Subtle Tactics To Outsmart Anyone

Summary

In this video, we delve into Petyr 'Littlefinger' Baelish's masterful manipulations in 'Game of Thrones,' exploring his strategic subtlety in wielding power. Littlefinger excels by influencing others without them realizing, planting seeds of doubt and allowing decisions to seem autonomous. He avoids ego-driven confrontations, maintains a facade of nonchalance when insulted, and strategically relinquishes credit to keep his true intentions hidden. His lack of sentimentality and single-minded focus on power, however, may sow the seeds of his downfall, particularly as he involves Sansa in his schemes.

Takeaways

• 🎲 Littlefinger is considered a master strategist in 'Game of Thrones', adept at manipulating events to his advantage.
• 🌱 He subtly influences others by planting seeds of doubt and allowing them to come to conclusions that align with his plans.
• 🤔 Littlefinger avoids direct confrontation and does not insist on his viewpoints, which makes his influence less detectable.
• 👥 He understands the human need for control and leverages this by making others feel responsible for the decisions he influences.
• 🚫 He refrains from letting his ego interfere with his goals, often accepting insults and undermining comments without retaliation.
• 🤝 Littlefinger is willing to let others take credit for his actions, maintaining a low profile while pulling the strings behind the scenes.
• 🔪 He has no qualms about lying or sacrificing pawns when it serves his purpose, showing a complete lack of sentimentality.
• 👑 His ultimate goal is power, and he is willing to forgo immediate respect or recognition in favor of long-term strategic victories.
• 💡 The script suggests that Littlefinger's sentimentality towards Sansa could be his Achilles' heel, potentially leading to his downfall.
• ⚔️ The Stark siblings, particularly Sansa, Arya, and Jon, are poised to play a crucial role in Littlefinger's ultimate defeat due to their growing awareness and power.

Q & A

What is the primary strategy that Littlefinger uses to influence others in the Game of Thrones?

Littlefinger influences others by planting seeds of doubt and allowing them to come to conclusions on their own, making them feel in control of their decisions while he pulls the strings behind the scenes.

How does Littlefinger ensure that people don't suspect his motives?

Littlefinger ensures that people don't suspect his motives by not insisting on his opinions, making it clear that the decision is always theirs, and by keeping his true intentions hidden, thus appearing to have no motive.

What is the importance of making people feel like they own their decisions in Littlefinger's strategy?

Making people feel like they own their decisions is important because it increases the likelihood that they will stick with those decisions in the long run, as it aligns with the fundamental human need to feel in control.

How does Littlefinger handle insults and ego-related provocations?

Littlefinger handles insults and provocations by not letting his ego get in the way of his goals. He remains calm and composed, avoiding confrontations that could jeopardize his plans.

What is the significance of Littlefinger's lack of sentimentality in his pursuit of power?

Littlefinger's lack of sentimentality allows him to focus solely on his goals without being distracted by emotions or moral considerations, making him a more effective and ruthless player in the game.

How does Littlefinger's approach to persuasion differ from more forceful characters like Cersei?

Littlefinger's approach to persuasion is subtle and indirect, in contrast to forceful characters like Cersei who use their position to command others. He allows others to feel like they are making their own decisions, whereas Cersei often uses power and intimidation.

What is the potential downfall that the script suggests for Littlefinger due to his relationship with Sansa?

The script suggests that Littlefinger's sentimentality towards Sansa and his decision to train her as a player, as well as revealing his ultimate goals to her, could be his downfall as it makes her a potential threat to his plans.

How does Littlefinger use the concept of feeling in control to manipulate others?

Littlefinger manipulates others by making them feel like they are making their own decisions. He plants ideas and then steps back, allowing the individuals to convince themselves, which makes them more committed to the course of action he desires.

What is the role of patience in Littlefinger's strategic gameplay?

Patience is a key aspect of Littlefinger's gameplay. He is willing to wait for the right moment to act, allowing his plans to unfold naturally and avoiding premature exposure of his intentions.

How does the script analyze the difference between Littlefinger's use of power and that of other characters like Tyrion or Daenerys?

The script analyzes that while characters like Tyrion and Daenerys use power more overtly, often through respect, titles, or force, Littlefinger wields power subtly, focusing on the long game and manipulating events from behind the scenes.

What is the significance of the script's advice not to emulate Littlefinger's actions in real life?

The script advises against emulating Littlefinger's actions in real life because his methods involve manipulation, deceit, and a disregard for moral principles, which are not advisable or ethical in real-world interactions.

