THE PAPER TIGER MANAGER

"Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength."

Saint Francis de Sales, 16th century bishop of Geneva.

Substituting "powerful" for "strong" and "power" for "strength" works too.

But there is a catch.

Having to tell others you are these things is a good indication you're not.

THE TRUTH ABOUT POWER AND POSITION

"Power and position often make a man trifle with the truth."

George A. Smith, 19th century religious leader

It doesn't have to be that way but as the quote suggests it is often enough.

Try for it not to be when you are that man, that woman.

THE (FORMERLY) GREAT AND POWERFUL YOU

"The abuse of greatness is when it disjoins remorse from power."

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) British poet/playwright.

Break that connection and you ultimately break you.

Wanting To Is Not Enough

"He who is firm in will molds the world to himself."

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

18th century German poet/author

A poetic argument for being strong-willed, but what this doesn't mention is the equally important need for power to back up your conviction.

And it also doesn't take into account that one can be both strong-willed and wrong at the same time.

Just beginning your career, or maybe wondering why 10 years into it, you're not getting promotions as are your peers?

Think about your will power, ability to reason, and power to influence others, in concert with each other as opposed to being separate entities.

Too much of one, too little of the others and you won't get where you want to be.

I Know What You Know, Show Me What You've Done

"Knowledge is only potential power."

Napoleon Hill

20th century American speaker/writer

As one whose company sold millions of dollars worth of market research, I can say without hesitation this is absolutely correct.

So little of business knowledge ever gets acted upon and that which doesn't has zero value to anyone.

Who Controls You?

"Most powerful is he who has himself in his own power."

Seneca
5th century BC Roman philosopher

Self-control.

Do you have it?

Power Abuse

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

Abraham Lincoln

So true and the managers who most abuse power are often incapable of seeing that they do.

However the good news is, because of that, they look silly to most all around them and rarely last.

Tell Me What You Think

"If I had to reduce the responsibilities of a good follower to just one rule, it would be to speak the truth to power."

Warren Bennis
Organizational Consultant

I'll bet many of you never even thought about followers having responsibilities, nonetheless they do. Every relationship imposes them on both parties regardless of rank.

Of course, along with the requirement that the follower be ready to speak the truth to those in power is the responsibility of those in power being ready to listen, and of greater importance, not penalizing the follower for having done so.

Does it work that way in your organization?

Invisible Power

"Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength."

Eric Hoffer
Early 20th century American writer

Business succeeds when it promotes the best people with "best" being more than just technical knowledge.

One's position in an organization does not prove his or her power. Real power is transparent.

Too bad not everyone understands that as did Mr. Hoffer.