You know the story, but briefly, in 1975, I was invited to speak to a group of dentists. My lecture and the following hour of questions led to an invitation to visit their offices to help them with their staff issues. While working with the doctors and their staff, it became clear that the doctors were at the root of their staff’s problems.
The doctors’ communication with their staff was often condescending, like a parent communicating to a child or teachers to their students. What was missing was an adult and mutual relationship. This troubled me because I had been a boss/leader to many well-educated young people. I wondered how I related to them. I never checked and never knew, so I was totally blind, deaf, and dumb to my question.
I decided I needed to know more about communication, relationships, and, ultimately, power if I was going to help the doctors who employed me. I researched volumes on the subject and learned that nearly every relationship involved power in one way or another.
I took a risk and told the professionals who hired me, “you are the problem and not your staff.” I also clarified that they needed to be a student just like their staff when I taught. That they needed to turn their power over to me when I lectured. Many did just that, but a few were simply unable to change their way of being in control. I dropped them as clients.
With the application of my newfound knowledge, successful changes and individual growth took place, as did my reputation. I was invited all over the country and worked with many professionals and a wide variety of entrepreneurs. In every instance, power was fundamental. It was never about giving it up, only how it was used.