Last Updated on October 18, 2021 by
Sun Tzu is the one who said “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” On the internet, we keep our friends close and our enemies get closer. Connections on social media (like LinkedIn and Facebook) may not be who we think they are.
It’s a phrase that is often seen as an oxymoron because of the seemingly contrasting meanings. Yet, it is one of the most important pieces of advice to remember when dealing with any type of conflict. This blog will explore this cultural idiom and what you can do to improve your relationships by using this principle.
“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer” – this proverb is often used to describe the benefits of keeping a watchful eye on one’s adversaries. In business, it can be beneficial to know what they’re up to! Whether you’ve got a competitor who wants to take over or an industry titan who wants your customers, being aware of these people will help you prepare for any scenario.
In this blog post, we will discuss why keeping tabs on competitors and industries giants is so important in business today.
Meaning Of Keep Your Friends Close And Your Enemies Closer
It is a simple adage, but the meaning of it can be unclear. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer? Why would you want to do that? It’s important to understand the meaning of this phrase before drawing conclusions on what it means. Oftentimes people will say this as a warning or advice: if someone has betrayed you in some way, then it is best to keep them around so that they don’t have time to plot against you further. This phrase comes from the Latin proverb “Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur” which translates roughly as “A certain friend (orally) may be recognized even among uncertain circumstances.” Essentially, keeping an enemy close by allows for better understanding and control over their actions.
The phrase “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” may be an old one, but it still has merit today. If you’re in a position of power, the last thing you want is for people to get too comfortable with each other because that can lead to complacency or even collaboration. This means that if someone feels like they have something against you, don’t just ignore them; try and win them over instead! The worst thing you could do is loosen up around them – this will only make things worse for yourself.
Common Checklist Around This Phrase
1. The more friends you have, the higher your social status is.
2. You can make new friends by volunteering or joining a club.
3. Friends are good for your mental health; they provide emotional support and help with problem-solving. It’s important for your mental health not only to make new friends but also to maintain old ones – it’s easier for us as humans to form new bonds than reconnect with old ones.
4. A study found that people who had fewer than three close friends were twice as likely to die prematurely when compared to those with 10 or more close pals.
5. If you’re not happy with your current friendships, it’s time to find new ones!
6. Your enemies are great sources of information – use them wisely! They know things about other people that you might not be aware of like their weaknesses and what makes them tick so don’t underestimate the importance of an enemy in this world!
7. The most common way to get into a fight is over money
8. A study found that people with more friends are less likely to experience depression
9. People who have social support are less likely to feel lonely, which can lead to lower blood pressure and improved immune system function.
10. An article published in the Journal of Social Science found that those who had close relationships were more satisfied with their lives than those without close friendships or family ties.
11. Be careful about how much you share on social media – you never know who might be watching (i.e., potential employers).
Conclusion
As a business owner, it is important to be aware of the actions and intentions of your competitors. You may even want to try different tactics from them as long as they are within ethical boundaries. What have you learned about competitive intelligence by reading this blog post? Have any new insights been gleaned on how you can use information gathered through research for your own marketing strategy?
