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People get ahead in life by using one of these two strategies

People get ahead in life by using one of these two strategies
Picture: Win McNamee/Getty

Donald Trump and Barack Obama's responses to conflict provide a window into very different - but successful - individuals.

The President-elect's track record with criticism tends to err on the aggressive, having clashed with The New York Times, Saturday Night Live and "crooked" Hillary through angry tirades on Twitter.

Barack Obama's public image is decidedly reserved, strengthened by his intellectualism. The two leaders appear to exhibit very different strategies for success.

Dominance

This strategy tends to induce fear. A group of undergraduates were instructed to work together for twenty minutes. Afterwards they, along with outside observers, were told to rate their peers based on level of respect, influence and which ones elicited fear.

Results showed that those who were perceived to be most influential also tended to be those people were most afraid of.

Prestige

We trust the people who know more than us – this is why we go to the doctors if we’re ill, and to barristers if we need legal advice.

This comes from a cultural expectation that wisdom and knowledge make people powerful, and deserve respect.

HT Qz

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