Using, sharing, and giving POWER

Leadership and power go hand in hand.  With one you have the other, whether you like it or not. Powerful decision makers don't make great leaders, and those in leadership don't always use their powers wisely.  We can't ignore power as a leader, but we can ensure that we reshape the power we have.  Power can be used, shared, or even given away!!!

When I do things for you, I take the power.  The leader who abuses the power doesn't build people, they use people.  The leader who always feels the need to do it all, makes all the decisions, and rips the autonomy from their team is abusing power.  That pattern of behavior is dangerous, and will lead to turnover in an organization and limited success.   

When we do things together, we share the power.  The leader who makes it a point to discuss, to collaborate, and to reshape their opinions based on the influence of others is confident enough to allow dissent, discussion, and distance to better ideas.  Powerful teams of people, through engaged collaboration, will find deep success through a shared vision and mission. 

When you do things for yourself, I give you my power.  The leader who believes in you, wants you to take their power.  If a relationship has been developed that is built on trust through aligned values, there is no reason why your leader should not only allow you to drive the cadillac, but also allow you to take full credit for your work.  The leader that gives is the leader who is able to sit back, in the shadows, and really celebrate how they have used their power through the gift of developing other leaders.  

Leaders will need to use power in many ways, but leaders who build other leaders, are the ones who will continue to grow themselves, their organizations, and their successes in leadership!