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Introduction- Power at Work
What do you think of when you hear the word power? Especially when you think of power at work?
Most people typically conjure images of people scheming to earn high-status positions by manipulating, deceiving, abusing power, by pursuing Machiavellian, ethically questionable ways of winning power. Then, once they have it, they savor in the thrill of watching the people under them do what they say when they say. They say “jump,” and you ask, “how high?”
Ok, ok, making I’m getting a little bit carried away (possibly reflecting on experience), but no matter which way you slice it, the notion of power at work or in our society isn’t pretty. Even admitting that you want power is taboo.
But, power dynamics are all around us. Ignoring them and pretending they don’t exist won’t make them go away. Power feels like a dirty word, and few people actually have the formal power they want or need to feel satisfied.
The problem is that for most, it feels uncomfortable to admit the desire for more power. It feels wrong or manipulative. However, both society and work are a place for competition. Human beings leverage their power in different contexts and through diverse modes, and the choice is either to fight for power or accept power from…
