The following post is from the blog archives from a year ago (originally published on March 30, 2015 http://www.5oclockreflections.com/power-with-not-power-over/).
Effective, inspired, leadership is about joining forces with the troops to generate formidable power. Unfortunately, too many people in positions of leadership prefer to power over those that work for them. The notion that “I am right because I am the boss,” is passé.
A position of leadership is not an excuse to be a bully, or to believe that one is always right. “My way, or the Highway” is old school, myopic thinking. Positions of leadership come with tremendous responsibility to take care of the team — to nurture, protect, champion ‘their’ cause.
Learning to ‘power with’ the team can be a competitive game changer. Using authority to power over is a sign of weakness.
Besides, bullying is an act of cowardice. Not a symbol of effective leadership.
About Hemant Rustogi