Running a business is a privilege as well as a responsibility. However, with power comes an insidious trap: that of allowing oneself to be devoured by status. We just need to observe the trajectories of brilliant leaders who, despite their talent, have lost contact with their teams or their initial vision. Power, when left unchecked, can become an invisible weight, influencing the decisions, culture and even the mental health of the leader. We must therefore learn to navigate this complex relationship with power. Knowing how to exercise authority without being crushed by it is a strategic skill as much as a question of personal balance.
Power and its effects
Power is a driver of performance: it makes it possible to mobilize resources, influence teams and drive strategic changes. But it also modifies the brain and behavior. Studies in organizational neuroscience show that power can:
- Increase self-confidence, sometimes to the point of overestimating your abilities or intuitions.
- Reduce empathy and perception of weak signals coming from the team.
- Create a cognitive bias, where one interprets information in a way that confirms one’s own beliefs.
These effects are often unconscious. The danger is twofold: a manager can make impulsive or disconnected decisions from reality and the company can lose cohesion and confidence.
Status: a subtle trap
Power and status are related, but distinct. Status is the social and symbolic recognition attached to position. It manifests itself through respect for others, privileges and media visibility.
If power is a tool, status can become a narcissistic trap. Some managers, seduced by prestige, focus on appearances and advantages, losing sight of the real mission of their role: growing the company and the talents that make it up. The challenge therefore consists of exercising power with conscience, without being captivated by the flattering reflection that status reflects.
Why the relationship with power deserves attention
A healthy relationship with power directly impacts the performance and sustainability of the company. Leadership research shows that:
- Leaders aware of their influence make more balanced and inclusive decisions.
- Teams led by leaders who are able to separate power and ego display more engagement and creativity.
- Organizations where status does not crowd out collaboration develop a resilient and adaptable culture.
Ignoring these dynamics, on the other hand, can lead to disengagement, turnover, internal conflicts and even reputational crises.
How to exercise power without letting yourself be devoured
Here are some concrete principles for managing power constructively:
1/ Cultivate self-awareness
The first step is to observe the effect of power on yourself. What decisions are influenced by the desire for control or recognition? What biases emerge under pressure? Practicing introspection, keeping a leadership journal, or using feedback from mentors can help identify unconscious tendencies and adjust behavior.
2/ Redefine the role of the manager
Leading is not imposing one’s will, but facilitating collective performance. Power becomes a service: that of unlocking resources, creating a secure environment and inspiring confidence. This approach transforms the relationship with status: it ceases to be a goal and becomes a means to reinforce the mission and values of the company.
3/ Maintain contact with reality
Nothing protects better against the excesses of power than proximity to teams and customers. Effective leaders spend time in the field, actively listening and observing operations. This immersion allows decisions to be corrected before they become costly.
4/ Surround yourself with balanced teams
Good leaders don’t just surround their power with docile subordinates. They choose employees capable of challenging, questioning and complementing their decisions. Power, thus mirrored by divergent opinions, becomes a lever of discernment rather than an instrument of domination.
5/ Practice strategic humility
Humility is not a sign of weakness; it is a strategic choice. Recognizing your limitations and mistakes strengthens credibility and promotes loyalty. Humble leaders transform power into a unifying force.
6/ Create decompression rituals
Solitude, meditation, walking or mentoring can help you gain perspective and put your status into perspective. These rituals help keep the mind clear and separate strategic decisions from personal ego.
Signs of an unbalanced relationship with power
Knowing how to identify deviations is necessary. Common signs of mismanaged power include:
- Fear of delegating or showing doubts.
- Obsession with appearances or social recognition.
- Difficulty accepting feedback or criticism.
- A tendency to overanalyze to justify decisions rather than to learn.
Spotting these signals early allows you to adjust your leadership before the company or teams suffer.
Power as a lever for transformation
Consciously exercising power allows you to:
- Innovate more quickly: by listening and giving autonomy to teams, the manager stimulates creativity and responsiveness.
- Strengthen company culture: Power used to align and inspire creates an environment of trust.
- Make more balanced decisions: ego aside, strategic choices are based on vision and data, not on fear or the desire for recognition.
- Attract and retain talent: employees respect a leader who exercises his power with clarity, humility and consistency.
