Power – an essential ingredient for success

Photo by Adam Hawkins http://anodizeproductions.com

Who has power over you and how do you use your personal power?

Power and success seem to be inevitably entwined and yet successful people are the first to acknowledge that the most important part of this is to learn how to have power over themselves.

Self mastery of thoughts, emotions and actions are more important than any power we have over others.

There is much complexity behind power. Why do people comply with power? What motivates people to allow others to have power? It might be the promise of riches, a share in the power, or meeting other personal needs. It might be part of a plot to form a coup to wrest power from the incumbent.

From the reasons for compliance we learn much about personal motivation and reward.

We have power because other people allow it, expecting us to use it for their benefit. Believing that we created the power for ourselves a well defined route to failure.

An ambition for harmony and common goals also needs to be interpreted from personal motivation. No matter how common the goals may look to a leader, each individual will interpret them in a personal way which can only be discovered by constant communication; i.e. listening.”

What are the positive uses of power in business? What examples do you have of its use in creating success?