Use your power for good instead of evil
There’s an interesting article in this month’s Harvard Business Review about how power can send leaders astray – particularly when coupled with a lack of humility and empathy.
To make it trickier, power itself can tend to further increase self-focus and erode humility and empathy, sending you deeper down the spiral.
The authors suggest countering this by taking care to cultivate humility: stay open to honest input, remind yourself constantly that you are not infallible and success is fleeting, and remember that you are not omnipotent. We are all interconnected and dependent on each other.
That prompted me to draw up another high-gloss model for you:
This article talks about how to get from the bottom-right corner back up to top-right so you can use your power for good instead of evil.
I also work with many clients who are looking to move from the left-hand side of the model to top-right – building confidence to step into their power and use it to do great things.
(Clearly this model is talking at the individual level. There are all sorts of structural and cultural forces that impact where someone might find themselves and the ease or difficulty they might have in moving.)
Where might you place yourself on this model? Where might others see you? How might you usefully apply that insight?
Until next week,
Take care of yourself and others
Madeleine
PS If you’d like to work with me to help you build your effectiveness as a leader, let me know. Send me a message to enquire, and please share with anyone you think may benefit.
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