As you gain responsibility and authority, you gain power.
Will you use your power wisely???
As humans, it is easy for us to fall into certain “power traps,” as we gain authority. A recent article in Harvard Business Review outlined some of these. Just by being aware of them we can potentially avoid these:
*The Savior Trap. Some people can expect you to have all the answers. Consequently you can fall into the trap of thinking that you actually have those answers, rather than relying on your team. You can become a micromanager. Focus on being a facilitator of great ideas from the collective.
*The Complacency Trap. If you start thinking that you have all the answers, you can fall into a second trap – lack of curiosity. After all, you’ve seen it all before! But maybe not. The context is constantly changing. Continually second guess yourself. “What are we overlooking? What assumptions are we making?”
*The Avoidance Trap. Your former boss would not let you avoid tough challenges or uncomfortable interactions. But now that you are the boss, it is easy to totally avoid these or put them on the back burner. Of course, sooner or later they will come back to bite you – and they will have become even more difficult to resolve by then. Make a habit of running toward your most difficult challenges.
*The Friend Trap is acting like a peer, when you are not. You now need to hold your former peers accountable. And don’t play favorites. It’s lonely at the top! It is vital that you connect with other people – usually outside your organization – who have similar roles so you have a network of support and collegiality.
*The Stress Trap. Additional stress is inevitable as your responsibility increases. Self-care is not just a good thing to do for yourself, it needs to be an organizational priority. Make sure that you are getting your sleep, exercising, eating properly, and practicing mindfulness. Be careful not to become a full-blown workaholic.
Power doesn’t just change us, it changes those around us. It changes perceptions and expectations. Power can influence us in ways we do not even realize.
Use your power wisely. Watch out for these traps and try to maintain a “servant leader” perspective as you continue to receive more authority and responsibility. This attitude will carry you and your team a long way in making a Mission Impact.
*Ideas for this blog taken from: Diamond, J., Zigarmi, L, & Mones, L. “5 Traps to Avoid as You Gain Power as a Leader,” Harvard Business Review online, June 13, 2024.