Outlines

00:00

🃏 Master of Manipulation: Littlefinger's Strategy

This paragraph introduces Littlefinger as a master manipulator in the Game of Thrones, highlighting his ability to bring down major houses and elevate his own status. The video aims to explore his tactics and how they contribute to his success. Two important notes are mentioned: the content contains spoilers up to season six and some speculation about season seven, and a disclaimer that while analyzing Littlefinger's actions is interesting, viewers should not emulate his dishonest and treacherous behavior. The paragraph emphasizes the subtlety of Littlefinger's power plays, contrasting him with more overtly powerful characters like Cersei and The Mountain. It illustrates how Littlefinger plants seeds of doubt and allows others to come to conclusions that align with his goals, such as with Sansa Stark, and how he presents choices without pressuring, ensuring that decisions seem voluntary and thus more likely to be followed through.

05:03

🕵️‍♂️ Subtle Influence and Ego Management

The second paragraph delves deeper into Littlefinger's methods of subtle influence, showing how he manipulates situations without direct coercion. It contrasts his approach with that of Ned Stark, who, when given space to make his own decisions, ultimately follows paths set by Littlefinger. The paragraph also discusses the importance of not letting ego interfere with achieving one's goals, using Cersei as an example of someone whose ego-driven reactions often backfire. Littlefinger is portrayed as someone who can absorb insults without retaliation, keeping his eyes on the larger prize. Additionally, it touches on how he allows others to believe they are in control, which makes them more susceptible to his influence, and how he ensures that others take credit for his ideas, keeping his own motives and plans concealed.

10:04

🎯 Single-Minded Pursuit and Lack of Sentimentality

The final paragraph focuses on Littlefinger's single-minded pursuit of power and his lack of sentimentality, which allows him to be ruthlessly efficient in his quest. It contrasts his focus on ultimate goals with the ego-driven behaviors of other characters who seek immediate respect and recognition. The paragraph points out that Littlefinger is willing to lie and eliminate those who have outlived their usefulness or pose a threat to his plans. However, it also suggests that his strategy may be faltering due to his growing sentimentality towards Sansa Stark, which could potentially lead to his downfall. The summary ends with a prediction that Sansa, along with other Stark siblings, may be the key to Littlefinger's ultimate defeat, despite his continued efforts to maintain control and manipulate events from the shadows.

Keywords

💡Littlefinger

Littlefinger, also known as Petyr Baelish, is a central character in the 'Game of Thrones' series, renowned for his cunning and manipulation. In the video, he is described as the 'best player' in the game, highlighting his ability to orchestrate events and influence others without direct force. His strategies are analyzed as a model of subtle power play, where he plants ideas and allows others to come to conclusions that serve his interests, as seen in his interactions with Sansa Stark.

💡Subtlety

Subtlety in the video refers to the indirect and nuanced way Littlefinger wields influence. It's contrasted with more overt displays of power like brute force or command. The video emphasizes that those who use power subtly, like Littlefinger, often excel because they can guide events without others realizing their involvement. An example is how he convinces Sansa to consider leaving King's Landing, not by insisting but by planting a seed of doubt.

💡Influence

Influence is a key concept in the video, illustrating how Littlefinger manipulates situations to his advantage without others realizing his direct involvement. It's shown through his ability to make others believe that the decisions they are making are their own, even though they are influenced by his subtle suggestions. This is evident when he allows Sansa to believe that the idea to leave King's Landing is hers, not his.

💡Control

Control in the video is discussed in the context of human psychology and decision-making. It refers to the innate desire of individuals to feel that they are in charge of their own decisions and actions. Littlefinger capitalizes on this by making others feel they are controlling the situation when, in fact, he is manipulating the outcome. This is exemplified when he presents options to Sansa but makes it clear that the final decision is hers.

💡Ego

Ego is highlighted in the video as a potential obstacle to achieving one's goals. It contrasts the behavior of characters like Cersei, who allows her ego to dictate her actions, with Littlefinger, who keeps his ego in check. The video suggests that by not letting his ego interfere, Littlefinger is able to maintain a clear focus on his objectives, unlike those who might act impulsively to protect their pride.

💡Sentimentality

Sentimentality is presented in the video as a liability in the power games of 'Game of Thrones'. Littlefinger is depicted as a character who lacks sentimentality, which allows him to make ruthless decisions without moral hindrance. However, the video suggests that his growing sentimentality towards Sansa could be his undoing, as it introduces a personal element that might cloud his strategic thinking.

💡Manipulation

Manipulation is a recurring theme in the video, referring to the tactics Littlefinger uses to influence others' decisions for his benefit. It is shown as a skillful and often hidden method of control, where he guides others to act in ways that align with his goals. An example is his handling of Robin, where he plants the idea that Sansa is in danger, leading Robin to suggest helping her.

