Leadership Power: Leveraging the positive and avoiding the dark side...
By Judith Hirst, Greenbank Head of Leadership Development
Leaders and Senior Leadership Teams have the power to both drive business performance and influence the culture of an organisation. They are role models for others and their decisions often impact thousands of people.
And – as originally said by Voltaire – but perhaps made more memorable by Obi Wan Kenobi, ‘With great power comes great responsibility’. So, if you are a leader, understanding the impact of the power you have is vital, because power is a double-edged sword – while it can drive positive change and innovation, it can also lead to negative behaviours and strained relationships!
A good start here is to understand the neuroscience behind how power affects our brains…
The Positive Side of Power
Power can boost confidence, enhance decision-making, and foster a strong sense of control.
When people feel powerful, their brains release neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which are associated with feelings of reward and well-being. This can lead to increased motivation and a proactive approach to challenges which they are facing.
Power can also enhance strategic thinking and focus. Studies have shown that individuals in positions of power tend to have a broader perspective, enabling them to think more strategically and make long-term plans. The increased sense of control can also sharpen focus, allowing leaders to concentrate on their goals and drive organisational success.
The Dark Side of Power
However, power can also have detrimental effects on behaviour. Research shows that individuals in positions of power can be more likely to resort to rude, selfish, or even unethical behaviour. This phenomenon, known as the “corrupting influence of power”, can have a serious impact on their personal reputation as well as relationships with others and levels of trust.
Power and Reduced Empathy
Neuroscience studies reveal that power can directly alter our brain function – reducing empathy and increasing self-focus. Powerful individuals often demonstrate a poorer understanding of others’ emotions, leading to a decrease in empathy. As a result they can be less accurate in judging the emotions of others and can be more prone to using stereotypes. This can lead to an inability to connect with others on an emotional level, making it difficult to build and maintain healthy relationships.
Increased Risk-Taking
Power can also lead to an increase in risk-taking behaviour. The surge of confidence and the feeling of invulnerability that often accompany power can cause leaders to take bolder, and sometimes reckless, actions. Brain studies indicate that power dampens activity in areas associated with caution and risk assessment. While this can drive innovation and bold decisions, it can also result in hasty choices with unintended consequences.
Strategies to avoid the Pitfalls of Power
So, the challenge for any leader is how to harness the positive whilst mitigating the negative. Here are 6 suggestions on how to do this…
1 – Develop Increased Self Awareness:
Leaders should be mindful of the changes in their behaviour as they gain more power. Increased self-reflection can help leaders recognise the warning signs that they are moving to the ‘dark side’ and adjust their actions accordingly.
2 – Cultivate Empathy:
Empathy is crucial for maintaining healthy relationships. Take the time to ask questions and really listen to what others have to say. Try to put yourself in the shoes of others, seek opinions and different perspectives and let others see you are sincerely interested in what they have to say.
3 – Practice Gratitude:
Expressing gratitude can counteract the negative effects of power. Acknowledging the contributions of others and showing appreciation can foster a positive work environment. It can make a huge difference and costs nothing!
4 – Proactively Seek Feedback:
Creating channels for honest feedback can help leaders stay grounded and aware of their impact on others. Regularly seeking input from team members can also prevent the isolation that often comes with power.
5 – Foster Collaboration:
Promoting a collaborative culture can mitigate the negative tendencies that come with power. Encouraging teamwork and shared goals can lead to more ethical and effective leadership.
6 – Assess Risks Objectively:
Before making significant decisions, leaders should take a step back to evaluate the risks and benefits objectively. Consulting with trusted advisors and considering potential consequences can help mitigate excessive risk-taking.
In summary....
By understanding the neuroscience of power and implementing these strategies, leaders can harness its positive aspects while avoiding its negative impacts. This balanced approach can lead to more effective and compassionate leadership, benefiting both individuals and organisations.
About Greenbank
Greenbank are an innovative, ‘boutique’ consultancy delivering completely tailored leadership, negotiation and sales development programmes to clients ranging from top 5 global firms to tech start-ups.
We are now delighted to be running truly blended programmes, which make the most of both virtual platforms and interactive face-to-face workshops, to deliver motivational, cost-effective development.
We also have our own industry-leading, multi-lingual, 360° assessment platform, Navigator360 which provides our clients and other training providers with a completely flexible approach to gathering powerful confidential feedback.
If you would like to discuss how we can help your own leadership teams, then we would be delighted to have a relaxed conversation – please use the contact button below or phone us on (+44) 7812 074359.