Chapter 711 332: Fawning

"They'll focus all their energy on coming up with new and creative ways to flatter you because they'll find that sucking up is an easier way to get funding than paving roads."

"When they discover that no amount of flattery or praise can reliably get them the benefits and resources you control, they'll start to panic."

"And when people panic, they'll do anything to keep their positions. That's when they'll resort to the most basic form of competition. Only then will they start meeting the hard targets you've set. Only then will they pave the roads, crack down on crime, and actually get to work."

Leo asked, "So how should I respond to this grand gesture from Bowman?"

"You need to treat flattery as a political lubricant."

Roosevelt offered a specific strategy.

"You have to understand that in a vast bureaucracy, lower-level officials are under immense pressure."

"They need to curry favor with their superiors to gain a sense of psychological security and validation. They need to know you haven't abandoned them."

"You must accept all this emotional validation. You have to act absolutely delighted, deeply moved."

"But you must never, ever surrender any actual power."

"You must respond with the most enthusiastic praise."

"You should address him warmly on the phone. Tell him you've seen his hard work."

"You can even lower your voice and share a little secret with him. For instance, tell him you're planning to propose a new traffic bill at next month's state-level meeting, so he should get ready."

"The secret must be trivial, but it will create a powerful illusion for your subordinate. He'll think he has entered your inner circle and become your most trusted confidant."

"This illusion of being in your favor will make him work even harder for you. He'll push all your policies in his county like his life depends on it, ready to go through hell and high water for you."

"In reality, he doesn't even know where the front door to your inner circle is."

Leo nodded to himself. Then he picked up the phone and called Brandon Bowman, the head of Allegany County.

The call connected after a few seconds.

"Mayor Wallace! You're calling me personally! It's truly an honor!"

Bowman's voice, full of excitement and sycophancy, came through the receiver.

An exceptionally warm smile instantly appeared on Leo's face.

"Brandon, my old friend."

Leo's tone was filled with sincerity.

"I just watched your speech. I must say, I'm incredibly flattered."

"Naming the airport after me... that's truly too great a gift. I don't even know how to express my gratitude."

Bowman demurred profusely on the other end of the line.

"It's no more than you deserve, Mr. Mayor. You saved us all. This is just a small token of appreciation from the county council and all our citizens. We will always stand firmly by your side."

Leo lowered his voice.

"Brandon, I know you're loyal. Listen, and I'm only telling this to you. At a closed-door State Government meeting next week, I'm going to propose placing an exit for a newly planned interstate highway in the southern part of your county. It will be a huge boost for logistics and development there."

"Have your planning department draw up a preliminary proposal in the next few days. I'll call on you directly when the time comes."

On the other end of the line, Bowman's breathing grew ragged.

"Oh my God, thank you, Mr. Mayor! Please, rest assured, I'll get on it right away. Allegany County will absolutely not let you down! Just tell us where to aim, and we'll fire!"

"Get to it, Brandon. Stay in touch."

Leo hung up and looked at Ethan, who was standing nearby.

"Ethan."

Leo's voice was devoid of any emotion.

"I want you to check Allegany County's budget execution rate for the last quarter. Also, find out the construction progress on their section of the Mutual Aid Alliance's cold-chain logistics and warehousing center."

"If Bowman's budget execution rate is below eighty percent, or if there are any delays on the warehousing center's construction schedule..."

Leo picked up a pen and tapped it twice on a blank memo pad.

"...immediately cut his discretionary fund for the second half of the year by thirty percent."

Ethan noted the order.

"Understood, boss."

Leo's gaze returned to the mountain of documents on his desk.

He knew exactly what he was doing, and exactly what he had to do.

'Praise, honor, the airport's name... they were all just tools.'

'Tools to deceive outsiders, to placate subordinates, and to keep this massive political machine running.'

'The only thing that truly mattered was the ultimate goal.'

'Everything was in service of that goal.'