How to Be Crafty

Always gather as much information as possible. Cunning people notice details that others overlook. They understand the hidden mechanisms at play—focusing on the true intentions behind actions rather than the surface-level reasons. The key to seeing things clearly is to gather all the information you can before making decisions. This can be as simple as observing your surroundings before leaving an anonymous note or as complex as conducting thorough research on someone you're about to interview to catch them off guard with sharp questions. In any situation, be vigilant and curious—being well-informed is never a disadvantage.

• To gain a full understanding, you need to slow down and take in the broader context. Often, those who aren't perceptive lack a balanced view and may fall into biased thinking. Be cautious of this bias and make an effort to consider all perspectives before taking action.

Adopt an impartial perspective. Cunning individuals aim to prevent their emotions or biases from influencing their perception and choices. They prefer to rely on objective, factual information. While it's simple to advise yourself to remain impartial, putting it into practice is far more challenging. Strive to distance yourself from, or at least manage, your emotions when confronted with tough decisions. No one has ever made a better choice because they were upset.

Think through all potential scenarios. Winston Churchill, the renowned British Prime Minister, was known for his sharp wit, among other talents. He was famous for delivering clever, quick comebacks on the spot. However, due to a speech impediment, most of his witty remarks were premeditated. He would anticipate possible objections and prepare responses in advance. Take a page from Churchill’s playbook. Before facing important situations, take time to visualize all the possible ways things might unfold and plan your responses accordingly.

• Even if things don’t go as planned, the worst-case scenario is simply that it turns out differently than you expected. But, you’ll be no worse off than if you hadn’t considered any outcomes at all.

Grow from your failures. Even the most experienced tricksters slip up now and then. If you're aiming to build confidence, mistakes are inevitable. Your plans will be uncovered, you might feel embarrassed, and you may need to apologize. Use these setbacks as opportunities to learn. Pay attention to the exact moments and reasons your plans failed, then make a conscious effort not to repeat them.

Understand yourself. The French philosopher Pierre Charron once wisely stated, 'the easiest way to be deceived is to think yourself wiser than others.' A cunning individual should certainly be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of others, but it's equally crucial to recognize their own. Be brutally honest with yourself. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What makes you anxious? When do you feel most self-assured? If you're truthful about your abilities, you'll know which strengths to leverage and which weaknesses require improvement.

Exude confidence and decisiveness. People tend to trust individuals who appear certain in their decision-making. If you’re aiming to be cunning, you should seize this opportunity. Execute your plans with unwavering confidence. Never doubt yourself. Approach the deception as though it’s an effortless task you can execute flawlessly, even if this isn’t entirely the case. When you project belief in your abilities, others will likely follow suit, allowing you to deceive them with ease.

• Confidence-building tips include:
  • Enhance your appearance - dress well and maintain good grooming
  • Use open body language - stand tall, smile, and make eye contact
  • Develop your interests - choose hobbies you’re skilled at and become great at them
  • Show politeness - be friendly and courteous, but never fake agreement just to please others.

Set metaphorical traps. There’s an old saying that describes cunning as 'finding the path your enemy has chosen, then digging holes along that path.' While it’s unlikely you’ll need to set actual traps, take the metaphor seriously. By understanding your opponent's strengths, weaknesses, and motivations, you can identify the 'path' they’re on and manipulate it to your advantage. Seek opportunities to exploit their weaknesses while rendering their strengths ineffective. Try to put them in situations where they’re likely to fail.

• For example, if you’re competing with a colleague you dislike for a promotion, and you know they struggle with public speaking, you could offer to give an important joint presentation with them, making them look inferior in comparison to you.

Always have an escape plan. Cunning individuals anticipate all possible outcomes of their plans—even those that aren’t favorable. Always be prepared for the possibility that your strategy might fail. Have a contingency plan in place in case things go awry. Know exactly how you’ll recover from failure and have a well-prepared explanation ready that allows you to deny any wrongdoing.

• For example, if you find yourself backstage at a concert without a pass and a security guard questions you, play dumb. Pretend you’re lost and looking for the restroom, or claim your friend told you the best view of the show was from backstage. Feign surprise when you’re caught, and you’ll likely avoid serious trouble.

• Engage in numerous mental exercises.
• Learn to detect subtle clues by observing body language.
• Master the art of appearing innocent.

• Don't go too far, or you might land in trouble.
• Be aware of the drawbacks of embracing cunning. While it’s perfectly fine to be clever, observant, and insightful, using deceit can cause harm to others and push them away. If you find yourself becoming overly manipulative and want to return to a more honest approach, there are steps you can take to stop manipulating others and restore their trust.