Robert Greene: How to Deal with Negative People When They Are in Your Family, Friend Circle or Work

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

How do you deal with negative people close to you?

How do you stay positive around negative people?

Today, Jay welcomes Robert Greene, known for his bestsellers like "The 48 Laws of Power" and "The Daily Laws." Robert's works draw on historical figures and events to provide insights into the dynamics of power and social influence. His books are often used as guides for personal development, leadership, and understanding the complexities of human interactions.

Robert shares tips on dealing with negative people, emphasizing the importance of emotional distance and understanding that everyone has their flaws and shares his thoughts on the idea that our sense of self is just a mental construct, and real enlightenment comes from letting go of our egos. He also stresses the importance of questioning your beliefs to truly understand who you are and what you’re meant to do in life.

Followed by Jay and Robert's discussion on why it's more important to judge people by their character rather than their intelligence or charm, how a strong character is shown by handling criticism well, working well with others, and managing stress. They also talk about how modern life can make us less empathetic and the need to genuinely connect with others.

In this interview, you'll learn:

How to deal with negative people

How to develop empathy in modern life

How to question your own beliefs

How to stay true to yourself

How to handle criticism constructively

How to manage stress effectively

By understanding the nature of the self, maintaining emotional distance from negativity, and focusing on genuine connections, we can foster a stronger sense of empathy and authenticity in our lives.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

What We Discuss:

• 00:00 Intro
• 05:31 How to Deal with Negative People?
• 09:04 Look Behind the Mask
• 13:26 Getting Attracted to the Wrong People
• 15:02 Filling Up the Emptiness
• 17:23 Surprising Characteristics in Humans
• 19:10 Our Capacity for Empathy
• 21:31 What’s Your Most Repeated Thought?
• 22:34 How Quiet the Mind
• 24:54 Becoming More Aware
• 30:20 How We Process What We’re Experiencing
• 33:42 Who Really Are You?
• 37:44 How People Think About You
• 41:00 People’s Perception of You
• 43:46 The Before and After
• 46:57 Timeless Knowledge in Books
• 49:58 What Makes You Excited?
• 53:16 The Second Self
• 55:57 The Core of Your Reality
• 59:21 Limited Language
• 01:01:41 The Limited Circle of Harmony
• 01:04:49 Different Thoughts About the World
• 01:11:04 Slowing Down
• 01:13:21 Robert on Final Five

Episode Resources:

• Robert Greene | Website
• Robert Greene | Instagram
• Robert Greene | TikTok
• Robert Greene | YouTube
• Robert Greene | Books

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