How much power is too much? How do we share power? How do we ensure power is not seized? These are the leadership questions that came up when news broke about the former Prime Minister’s secret ministries. There are important tips for all leaders about how we wield power. Beware!
Important Links:
Leadership insight: Power is a drug - sip carefully!
What do we know about power? In his book, the Power Paradox, Dacher Keltner reveals:
We are granted power by doing good for others.
Power is energising and distracting; it can cause us to lose inhibitions, decreases empathy, and gives rise to hubris.
Keltner describes the effect of power as a type of ‘brain damage’.
Why you should listen: there by the grace of God go I…
We can all fall prey to the traps of power - beware!
Why Scott Morrison’s secret ministries are a warning bell for the resilience of democracy
How all leaders need to do rigorous self inquiry to avoid the power traps.
We explore leadership habits of checking power
Ask yourself, “where am I hoarding power? Why? How? What is the cost of that?”
Ask yourself, “How can you check your power? Have you got someone external to your role or organisation who can keep you humble and grounded?
Develop humility, curiosity, and compassion as antidotes to power traps
Step up and commit to civic responsibilities by calling out abuses of power where you see them.
👉🏼 Want to share your experience? Ask a question? Share a resource? Jump on our podcast Facebook page here.
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Related episodes on leadership insights and power:
271 Fear and conflict: leadership insights on the Larapinta Trail
263 First look and listen of The Olympus Project
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About your host, Canberra leadership expert Zoë Routh:
Zoë Routh is one of Australia’s leading experts on people stuff - the stuff that gets in our way of producing results, and the stuff that lights us up. She works with the growers, makers, builders to make people stuff fun and practical.
Zoë is the author of four books: Composure - How centered leaders make the biggest impact, Moments - Leadership when it matters most, Loyalty - Stop unwanted staff turnover, boost engagement, and build lifelong advocates, and People Stuff - Beyond Personalities: An advanced handbook for leadership. People Stuff was awarded Book of the Year 2020 by the Smart WFM Australian Business Book Awards.
Zoë is also the producer of The Zoë Routh Leadership Podcast.