picture. Remember what Honest Abe said, "You destroy an enemy when you make them a friend." Finally, keep in mind that when there are no enemies around, it's easy to get lazy.

Recruiters...one thing for certain, if you write a blog you'll have enemies! Even as a recruiter who is part of a group, egos can turn into enemies. What's a hard working headhunter to do? Same as your boss - effusive praise both to your boss and as part of group meetings. Borrow a technique, use it, and report back on how effective it was. Then offer your enemy one of yours...

Enmity paralyzes while hospitality energizes.

The 48 Laws of Power