How leaders handle power is perhaps one of the most intriguing studies in human behavior. It turns out that very few can handle it with balance, humility, a learning mindset, objectivity, and most of all, in the service of their organizations.
Many of these individuals when they are working their way up to power are “one of the gang”. They exhibit teamwork, empathy, and understanding. They share their views regarding ways the organization can be improved and are happy to lend a hand in fixing it. However, when they are given a small dose of power, they are seduced into a high that takes over their thinking and behaviors.
Whereas they used to “break bread” with you and have transparent and two-way conversations, they start to converse in the elitist language of the powerful.
