Ignore Power At Your Own Peril
Plus Three Ways To Take Power Seriously
Power shapes you and the world around you.
Yet most people ignore it, misunderstand its influence or pretend it doesn’t matter. This blind spot is dangerous.
Too much power corrupts, but too little renders us helpless. Powerlessness doesn’t just hurt individuals; it destabilizes societies, fueling division, authoritarianism, and decay.
The truth is, ignoring power doesn't shield you. To understand and master power is to shape your life and make a difference in the world.
Power Is A Double-Edged Sword
Too much power can corrupt. It can make us:
More aggressive
More risk-seeking and less vigilant
More egocentric and less empathetic.
It can be a recipe for disaster if decision-makers are not aware of these effects.
And too little power can render us helpless. It can:
Trigger stress, and if chronic, hurt our mental & physical health
Make us passive and shy away from taking action (instead, power releases the psychological brakes on taking action)
Make us prey to extreme and misleading remedies.
So you need to strike the balance because both too much and too little power are dangerous.
But I'd say powerlessness is what we should be more afraid of right now.
Powerlessness Is A Neglected Danger
[T]here is no greater mistake and no graver danger than not to see that in our own society we are faced with the same phenomenon that is fertile soil for the rise of Fascism anywhere: the insignificance and powerlessness of the individual.“
- Erich Fromm in 'Escape from Freedom' (1941)
Powerlessness is fertile ground for authoritarianism.
Erich Fromm observed this in 1941. He warned that modern freedom, while granting personal liberties, also brings the existential burden of making meaning from them. Being free to make choices in life also puts the onus on us (not family, religion or the state) to make those choices - and that's not always easy. In fact, sometimes it's easier to shy away from them. When we avoid this challenge, we seek escape—through authoritarianism, conformity, or destruction.
Hannah Arendt echoed this in her analysis of totalitarianism. She showed how totalitarian movements exploit isolated individuals, dismantle public spaces, and enforce rigid narratives that suffocate individuality.
Powerlessness is a societal risk.
Right now, this risk is real:
A decline in trust in democracy
An increase in support for authoritarians (in voting & opinion)
Strengthening divides, especially across economic and cultural cleavages
Addressing this risk must include taking power and powerlessness seriously.
Three Ways To Take Power Seriously
So where can you start?
Become great at getting things done
It boosts your sense of feeling in control (autonomy as key intrinsic motivator)
It boosts your sense of being good at what you do (competence as key intrinsic motivator)
Plus: people will notice and may strive to follow your example (mimetic desire)
Bring out the best in others
Listen as if nothing else matters - give others the present of being present
Trust in their potential
Support & challenge them
Learn about power and apply its principles. Start with (my book notes on):
That's what I'm focusing on.
And there is so much more to uncover:
Amplify your personal power - know yourself, refocus on what matters, be resilient
Master political power - gain and navigate it wisely
Handle power with integrity - stay grounded & purposeful and avoid blind spots
Empower the person in front of you - bring out the best in others one conversation at a time
Organize powerful teams & organizations - create shared ownership and systems that amplify everyone's contribution towards a shared goal
Which of these five topics do you want to read more about?
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