Elements of Power
Elements of Power
(Slide 4)
Power is fundamental, and it comes from many sources, such as intelligence, money, information, and hard work. Bertrand Russell said that power is just as fundamental a concept in social science as energy is in physics.
Although people often speak of power as a bad thing, it is neither good nor bad by itself. Rather, it is the way we use power that determines whether it is harmful or beneficial.
For that reason, aspiring leaders must be fully aware of power and its causes and effects. They must know its potential and have the integrity to use it for the benefit of those they lead.
Power is in the Relationship
Power does not exist by itself – it is always part of a relationship. For power to exist, it must be allowed to exist. Someone, something, somewhere lets power emerge. For a dictator to have absolute power, the masses must let theirs go. For a child to have power, parents must allow that power to exist.
The phrase ‘balance of power’ describes the organic quality of the power relationship between people, including societies and governments. Those who keep a balance of power acknowledge its existence, use it, and enjoy it without letting it become the primary ingredient of the relationship.
Two Essentials of Power
(Slide 5)
The two essentials of power are resources and motivation.
Some of us have the resources – such as money or intelligence or skills – to rebuild downtown buildings, to bring people together to work on common goals, to lose weight, or to stay within a budget. If we lack motivation, however, we don’t have enough power to accomplish any of these things.
But is it enough to have motivation? To answer that question, consider this: some of us may be motivated to win an Olympic event or become an astronaut, but if we lack the resources of talent and training, neither of those things will happen.
It is only when resources and motivation fit well together that leaders can develop and use power. This
(Slide 4)
Power is fundamental, and it comes from many sources, such as intelligence, money, information, and hard work. Bertrand Russell said that power is just as fundamental a concept in social science as energy is in physics.
Although people often speak of power as a bad thing, it is neither good nor bad by itself. Rather, it is the way we use power that determines whether it is harmful or beneficial.
For that reason, aspiring leaders must be fully aware of power and its causes and effects. They must know its potential and have the integrity to use it for the benefit of those they lead.
Power is in the Relationship
Power does not exist by itself – it is always part of a relationship. For power to exist, it must be allowed to exist. Someone, something, somewhere lets power emerge. For a dictator to have absolute power, the masses must let theirs go. For a child to have power, parents must allow that power to exist.
The phrase ‘balance of power’ describes the organic quality of the power relationship between people, including societies and governments. Those who keep a balance of power acknowledge its existence, use it, and enjoy it without letting it become the primary ingredient of the relationship.
Two Essentials of Power
(Slide 5)
The two essentials of power are resources and motivation.
Some of us have the resources – such as money or intelligence or skills – to rebuild downtown buildings, to bring people together to work on common goals, to lose weight, or to stay within a budget. If we lack motivation, however, we don’t have enough power to accomplish any of these things.
But is it enough to have motivation? To answer that question, consider this: some of us may be motivated to win an Olympic event or become an astronaut, but if we lack the resources of talent and training, neither of those things will happen.
It is only when resources and motivation fit well together that leaders can develop and use power. This