💡Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinking is a key aspect of Littlefinger's character as discussed in the video. It involves planning and foresight, where he calculates the consequences of his actions and the reactions of others. This is evident in his interactions with Ned Stark, where he manipulates Ned's curiosity to lead him down a path that ultimately serves Littlefinger's purposes.

💡Ulterior Motive

An ulterior motive refers to a hidden or secondary motive behind an action, which is a common theme in the video. Littlefinger is often shown acting with hidden intentions, making others believe his actions are transparent when they actually serve a secret purpose. This is a critical part of his manipulation strategy, as it keeps others off guard and unaware of his true goals.

💡Power Dynamics

Power dynamics are explored in the video through the various ways characters exert control or influence over others. It contrasts direct power, such as through force or position, with the indirect power wielded by Littlefinger. The video discusses how understanding and manipulating power dynamics is crucial for success in the game of thrones, as demonstrated by Littlefinger's ability to navigate and exploit these dynamics to his advantage.

💡Decision Ownership

Decision ownership is a concept in the video that relates to the psychological principle that people are more committed to decisions they believe they have made independently. Littlefinger leverages this by persuading others without being pushy, allowing them to feel they have agency in their choices. This is seen in his interactions with Sansa, where he presents options but ensures she feels the decision to act is hers.

Highlights

Littlefinger is considered the best player in Game of Thrones due to his strategic manipulations.

He has led to the downfall of major houses and advanced his position without direct confrontation.

The video explores Littlefinger's winning strategies and the potential for his downfall.

Spoilers for season six and speculations for season seven are included in the analysis.

A warning is given against emulating Littlefinger's deceitful and treacherous behavior.

Power in Game of Thrones is often displayed through force or position, but subtlety is more effective.

Petyr Baelish, or Littlefinger, is the ultimate player, manipulating others without them realizing.

Littlefinger's strategy involves planting seeds of doubt and allowing others to come to conclusions on their own.

He avoids insistent persuasion, instead letting his influence germinate over time.

Littlefinger's approach ensures that others feel decisions are their own, increasing their commitment.

The importance of making people feel in control of their decisions is emphasized for long-term adherence.

Littlefinger's subtlety is demonstrated in his interactions with characters like Robin and Ned Stark.

He keeps his true intentions hidden, avoiding suspicion and maintaining an air of mystery.

Littlefinger's patience and long-term planning set him apart from more impulsive characters.

His lack of ego allows him to absorb insults and maintain his focus on his ultimate goals.

Littlefinger's strategies are contrasted with Cersei's ego-driven decisions that often backfire.

He allows others to take credit for his work, keeping his own role in the shadows.

Littlefinger's lack of sentimentality allows him to make ruthless decisions in pursuit of his goals.

The potential weakness in his strategy with Sansa is discussed, as he reveals too much of his hand.

The video concludes with speculation on how Littlefinger's strategies might lead to his eventual downfall.

Transcripts

Littlefinger is probably the single best player in the Game of Thrones.

He's indirectly led to the downfall of at least three major houses

and has advanced his own station at every opportunity.

In this video, we're going to explore what it is that he does that makes him win

and how deviating from his strategy may lead to the end of his winning streak.

Two caveats before we begin — first,

spoilers through season six and some speculation into season seven.

And two, don't do the things that Littlefinger does —

it's fun to analyze Littlefinger's manipulations and learn how you can avoid them in your own life

but don't be a liar or a backstabber — it's just not cool. So let's begin.

Game of Thrones is all about power.

Some people like Cersei use their position to command others.

Seize him.

Cut his throat.

Stop.

Ah, wait.

I've changed my mind; let him go.

Power is power.

...then there's people like The Mountain

who literally just dominate through physical brute force.

But in the long run, it's those who wield power more subtly that excel in the game

and perhaps no one is more subtle than Petyr.

He is the ultimate player in the game because he gets other people to do exactly what he wants

without them even knowing that he has influenced them.

How does he do this? Well, first off, Petyr is able to hide his influence

because he doesn't try to convince anyone of anything.

He may make a few persuasive points but he very quickly drops the discussion

when he senses that someone is digging in their heels.

Watch how quickly he allows Sansa to stay in King's Landing after offering her help escaping and having her deny him.

I can say so much of her in you.

She was like a sister to me.

For her sake, I'll help get you home.

King's Landing is my home now.

Look around you; we're all liars here.

Every one of us is better than you.

