Beware the power corruption

In his book The Power Paradox, author Dacher Keltner says this, ‘Power causes people to lose the kindness and modesty that got them elected or they never possessed those qualities in the first place.’

Power, when wielded indiscriminately or inhumanely is still the root of leadership evil. 

In my 40 years of work, it continues to be dressed up in the same way. 

We give power an office and a title. It is then the dominant voice that tells us - with considerable confidence - that people are our number one priority. Then it returns to the office and fires off an aggressive email on a Friday afternoon.

The tragedy isn't that power corrupts. It's that we keep handing it to the same personality type and expecting a different outcome. Call them what you like - the enforcer, the street fighter, the bully - they're still getting promoted.

Kindness, empathy and compassion it turns out, aren't soft skills. They are the hardest skills to protect as power keeps trying to kill them and only the truly strong bother trying.