Insights ... at your fingertips

History can attest to the dichotomy of power. Being in a position of authority is kind of like eating broccoli: You have the potential to make a positive impact (on your health, for example), yet the after-effects of too much of it could empty out a room and turn you into a social pariah.

This isn’t to say that everyone is bound to let power get to their head. There are several historical leaders who, when given a position of authority, were able to accomplish what many view as great strides. Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Queen Elizabeth I, and so on. Then there are the ones who lived up to the infamy of tyranny, and who used their influence to the advancement of their own desires, often to the detriment of others.

Why the duality? Why is it that some people seem to have an almost innate understanding that with great power comes great responsibility? How are they able to remain objective, controlled, fair-minded, and not give in to the urge to go Henry the VIII on everyone? It’s clear that having the power to tell others what to do, to be in a position that automatically commands respect, is addictive. So it’s no surprise that sometimes, it can get to people’s heads. This doesn’t mean that power corrupts absolutely, but it can mean very different things to different people.

There are some traits, according to our research using the Dominance Test, which can potentially pre-dispose people to abuse authority if given such responsibility:

• Extreme competitiveness
• A tendency to want to dominate and control others regardless of the situation
• A self-serving attitude towards power.

And this hunger for power and control has its consequences. “Power trippers” are more likely to have problems in their professional and personal relationships. They are also less satisfied with their job, and tend to see power as important, if not crucial, to their success. In essence, those who are power-hungry are more likely to believe that being in a position of power will improve their life. How?

Power trippers believe that once given a position of authority, they will get the respect and social status they feel they deserve. In fact, 62% of people in our sample believe that being in a position of power will improve their life. This could be the case for some people, but it depends a great deal on their personality. There are those who, when given power, will use it to make a difference that benefits a lot of people. Those who are more self-serving and who use their influence over others as a way to boost their ego are more likely to alienate others. Power is a tool that, when used the wrong way, can do a lot of harm.

Attitude toward power, it seems, plays a major role in how a person will wield their authority. When comparing people with a self-serving view of power to those who believe that it is something that should be used responsibly, our research revealed some surprising differences:

• 88% of those who are self-serving will use intimidation to get what they want, compared to 7% of the responsible group.
• 98% of those who are self-serving see power as a way to improve their social status, compared to 8% of the responsible group.
• 88% of those who are self-serving believe that doing their best is not enough – they need to BE the best (compared to 26% of the responsible group).
• 96% of those who are self-serving dislike being outperformed by others, compared to 31% of the responsible group.
• 81% of those who are self-serving believe that being in a position of power is the ONLY way they can gain the respect of others, compared to 1% of the responsible group.
• 96% of those who are self-serving believe that being in a position of power means that they are superior to others, compared to 1% of the responsible group.
• 89% of those who are self-serving stated that they are much more confident in a position of authority than when they are expected to follow, compared to 1% of the responsible group.
• 78% of those who are self-serving feel uneasy when they are not the ones in charge of a task, compared to 15% of the responsible group.
• 95% of those who are self-serving aim to win…even in friendly competitions, compared to 20% of the responsible group.
• Only 29% of the self-serving group would put other people’s needs first if given a position of power, compared to 83% of the responsible group.

Being in a position of power doesn’t make you a leader; it doesn’t give you charisma. And what a lot of people don’t realize is the fact that when you pull rank to make sure people do what you want them to do, you lose some of that power. They may very well follow your orders, but will do so grudgingly. So the morale of this story is, if you have power and want to keep it, use it sparingly, when it really matters and for the good of the whole.

Here are some tips:

Preventing your own power trips

• Learn to trust. You may feel a strong urge to take control in certain situations, but realize that you simply can't have your way all the time. Take a deep breath. Let someone else take charge and make the decisions. You'll discover that other people are much more competent than you're giving them credit for.

• Build your sense of self-worth. Although it appears to come from over-confidence, a desire for power can actually stem from low self-esteem and a need to prove one's worth. Power can offer us a sense of superiority over others, which can be a really good feeling. Unfortunately, it tends to be empty and short-lived. If you find yourself aggressively pursuing power, consider whether boosting your self-worth could help you chill out.

• Life is NOT a contest. If you're a power-seeker, you likely go over the top with your competitive spirit. While a little competition can be healthy, too much can really rub other people the wrong way. Pick your battles carefully; when it really matters, let your competitive side come out. So go ahead, and let your little niece win a board game.

Dealing with people on power trips

• Stand up for yourself. Power-seekers can be overwhelming, but don't let them walk all over you. A person who craves power may resort to intimidation, manipulation or downright aggression. Don't be afraid to be assertive:

• Tame them with kindness. Trying to kick a power-hungry person off their high horse will only make them hold on tighter. Rather than getting upset when someone is adamant on having things done their way, try your best to maintain your composure and turn on the charm.

If you’re interested in using tests for HR purposes, request a free trial of ARCH Profile.