Instead of insisting, he just plants the seed of doubt in Sansa's head

and then lets her ponder it until later on, she literally begs for his help.

You said you'd take me home.

You said King's Landing was your home.

With the property of the crown, stealing you would be treason if you were to tell just one advisor.

I won't tell anyone.

How do I know?

Because I'm a terrible liar; you said so yourself.

Please, Lord Baelish, tell me what to do — tell me when.

In addition, once Littlefinger has made his case to persuade someone,

he will immediately make it clear that the decision is theirs.

Listen to what he says to Sansa after informing her that he plans to wed her to the Bolton's.

Side note — I know that book Littlefinger probably never would have made this move

because it's kind of ridiculous to give Sansa up

but this conversation is still indicative of Petyr's general strategy

of not being pushy when trying to persuade someone.

Sansa.

No, you can't make me. I will starve myself. I will die before I have to go there.

I won't force you to do anything.

Don't you know by now how much I care for you?

Say the word and we turn the horses around but listen to me. Listen.

You've been running all your life.

So why does Littlefinger do this? Wouldn't it just be faster to tell people what to do?

Now it might seem that way but when people agree to what you want out of pressure,

they don't own the decision.

And when they don't own the decision, they might go along with it for a bit

but they're unlikely to stick with it in the long run.

That's because one of the fundamental drivers of all human action

is the need to feel in control.

When people feel like they've made a decision on their own, they're much more likely to stick with it.

So as counterintuitive as it may seem, when you try to talk someone into something

and are non-stop persistent, you decrease the odds that they'll do that thing

even if it's good for them simply because they want to feel in control.

Littlefinger gets this so everything that he does

is intended to make other people feel like their decisions are their own

when in reality, he's pulling the strings behind the scenes.

By the way, if you want to see more on how people like Tyrion and Daenerys

and the Starks differ in their use of power, I set up a Game of Thrones playlist

that analyzes each of them; just click the link in the description

or the white button in the upper right hand corner to watch.

But back to Petyr, with regards to his subtlety, in the next scene,

he's dealing with Robin who is simple-minded

and he can get him to focus on the fact that Sansa isn't safe

which lets him come to his own obvious conclusion.

...runs to the north telling Sansa has escaped Winterfell.

I expect he's headed to Castle Black where her brother serves as Lord Commander

but she won't be safe there — not with the Boltons after her.

She's my cousin.

We should help her.

That was my instinct as well.

This is very similar to what Littlefinger does with Ned

when it comes to convincing him to pursue Jon Arryn's path of inquiry.

If Littlefinger were to insist that Ned stay in King's Landing and play detective,

Ned probably would have dug in his heels, become suspicious

of Littlefinger's motives, and then refused him

but instead, by piquing Ned's curiosity, telling him it would only take an hour to explore

and then stepping out of the room, Little Finger gets Ned to own this decision

which ultimately leads to his death.

When do you return to Winterfell?

Why? What do you care?

If you're still here come nightfall, I'll take you to see the last person Jon Arryn spoke

with before falling ill if that sort of thing still interests you.

I don't have the time.

It won't take more than an hour but as you please.

Round the pool of men we have.

There is another benefit to influencing in this subtle way

which is that people don't ever know what you want as Littlefinger says.

A man with no motive is a man no one suspects.

Always keep your fools confused.

If they don't know who you are or what you want,

they can't know what you plan to do next.

So that's the first and biggest lesson of Littlefinger's influence —

when people sense that someone is wielding power over them,

they can feel the ulterior motive and they resist but when they feel

that they've come to their own conclusions, they're more likely to move forward.

So Littlefinger is always careful to make sure that people with status

never feel that he is wielding power over them.

The second big thing is that Littlefinger does not let his ego get in the way of his goals.

People insult him, talk down to him, and underestimate him all the time

but Littlefinger and, especially, book Littlefinger do not rise to these taunts.

He knows that it's going to eventually just raise his profile and create an enemy down

the line so instead he shows no signs of outward animosity when people slide him.

...flooded the gutters with wine,

smashed the false idols, and sent the goddess on the run.

Well done.

I'm here on urgent business for the Queen Mother.

Should I send word that I've been delayed?

This turn-the-other-cheek-at-least-outwardly mentality is the opposite of what Cersei does.

She makes situations worse for herself by running her mouth to protect her ego.

For instance, there is no strategic play to insulting your jailer in front of other people.

If anything, it's just going to get you worse treatment.

But Cersei lets her ego get in the way of her interests

and winds up running her mouth as soon as she is taken by the faith militant.

Look at me.

Look at my face.

It's the last thing you see before you die.

