Power at work

What happens to people once they become “leaders”?

Iam confused about power and work. I think I am unclear how some seemingly good people become different people once they have power at work. I’m not naive. I have been working in the professional world for more than 10 years in many organizations of different sizes and different industries. I just don’t get it. Is it the control? Is it the influence? Is it feeling like you are in charge?

I don’t want to believe it is intentional but I get scared when I see good people become more concerned with work place politics, “being right” and “showing who is boss” than treating their colleagues with respect, kindness and honesty.

When people are more concerned with being right, than focusing on the value each member brings I think the real goal of working together to accomplish cool things has been lost.

The joy of work is instantly killed, trust falls to the wayside and power seeking thinking spreads like a virus within the organization.

Many times when this happens at a place you will see a revolving door of staff. Other times people will stay but it’s clear they are not happy.

The leaders I admire most are those who see themselves as equals to their colleagues whether they are the janitor, the front desk person or the CEO. Everyone likes to say they see everyone as the same. Everyone likes to think they are not that sort of person who treats others differently based on status. The ones who really seek egalitarian values, the ones who live it and don’t buckle under the weight of what others think are the most fascinating to me.

It’s not that they don’t value their place at the leadership helm, they just don’t get wrapped up in their own position. They know there are no leaders without a team to lead.

In my dream world, work would be a place where we give the very best of professional skills. We would be encouraged and rewarded by our leaders for good work and for challenging the status quo when we feel like it’s needed for the greater good.

We feel good about interactions with coworkers and “bosses” not because they are conflict free but because in those conflicts we become better versions of ourselves and take the organization to new heights.

We feel positively connected to our work and each other. This connection is not based in wanting to feel needed but rather in knowing if we do our best work teams will succeed whether or not we stay at our jobs for 1 year or 10 years. We have creative and personal freedom because their is trust and the belief of “good intent” even when things don’t go according to plan. We value people more than projects and are still able to do our very best work because there is mutual respect.

It’s a good dream isn’t it?

Maybe one day it will come true. And if you are a leader, it starts with you.