Power & Influence

Power and influence are potentially strong emotional issues. Depending on how used and interpreted, they can grow or diminish a person. My concern is that those in power work to empower those they lead so that “growth” is one’s chosen path, creating a sense of ownership and improved participation. Compare this to people being treated as things and feeling like pawns; where are the benefits? Note that how one feels influences behavior. To believe “feelings” have nothing or little to do with relationships is to miss much of what brings and holds people together. Through research and “hands-on work,” I have learned that “communication is clearly the problem to the answers we seek between us.” And that when we respect and give time to understanding each other’s thoughts and feelings, the likelihood of a positive and productive relationship increases. Those that use their power wisely know that feelings have much to do with people’s behavior.

Another issue for those in power is that when they use this power and influence to satisfy their own needs, they assume agreement is unnecessary when it is essential to the contract. People are not things to be used as parts of a machine while treating agreement as unimportant influences. This negative attitude harms the relationship and the job to be done. The leader that listens, understands, and confirms their followers and seriously seeks what is felt about their relationship and discussion wins—as does the follower. Powerful people that nurture good feelings in those they lead will also share the benefits.

We are what we inherit, but I believe that we are mostly what we experience. Our behavior is a result of one, the other, or a mix of the two. Which predominates may depend on a third force, and that is the powers that rule our life.
Sy

Author: Sy Ogulnick

Sy Ogulnick received a BA from UCLA, Teacher’s Credential from Los Angeles Board of Education and completed phase I (Master’s portion) in a Doctor of Behavioral Science program at California Coast University. Sy leased and operated a summer day camp in LA. He and his wife then purchased virgin wilderness land in Northern CA, where they built and operated a coed summer camp. They moved to Las Vegas, NV, and purchased, built and operated a community children’s program for families staying in a major resort casino in Las Vegas. They have created programs for children nationwide that employed many people and in the process developed successful training programs for personnel. This led Sy to lecture on how to train staff and the creating of community within the workplace. Sy was then invited to speak at professional conferences on how best to hire and train employees, which led to his becoming a consultant in the art of improving relationships in a work environment and eventually to his epiphany that “Leaders are the primary problem and the answer to the personnel issues that arise in the workplace.” Sy has written numerous papers on the subject of interpersonal relationships, leadership and power. He has lectured throughout the United States, has been interviewed by the media and has appeared on many radio and TV talk shows View all posts by Sy Ogulnick