Speaking of Cersei, I'm thinking of doing a video on her in the future so let me know

if you're interested or if there's another character that you prefer in the comments.

Back to Littlefinger though, he also does a good job of keeping his ego in check

when it comes to allowing others to think that they control him.

Listen how Lysa discusses Littlefinger's plans to capture Sansa

as if it's something that she let him do.

Now we know better; clearly, he was the mastermind

but most people of status wouldn't tolerate that sleight.

Littlefinger though stays silent — happy to have Lysa thinking that she is in charge of decisions.

Don't you think I know who you are?

Don't you think I'd let my attendant leave the Eyrie on urgent business

without knowing what that business was?

I let him go because he could bring you here... to me.

It's' true in our own lives too; people don't necessarily want to be in charge —

they want to feel like they're in charge and they want others to recognize them as being the leader.

In the same vein, Petyr Baelish has no problem

letting other people take credit for his hard work.

He leaks information to people around him, always leaving them grateful

and proud that they get to sit in the limelight and receive praise when in reality,

they only get the information that he wants them to have because he knows what they're going to do with it.

In the case of telling Cersei about the Tyrell's plans to marry Sansa to Loras, Littlefinger

correctly predicts that the Lannisters will respond with sneaky marriages of their own.

Stop that; you're making me uncomfortable.

Your sister has known that your new friends, the Tyrells, are plotting

to marry Sansa Stark to Ser Loras so we find Sansa Stark a different husband.

Wonderful.

Yes, it is.

You should be thanking the gods for this; this is more than you deserve.

Tyrion will do as he's bid... as will you.

What do you mean?

You'll marry Ser Loras.

I will not.

So Cersei feels good initially because she gets the praise from Tywin and she gets

to tell him all this new information but ultimately, she doesn't get what she wants.

And this is what makes Littlefinger unique

because while everyone else is pursuing the trappings of power — like respect, titles,

praise, and the ability to mouth off and not worry about the consequences,

Petyr only wants the big wins.

He has one singular goal in mind and everything else, including his ego, is just a distraction.

There is a lesson here to be applied in your own life

which is that if you prioritize your ego and you prioritize being shown respect, you deprioritize your other goals

Like the person who gets in a verbal altercation because someone called him a name —

rather than realizing they'd be much better off to just let it go and continue to enjoy their day.

Serving your ego might seem like a good idea in the moment

but it usually takes you farther away from the things that you really want in life.

And that brings us to the third major piece of Littlefinger's game

which is that he has a complete lack of sentimentality.

For instance, he has absolutely no issue lying.

I swear on my life.

I swear to all of the gods.

Let her go, Lysa.

He also doesn't feel any obligation to keep pawns in his game alive

once they've served their purpose and he is especially willing to kill people

when they know enough about his plans and that they could undermine him

if they spoke to the wrong person.

Just look at what he did to Dontos after he delivered Sansa.

I should get back. They'll be looking for me.

First, you want your pay. Ten thousand, was it?

Ten thousand.

Wait.

For Littlefinger, nothing is sacred

and that means that he's even more able to focus on his goals

without being distracted by honor or moral goodness

so in some, Littlefinger doesn't try to convince people.

He allows his ego to be bruised in service of his goals

and he has no notions of sentimentality that would distract him from his aims.

All of those things make Littlefinger a patient master player of the game

that has won nonstop through season six and book five

but at least one of those pillars is getting wobbly —

specifically, his sentimentality when it comes to Sansa.

Not only has he done his best to train her to become a player,

he's encouraged her to acquire power and basically laid out his deepest desires to her.

...a picture of me... on the iron throne... with you by my side.

Never before had Littlefinger let someone with so much power

know so much about his ultimate goal

and that seems to me to be a massive tactical error that will cost him in the end

but that doesn't mean that his strategies have completely fallen apart;

he still doesn't insist or try to convince Sansa

and he's still dropping subtle hints to drive a rift between her and Jon.

...the time may come when you need an army loyal to you.

I have an army.

Your brother's army.

Half-brother.

...you, I love. I have the future of the House Stark.

Who should the north rally behind?

Trueborn daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark born here at Winterfell

or a motherless bastard born in the south?

[Music playing] The king of the north.

The king of the north. The king of the north. The king of the north.

[Music and cheering continues]

So it seems that Littlefinger isn't quite out of the game and may even be successful

at turning Sansa against Jon for a time

but I think that he has sown the seeds of his own destruction in making Sansa

such a knowledgeable player especially as to his own ambitions

and given how it looks like the Starks are about to collide back in the north,

my guess is that some combination of Sansa, Arya, and Jon will finish him off