This One Sentence Will Change How You Lead Forever

If you want to master leadership communication, here’s one sentence you need to live by:

Nothing is true. Everything is permitted.

This isn’t about being nihilistic or Machiavellian. It’s about shifting your perspective to see communication as a tool to elevate both your speech and your status.

It’s the key to becoming what Nietzsche called the Übermensch—a human version of Superman, someone who rises above the chaos to lead with clarity and purpose.

The phrase is often attributed to the 12th-century leader Hassan Al Sabbah, commander of the Hashashin (Assassins). This makes sense... because the phrase was popularized by the Assassin's Creed video game series. At least, it was the first time I heard it.

In the game, “Nothing is true. Everything is permitted.” symbolizes a guiding principle of the Assassins' Order: the freedom to kill, assassinate, and bring chaos (or order) to whatever they deemed right.

While this interpretation is dramatic, I believe Nietzsche offered a more nuanced perspective in his book Thus Spoke Zarathustra.

He used the phrase to reflect a world without absolute truths or divine moral structures.

“Nothing is true” means we’re not bound by pre-existing systems of morality or societal norms.

“Everything is permitted” gives us the freedom to create our own values.

For Nietzsche, this principle offered an opportunity.

It was a chance for you, as an individual, to rise above nihilism, become an Übermensch, and forge your own path in a world without absolutes.

As a leader, your team, your organization, and your audience all bring different moral and ethical values to the table.

This makes moral values, in some ways, obsolete. Because you’ll never satisfy everyone.

Traditional advice tells you to “pick a side” or “throw rocks at the enemy” to create and keep attention.

But sometimes picking a side gets tricky.

If you feel the pressure to do it, here’s my advice:

Don’t.

Don’t pick a side, yet.
Don’t throw rocks at the enemy, yet.

Instead?

A leader considers all options. All repercussions. All scenarios.

Remind yourself that nothing is true, everything is permitted.

When you pick a side, you’re playing their game.

The better move is to create your own game.

Next time a political conversation, an ESG policy, or a tricky decision is forced upon you?

Don't take a side in the discussion, create one.
Don't react to others, make them react to you.
Don't follow, lead.

Because nothing is true, and everything is permitted.

And oh... I highly recommend giving Nietzsche’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra a read.

Click here to get it.