Kallie, Week 12: Defining Power
What comes to mind when you think of “power”? For many, power conjures images of authority figures: presidents, monarchs, company executives, and so on and so forth; people granted important positions or titles who have immense control. Others think of power from the inside: the power to make choices for oneself, the power to speak one’s will.
However, in his article, “What Is Power, Really?,” Rick Miller explores an alternative perspective, breaking power down into several key aspects.
First, power is “influence.” But not just any form of influence; true power comes with the sort of influence that “resonates and uplifts” other people. Offering support is more important than getting support; “service is the highest form of leadership.” And of course, if you can achieve this, people will naturally gravitate towards you and be willing to listen to you, just as you listen to them.
In order to influence others, a powerful person must have “insight.” This means being able to thoughtfully reflect upon oneself, and learn and grow from any shortcomings or failures that are identified. It is often said that people grow the most from their mistakes, but this is only true if that person allows themself to; a person cannot grow from a mistake if the mistake is not first recognized and acknowledged.
Additionally, power is “clarity,” which is achieved through discipline. Miller argues that the truly powerful can create environments in which each individual is compelled to engage in self-discipline. In an ideal situation, discipline from the top is rarely necessary; constantly having to exercise “power” in the form of punishment only indicates poor leadership. Naturally, setting a good example is the first step; one must have self-discipline before they can encourage others to do the same.
Given the nature of “power” as Miller defines it, he argues that power is “available to everyone, no matter their position or title.” And you, too, can wield power.
However, in his article, “What Is Power, Really?,” Rick Miller explores an alternative perspective, breaking power down into several key aspects.
First, power is “influence.” But not just any form of influence; true power comes with the sort of influence that “resonates and uplifts” other people. Offering support is more important than getting support; “service is the highest form of leadership.” And of course, if you can achieve this, people will naturally gravitate towards you and be willing to listen to you, just as you listen to them.
In order to influence others, a powerful person must have “insight.” This means being able to thoughtfully reflect upon oneself, and learn and grow from any shortcomings or failures that are identified. It is often said that people grow the most from their mistakes, but this is only true if that person allows themself to; a person cannot grow from a mistake if the mistake is not first recognized and acknowledged.
Additionally, power is “clarity,” which is achieved through discipline. Miller argues that the truly powerful can create environments in which each individual is compelled to engage in self-discipline. In an ideal situation, discipline from the top is rarely necessary; constantly having to exercise “power” in the form of punishment only indicates poor leadership. Naturally, setting a good example is the first step; one must have self-discipline before they can encourage others to do the same.
Given the nature of “power” as Miller defines it, he argues that power is “available to everyone, no matter their position or title.” And you, too, can wield power.
Hi Kallie,
ReplyDeleteThis blog was supremely entertaining as you identified and elaborated upon how power conjures up authoritative figures. I felt your description was remarkable as you described an alternative perspective by breaking it down into several aspects. Through examples like insight and clarity you mentioned how power is in the support you receive from people who naturally gravitate towards you as they lend their ear in listening to your problems. You also mentioned how Miller argued that power has compelling involvement in self- discipline. In analyzing how Miller introduced the fact that power is available readily for those who desire to wield it, you were able to successfully and flawlessly convey your take and definition of power through Miller's eyes. Along with sufficient evidence and analysis you were able to thoroughly and clearly depict the availability of power in today's society. Overall, I admire your writing and found the topic to be intriguing. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Kaile! I enjoyed reading your blog piece which defines what exactly power is, a refreshing and insightful interpretation where I learned much useful information which I will apply to my blog next week. Before reading your blog and throughout this quarter’s topic, I saw power as an untaingible influence which is carefully amassed over years and years of work. However, I find Rick Miller’s formulaic layers of power to be more insightful than my previous interpretation. I specifically connected with Miller’s first layer: influence. A famous phrase I recall when reading about this section is “It’s not what you know but who you know.” Although I personally believe that success is a combination of both knowledge and personal network, I find this quote connects with Miller’s first layer as being able to have strong connections is crucial for success in all aspects of life and a person’s career. I think this seamlessly connects with the second layer of “insight” as the best way to grow one network with other talented individuals is to share your insight and findings with them. Thank you for sharing your experiences!
ReplyDeleteHey Kallie! Your blog offers a refreshing perspective on the concept of power, focusing more on its nuanced aspects rather than the conventional ideas of authority and control. By highlighting influence, insight, and clarity as key components, you are challenging readers to reconsider their preconceived notions, stimulating critical thinking and opening up opportunities for deeper exploration. It also helps readers understand that power isn't solely about commanding others but also about positively influencing and uplifting them. This nuanced understanding enriches the discourse on leadership and personal empowerment. While your blog provides a solid foundation, there's potential to further expand on certain concepts. For instance, diving deeper into real-life examples or case studies could help illustrate your points and make them more relatable to readers. Also, exploring the intersectionality of power with factors like privilege and social dynamics could enrich your blog. Overall, your blog offers a thought-provoking perspective on power that challenges conventional wisdom and inspires readers to rethink their approach to leadership and influence. I enjoyed reading you blog and I look forward to reading more from you in the future!
ReplyDeleteHi Kallie,
ReplyDeleteYour blog provides a brief discussion of what "power" means. I like how you did not overcomplicate the topic by diving into multiple sources, but instead elaborating on the thoughts of a specific author. I also like how you incorporated a little prequel before you dwelled into the intricacies discussed in the article. However, by far my favorite part of your blog was your selection of its central focus of defining what power is; I found it unique and intriguing to read a blog that does not simply discuss a form of power, but dives into what the term actually means. Although your inclusion of the insights from an article helped maintain a formal tone and take an objective stance towards the discussion, in my opinion the blog would have been a more compelling read if you incorporated your own thoughts about what power is. This would allow you to offer your reader a more nuanced understanding of what power is, while helping them understand how you feel about the subject. Still, your informative approach still holds its merit as it enables you to take a less opinionated glance at the topic. Overall, I believe your blog was well-written and discussed the definition of power in well-constructed way.
Hi Kallie! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on power. I found your blog especially interesting, because it's one of the first to really explore a scholarly opinion and dissect it. Your thorough analysis has gotten my mind churning and helped me craft some new perspective on what power means.
ReplyDeleteYour breakdown of power into key aspects such as influence, insight, and clarity resonated deeply with me. I particularly appreciated your emphasis on the idea that true power lies in the ability to uplift and support others, rather than simply exerting control over them. The societal perspective on this is slowly changing but still needs stronger voices like yours to evolve rapidly. The growing role of women in society is testament to change, but the dominance over the common people in North Korea supports the opposite side.
The notion that power is available to everyone, regardless of their position or title, is both empowering and inspiring. Your article encourages readers to recognize their own potential for influence and to cultivate the qualities that enable them to wield power in a positive and constructive manner.