Powerful leaders:
- Fully align with organizational values, mission, and vision. Power comes to those who live under authority.
- Use your strengths to help powerful people reach their goals and weak people get ahead.
- Invite feedback and input from others. Those who explore options sit in the power chair.
- Identify your inner critic. Talk to yourself like someone with high potential.
- Pour yourself into meaningful purpose.
- Spend less time doing things that don’t matter.
- Err on the side of action.
- Break the rules and move forward without permission.
- See the big picture. Don’t get lost in the weeds.
- Accept others as they are, not as you wish they were, before calling them to rise up.
- Accept reality as it is, not as you wish it was. Power isn’t about pretending. Blame reflects weakness.
- Be grateful for what you have, even as you reach higher. Ungratefulness makes you weak.
- Show compassion and tenderness. Enhance your power by giving second chances.
- Learn from others but don’t lose yourself to imitation.
- Hold yourself and others to high standards.
- Solve problems don’t make them. Be a can-do rather than a can’t-do person.
- Acknowledge what you can’t do; focus on what you can.
- Finish stuff.
- Ask questions.
- Be persistent.
- Practice generosity.
- Avoid impulsive decisions.
- Call out the elephant in the room.
- Cultivate an inner circle who believes in you.
- Say what you think with candor and kindness.
- Practice saying no to something or someone without offering an excuse.
- Admit mistakes and make them right. Say, “I was wrong,” without making excuses.
- Seek counsel from wise leaders and advice from experienced. Decision-makers who seek counsel are in the power position.
- Talk over options in small groups before making declarations to large.
- Love people.
Which power-principles seem most useful to you?
What would you add to the list?