Power – How to assume it, delegate it and put it at the service of collective success?
In a societal context where the word “power” resonates in a particular way, this episode of TRACES offers a fundamental analysis of the exercise of power within organizations. Far from being merely a source of corruption, power is presented as a functional and necessary force for effective collective action.
Power: An Organizer of Action and Responsibility
Discover why power is consubstantial with the human being and indispensable to coordination within a company. It defines clear relationships, often hierarchical, which confer on each person the status of an agent. When it is healthy, power is very organizing and facilitates action, making it possible to save on preliminaries and ensure the efficiency of the group, like a conductor leading a symphony. The key lies in the indissociable link between power and the responsibility attached to it.
The Painful Art of Delegation
The episode insists that true delegation is a “wrenching away” and not merely the transfer of uninteresting tasks. Delegation hurts because it is a delegation of power. For it to succeed, it must be formalized, engaging the responsibility of the collaborator. The experts emphasize a crucial point: it is essential to ask whether the collaborator accepts this delegation of power and the responsibility that comes with it.
Moreover, the individual can only let go of their power if they are drawn toward another mission, which forces leaders to seek out new things and to grow.
Counter-Powers: The Boundary Between Leadership and Manipulation
Power is a “hard drug” that can quickly become toxic and manipulative when exercised against others. Counter-productive power serves particular interest rather than the general interest.
To counter this drift and the disintegrating effect of power on personality, leaders must surround themselves with strong and free counter-powers, such as executive committees or a “court jester.” These safeguards must constantly question decisions to ensure they serve the general interest. However, the discussion recalls that room must be left for the leader’s brilliance and the risk-taking necessary for the vitality of the company.
Self-Preservation and Aligned Power
The episode decodes the self-preservation of power, which manifests itself through areas of the organization where information no longer circulates. To remedy this, it is crucial to rotate managers and to learn that a leader’s promotion is linked to their capacity to help others grow.
The effective leader is one who exercises aligned power: they return to their purpose and fully assume their place without apologizing for being a leader. Tomorrow’s manager must work on their self-assurance to embody credible and fair power.
Listen to this episode to transform your view of power and learn to exercise it with awareness, responsibility and efficiency!