WHAT IS POWER?

Power is: “The capacity or ability to direct or influence the behaviour of others or the course of events.” That's what the Oxford Dictionary tells us.

We are all able to tap into our ability to direct and influence behaviours and courses of events, with or without money. Money opens doors of course, but you can shift people’s perceptions through stories, good arguments and your own energy.

I’ve always been attracted to “powerful” people, those who want something and make sure they create it.

Power is attractive.

And yet I want to point to different ways that power needs to be looked at because purely valuing the ability of creating change over other values can leave us in a pickle. Decision-making power is amazing, being a position that demands respect and execution of your ideas can be great but if you are a mother for example there are far greater abilities that will shift the behaviour and course of events. Your children won’t become wholehearted humans from your mental strength or persuasive domination skills What is far more influential is your ability to connect.

If you are a leader who wants to create collaboration, a strong go-get-it type power as much as it’s a great motivational injection at the right moment, will have you disconnected from the team in no time. Your ability to empathise, feel and relate are far more important.

We need to approach and develop it with more humanity; a full spectrum approach focussing on responsibility and thinking of more than oneself at times. Power is in you but needs to be cultivated not expected and developed along with our minds and hearts.

How will you develop yours today?