#110: The lack of power corrupts

Power corrupts. Or so we believe. And yet, it is feeling powerless which truly corrupts.

Why? Because people who feel powerless tend become dysfunctional.

Most organizations operate according to the notion that some people are paid to think and others are paid to do as they are told. This approach empowers managers to demand that workers shut up and listen.

And it empowers workers to stop thinking on the job and to do nothing unless instructed.

Don’t assume that it is up to the people in power to break this spell. Yes, society does expect responsible adults to help children improve their behavior. But workers are not children, they are not really powerless and they are equally responsible.

Workers are responsible adults away from work and are therefore quite capable of being responsible adults at work. As responsible adults they can choose not to be drawn into dysfunctional behavior triggered by power-corrupted managers.

Now that’s powerful!



I’m JamesMcIntosh@nonsenseatwork.com

Copyright: 2008 James Henry McIntosh

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