As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, Dee Hock, founder and former CEO of VISA, has some pretty revolutionary ideas related to leadership. I love to read words from others that make me think. Words spoken or written that force one to think possess the potential to influence and shape the beliefs and actions of others for the better. I know that throughout history, some pretty evil people have leveraged words to influence the masses to destroy. Those words were spoken by people who used their craftiness to cause people to feel rather than think before acting. There is a difference between acting purely from an emotional base as opposed to acting from a rational base.
And thus my reference to the next Dee Hock quote that causes me to think and hopefully to act more meaningfully and purposefully.
In his article entitled “On Chaordic Leadership,” Mr. Hock said, “True power is never used. If you use power, you never really had it.” Think about that one for a moment. One never has to wield true power. One never has to USE true power to get things done. Many leaders today feed on the need to “be in charge” and therefore use the power of position to impose their will on subordinates. Even when they dress their authority in frilly words, they still carry a negatively forceful impact. Contrary to the intent of this ill conceived use of power to get things done, the opposite is often the case. People who find themselves targets of power hungry individuals, resist! It is a natural reaction. The Lakota people have a proverb that says, “Force, no matter how concealed, begets resistance.”
So there you have it. Power, to be effective, must never be used. Contrary to popular opinion, the use of power actually disables one’s ability to lead, inspire or accomplish. Power is best lived from a place of self-knowledge, temperance and purposeful resolve. The most effective leaders avoid using the power of position to force subordinates to bend to their demands. The most effective leaders avoid using the power of enticement to carry out their plans. The most effective leaders avoid using the power of intimidation to gain loyalty. When leaders resort to the use of power, they verify the fact that they never really possessed it to begin with.
So here’s the challenge. Take stock of the power you possess. Does it lie in your knowledge base? Does it reside in your intellect? Does it find expression in your wisdom? Does it flow through quality relationships your create and nurture? Does it seep from the pores of your character as you influence the lives of those whom you encounter?
True Power is never used. True Power animates the best in you to give the best of you for the best of those around you.
Think about it, won’t you?
Peace!
Mark E. Hundley
