CA Grooming: "Power: Why Some People Have It and Others Don't ! "

Power: Why Some People Have It and Others Don't

Jeffrey Pfeffer professor of organizational behavior at Stanford
University, in his latest book, posits that intelligence, performance,
and likeability alone are not the key to moving up in an organization;
instead, he asserts, self promotion, building relationships, cultivating
a reputation for control and authority, and perfecting a powerful
demeanor are vital drivers of advancement and success. The book has a
realpolitik analysis of human behavior that isn't for everyone but its
candor, crisp prose, and forthrightness are fresh and appealing.

Is the need for power an evil motivation driven by greed and lust, or is
it a worthy goal that produces wealth, longevity, and leadership?
Pfeffer asks us to consider the more positive reasons that we reach for
power in our professional lives in order to feel in control, get
wealthy, and achieve our goals. The desire for power is a topic that is
often overlooked or disparaged in most inspirational leadership books
because leaders presenting their own careers as models tend to portray
themselves as noble and good, and omit discussing the power plays that
they used to get to the top. According to Pfeffer, we need to stop
seeing the world as a just and fair place, and actively develop those
qualities needed to achieve power. He offers advice on how to obtain the
initial position on the first rung of the ladder to power, how to take
advantage of social networks, build a reputation, and overcome setbacks.
Pfeffer never answers the question as to whether power leads to
happiness, but he insists that having it will ultimately put you in a
better place. --David Siegfried


In this crowning achievement, one of the greatest minds in management
theory reveals how to succeed and wield power in the real world. Over
decades of consulting with corporations and teaching MBA students the
nuances of organizational power, Jeffrey Pfeffer has watched numerous
people suffer career reversals even as others prevail despite the odds.

Our most common mistake is not having a realistic understanding of what
makes some people more successful than others. By believing that life is
fair, we tend to subscribe to the "just-world phenomenon," which
leaves us unprepared for the challenges and competition of the real
world.

Now Pfeffer brings decades of his incredible insights to a wider
audience. Brimming with counterintuitive advice, numerous examples from
various countries, and surprising findings based on his research, this
groundbreaking guide reveals the strategies and tactics that separate
the winners from the losers. Power, he argues, is a force that can be
used and harnessed not only for individual gain but also for the benefit
of organizations and society. Power, however, is not something that can
be learned from those in charge—their advice often puts a rosy spin
on their ascent and focuses on what should have worked, rather than what
actually did. Instead, Pfeffer reveals the true paths to power and
career success. Iconoclastic and grounded in the realpolitik of human
interaction, Power is an essential organizational survival manual and a
new standard in the field of leadership and management.


CA Grooming: "Power: Why Some People Have It and Others Don't ! "