---
title: "The canvas strategy"
description: "Build reputation and relationships by helping senior people succeed and letting them take the credit."
canonical: https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/ego-is-the-enemy/the-canvas-strategy/
updated: 2026-11-03
---

# The canvas strategy

> Build reputation and relationships by helping senior people succeed and letting them take the credit.

Ryan Holiday's framework, from Ego Is the Enemy, pp. 25 to 84.

Framework 1 of 5 from [Ego Is the Enemy](https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/ego-is-the-enemy/index.md) by Ryan Holiday. Category: Personal brand.

## The steps

1. **Come up with ideas to hand over.** Give your boss or senior colleague ideas they can use.
2. **Connect people.** Introduce thinkers and up-and-comers to each other so new sparks form.
3. **Do what nobody else wants to do.** Take the unglamorous work and become the best at it.
4. **Find waste.** Identify inefficiencies, leaks and redundancies and free up resources for new areas.
5. **Produce more than everyone and give ideas away.** Build an enormous bank of favours and relationships over time.

## Where it comes from

From chapter: PART I: ASPIRE, pp. 25–84

## The animation

24 seconds, 4:5, no sound.

- MP4: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/ego-is-the-enemy/the-canvas-strategy.mp4
- MP4, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/ego-is-the-enemy/the-canvas-strategy-dark.mp4
- Still: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/ego-is-the-enemy/the-canvas-strategy.png
- Still, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/ego-is-the-enemy/the-canvas-strategy-dark.png