Power Hungry Leaders Are Weak
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Power and authority doesn’t make anyone a great leader.
I’ll just say this upfront, and with love: if you’re a leader who gets a thrill from having power and authority over other people, you’re very likely not as effective as you think you are.
Topic this week is a little spicy, but it’s an important truth about leadership and power dynamics. Leadership isn’t about you being “in charge.” It’s about how you show up for the people you lead.
“Leadership isn’t about you being “in charge.” It’s about how you show up for the people you lead.”
The illusion of power-based leadership.
There’s a certain kind of leader who sees leadership as control over others; being excited by calling the shots, giving orders for people to follow, and having a team to support them and their role as leader. Some (many) that enjoy that people are afraid of them on some level.
But the reality about that kind of leadership is that teams led by fear and authority will comply, but they won’t really care. They’ll meet expectations but not be motivated to exceed them. They’ll do what’s required, not what’s possible.
People try harder in their jobs when they feel like the person or company they’re working for actually cares about them as humans.
You can get short-term results through authority. But long-term engagement, creativity, and loyalty come from something deeper.
“People try harder in their jobs when they feel like the person or company they’re working for actually cares about them as humans.”
What real leadership looks like.
Truly effective leaders don’t lead with fear; they lead with authenticity, vulnerability, and grace. They understand that being in a leadership role doesn’t make them better than anyone else, it just means they have a different job to fulfill.
They embrace a mindset of being in service of their team, not the other way around. They say things to their team like:
“I don’t have all the answers.”
“Mistakes are an inevitable part of the process.”
“What do you think? I value your perspective.”
When you lead like that — openly, honestly, and without pretense — people respond. They feel safe to contribute ideas, give feedback, and engage as their best, authentic selves. They’re not just following because they have to. They’re choosing to.
Vulnerability is strength.
There’s a misconception in leaders that love authority that being vulnerable or human makes you seem weak. But the exact opposite is true. It takes real strength to lead without waving authority around like a stick.
People don’t respect the facade of perfection, they respect sincerity. When leaders admit they don’t know everything, ask for input, and treat their team like partners, they earn trust. And that trust becomes the foundation for higher performance, engagement, and retention.
“People don’t respect the facade of perfection, they respect sincerity. Leaders who show up as genuine, caring, imperfect human beings are simply more effective.”
Being real is a better move.
Leaders who show up as genuine, caring, imperfect human beings are simply more effective.
Their teams try harder, care more,and people stay in their roles for longer.
Power may control people, but authenticity, selflessness, and generosity inspires them. In the end, that’s what real leadership looks like.
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This article was created by Galen Emanuele for the #culturedrop. Free leadership and team culture content in less than 5 minutes a week. Check out the rest of this month's content and subscribe to the Culture Drop at https://bit.ly/culturedrop
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