Power Paradox. 5of7. Abuses of Power
Rashid Kapadia
Speaker, Project Manager, Engineer, Consultant, and Author of Necessary Bridges
A Book Tip. Originally posted in September 2018
Fifth of a seven part series based on insights and ideas from the book “The Power Paradox: How We Gain & Lose Influence” by Dacher Keltner
Book thesis, major segments and points below.
The TIP
The Abuses of Power
Power leads to empathy deficits and diminished moral sentiment.
Power leads to self-serving impulsivity.
Power leads to incivility and disrespect.
Power leads to narratives of exceptionalism.
The thesis / paradox:
We rise in power and make a difference in the world due to what is best about human nature, but we fall from power due to what is worst.
We gain a capacity to make a difference in the world by enhancing the lives of others. But the very experience of having power and privilege leads us to behave, in our worst moments, like impulsive, out-of-control sociopaths.
Book Summary
The Power Paradox: How We Gain & Lose Influence. Dacher Keltner
This book is more about the psychology of power and the recognition that it is a medium by which we relate to one another.
It not much focused political power, corporate power, power of leaders, Machiavellian thinking etc, even though these are addressed in the book.
* Power is About Making a Difference
* Power is Given, Not Grabbed
* Enduring Power Comes from a Focus on Others
* The Abuses of Power
* The Price of Powerlessness
This is the power paradox:
We rise in power and make a difference in the world due to what is best about human nature, but we fall from power due to what is worst.
We gain a capacity tho make a difference in the world by enhancing the lives of others. But the very experience of having power and privilege leads us to behave, in our worst moments, like impulsive, out-of-control sociopaths.
Handling the power paradox well is fundamental to the health of our society.
Think of and define power as the capacity to make a difference in the world, in particular by stirring others in our social networks.
Power is the medium by which we relate to one another. Power is about making a difference in the world by influencing others.
20 Principles
Power is About Making a Difference
1. Power is about altering the states of others.
2. Power is a part of every relationship and interaction.
3. Power is found in everyday actions.
4. Power comes from empowering others in social networks.
Power is Given, Not Grabbed
5. Groups give power to those who advance the greater good.
6. Groups construct reputations that determine the capacity to influence.
7. Groups reward those who advance the greater good with status and esteem.
8. Groups punish those who undermine the greater good with gossip.
Enduring Power Comes from a Focus on Others
9. Enduring power comes from empathy.
10. Enduring power comes from giving.
11. Enduring power comes from expressing gratitude.
12. Enduring power comes from telling stories that unite.
The Abuses of Power
13. Power leads to empathy deficits and diminished moral sentiment.
14. Power leads to self-serving impulsivity.
15. Power leads to incivility and disrespect.
16. Power leads to narratives of exceptionalism.
The Price of Powerlessness
17. Powerlessness involves facing environments of continual threat.
18. Stress defines the experience of powerlessness.
19. Powerlessness undermines the individual’s ability to contribute to society.
20. Powerlessness causes poor health.
Fivefold Path to Enduring Power in Our Daily Lives
1. Be aware of your feelings of power.
2. Practice humility.
3. Stay focused on others, and give.
4. Practice respect.
5. Change the psychological context of powerlessness.
SOURCE: The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence. Dacher Keltner
Talks at Google. Dacher Keltner: The Power Paradox. https://youtu.be/2vJKyw6kFkw
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