POWER

I'm about to finish a very thick book. A book by Robert Caro about a man named Robert Moses. This book, The Power Broker, took Caro 7 grueling years to write.

Robert Caro met Robert Moses and immediately recognized that his story must be chronicled. The severe oversimplification of the story of Bob Moses is that he was the most prolific city planner the world has ever seen; widely seen as the man responsible for most of the famous public works in New York City. That's impressive and all, but his real notoriety stems from the power he wielded over New York State. For more than four decades, this particular urban planner was the most powerful man in?New York , an unelected emperor who dominated the mayors and governors who were supposedly in charge, and who physically reshaped the city through sheer force of will. He was the power broker. Today, I want to talk about power through the lens of Robert Moses.

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So, what does that even mean, "power broker?" In Moses' case, it was more than just having a vision for a city. It was a tenacious and, at times, ruthless determination to make that vision a reality, whether through charm, manipulation, political maneuvering, or sheer force of will. He played in a landscape where norms were blurred, the end often justified the means, and those with political clout were the puppets, not the puppeteers.

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There's a lot we can learn from Moses' legacy—both the laudable and the less so. But first, I want to address the elephant in the room: Moses was not a saint. He was criticized for his single-minded approach to urban planning, often steamrolling over communities (both figuratively and literally) in the name of progress. Highways were prioritized over neighborhoods, displacing thousands in the process. While that doesn't sit well in our modern sensibility, it's essential to grasp his mindset. He believed that what he was doing was for the greater good and in the pursuit of a modernized city.

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On the flip side, Moses’ ability to get things done was unmatched. He transformed New York with an array of public works—parks, bridges, highways—that still stand as monuments to his vision. He knew how to navigate bureaucracy, lobby for funding, and push projects through at an impressive pace. From this perspective, Moses was the epitome of a power broker, a man who could mobilize resources, maneuver through the political jungle, and leave a lasting legacy. He had mayors, governors, and presidents in the palm of his hand for decades.

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What I find most fascinating about Moses is his understanding of how the game is played; his understanding of the levers of power. He realized early on that real power did not necessarily reside in official titles or elected positions but in the ability to control resources and set agendas. He held a dozen titles in his career—none of which were elected positions—yet he controlled billions in public funds and dictated the city's development for more than 40 years.

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So, where does this leave us today? Robert Moses provides a controversial yet potent model for understanding power dynamics. The big takeaway is not about becoming a mogul in his mold—ruthless and insensitive—but rather about understanding the broader dynamics at play.

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Recognize where the real power lies in your organization. It may not be with the CEO or board of directors. It might be with the person who controls the budget, the person who has the ear of the influential figures, or the person who can navigate the bureaucracy and get things done.

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And remember, wielding power isn't inherently bad. Moses did create marvels that reshaped a city. But it's how you use that power that defines your legacy. Do you use it for your own advancement at the expense of others, or do you use it to create a better organization, city, or world?

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Lastly, keep in mind that power gained in this twisted way is fleeting. Moses was eventually toppled from his perch by forces he could no longer control. A reminder that true power lies not in control, but in the respect and trust of those you serve. In the end, that's the kind of power that leaves a lasting legacy. If your interest is piqued at all, you should definitely read The Power Broker by Robert Caro.