The Power Games of Influence

Success is a fascinating game. I like to observe the moves of all players in this grand chessboard we call life.

My early experiences have shown me that the games people play are not so different across domains.

The Strategic Mindset

Power is never given; it is always taken or traded. In Big Brother, Zach Cornell’s reluctance to use his $10,000 safety power reflects a universal truth about strategic decision-making. He avoided an immediate move at the cost of his entire position.

Most people play too small. They think locally when they should be thinking globally. Zach’s mistake wasn’t in the choice itself, but in failing to see how his decision would affect the overall ecosystem of the house.

The interesting thing about power is that it rarely stays hidden. Much like Zach Cregger’s meteoric rise with “Weapons,” success often happens suddenly after prolonged periods of quiet work. The art is in positioning yourself for when opportunity arrives.

Markets of Attention

Rachel Reilly’s ascension to HOH status in Big Brother represents a microcosm of market dynamics. Power vacuums get filled quickly. One player falls, another rises. The market efficiency is remarkable.

Similarly, Cardi B releasing “Imaginary Playerz” just before Taylor Swift’s new album demonstrates perfect timing in the attention economy. She’s creating leverage through strategic positioning.

The smart money always positions itself where attention is about to flow, not where it already exists.

Financial Markets Mirror Entertainment

These entertainment power plays mirror broader financial developments. When Zach Cregger leveraged his horror film success into creative freedom and multiple project deals, he essentially created an options strategy that diversifies his creative portfolio while maximizing upside.

The entertainment industry operates on asymmetric bets. Most projects fail, but the winners can win big enough to cover all losses and then some. This mirrors venture capital strategy: position yourself for exponential returns on a few bets rather than linear returns on many.

Cardi B sampling Jay-Z’s track with his approval demonstrates another financial principle: partnerships with established players can provide instant credibility and reduce risk. In fintech and startups, we see similar patterns when new companies partner with established financial institutions.

The Long Game

The true winners play infinite games. They’re not looking to win a single round but to stay in play across many rounds.

Zach Cregger didn’t stop at one successful film; he’s building an ecosystem of projects. Rachel in Big Brother isn’t just seeking one week of safety but positioning for the endgame. Cardi B isn’t releasing a single but an entire album that represents her artistic evolution.

This perspective shift from finite to infinite games is what separates the truly successful from the merely lucky.

Applied Wisdom

What can we learn from these trends? A few principles emerge:

1. Power is fluid and transferable, but rarely destroyed. It simply moves from one holder to another.

2. Strategic timing matters more than raw strength. Cardi B’s album release timing shows this perfectly.

3. Optionality is the ultimate hedge. Diversifying your opportunities, like Zach Cregger with his multiple film projects, creates resilience.

4. Fear of loss often leads to actual loss. Zach Cornell’s fear of using his power resulted in his eviction.

5. The best players see the whole board. They understand second and third-order consequences of their actions.

These principles apply equally to entertainment, business, and personal finance. The markets may differ, but the underlying human psychology remains consistent.

In a world increasingly dominated by competition for attention and resources, those who understand these power dynamics will consistently outperform. Whether you’re navigating reality TV competitions, creative industries, or financial markets, the game is always about leverage, timing, and strategic positioning.

The wisest move is often counterintuitive: when others rush to use power, consider patience; when others hesitate, consider bold action. The trends we’re seeing across entertainment and media aren’t just cultural phenomena—they’re case studies in strategic decision-making that predict similar patterns in business and finance.

Watch closely. The game is always telling you something about the players.