There is always somebody in your community with a higher need for power than others. Normally they seek to a position where they can, by the sign on their desk authority, can control other people. I think old fashion power is on the way out and since I have some time waiting for parts I will tell you why.
Either it is your boss, a colleague, somebody in your neighborhood or in your family you will find somebody which has a need for power and the feeling of control that follows it. As I see it you have two kinds of people getting into positions with power – The ones that deserve it by knowledge and respect and the ones that don’t. If the position is not based on a common respect from the people around you the only way you can control is by fear or by “destructive rewards”. Control by fear has a function in some communities but will normally hit back when the person with the power meets somebody that is stronger either physically, psychological or just plain smarter. Leading by “destructive rewards” is when you try to control people by making them feel less valuable. Normally this is done by always sneak in a comment about peoples less good sides or features. If this is done over time you will get a lower self-esteem and for a while be easier to control. At the end of the day you either get tired or you quit.
Leading by respect, for either who you are or how you are, will always be a winner. All people have something they are good at and areas where they can contribute. A good leader will collect a group of people which have the required skills and make the individual in that group better than if he was standing alone. This will again give the individuals a higher self-esteem and make the group even stronger. If then people understand how important they are in the group and the dependencies for and to others you will make room for something very important – Loyalty! Loyalty is the glue in all relationships but it is hard to measure but you know it when it’s there. I would love to be in a group like that.
In the future I think the old fashion power games will lose towards respect, loyalty and integrity. What is integrity for me: To live my values. Nobody can tell you or instruct you what your values should be. Your true values reflect the person you are. If one of your true values is honesty you will always be a bad liar (and should not go for a career as a politician).
I think more and more people recognize that the life we live today creates more and more stress. You do not have to be a magician to see that this is not the way we were meant to live but it is hard to change.
What I think is important for the future is:
- Try to find your true values and live accordingly.
- Search for your perfect group lead by respect.
- Have fun
Erik
