And sex. What do you think they want, Turncoat?
Why do you assume that collaboration and wielding power are mutually exclusive? The best leaders gain power and command authority by earning the respect of their peers. Moreover, there are certain situations where coercion is not only warranted, but necessary for the greater good of a community or organization. Power can assume many forms. An effective leader discerns and makes use of the best tools in his or her arsenal to meet the requirements of a scenario.
Um... yeah I'm a parent. I know how to demonstrate compassionate authority.
(*Edit: I had originally borrowed your term "wield" but I didn't like the connotations. One wields a weapon. My authority is not a weapon. I demonstrate it, wear it or use it. I never threaten my kids with it.)
What you're describing is not coercion. That's veto power and it comes from legitimate authority. I've already said that I'm fine with legitimate authority and uninterested in the so-called "American Dream" which includes running a corporation or pretending to be some asshole from the tv show "Dallas"
Unaccustomed to wielding authority? Yeah I guess i am. I wear it, like I said. I don't wave it around like some weapon in a video game. I also find excessive greed distasteful. Boardrooms are full of that.
Your understanding of power dynamics reveals to me that you are not accustomed to wielding authority. Imagine for a moment you're a CEO with controlling shares. The Board of Directors hatches a strategy that you know is doomed to fail, by virtue of your keen instincts and ample experience . You veto the plan to the ultimate benefit of everyone in the organization, at the risk of appearing uncooperative, stubborn and unpopular. This is a form of beneficial coercion. Understand?
Respect goes 2 ways. In a situation where one is coercive and dominating the other, respect is about fear. I don't respect people who use sanctions to try to get me to do their bidding. Depending on the situation (work, school, etc.) I may go along with it for a time, to get the paycheck or the grade, etc. But I won't respect the person who demonstrates such a lack of respect for me.
My understanding of respect includes genuinely liking enough of a leader's personality and appreciating his/her skill set and competence enough to follow him/her. I accept legitimate authority. I resent coercion.
Collaboration without compassion can work, but often comes off as sleazy shmoozing depending on the goal that the team is supposed to be working toward.
knowledge is power
exploration is power
ur just content having a moderate amount of power letting those who want to be top dogs fight for it between them selves
which is a sensible strategy because the increased power in top positions will increase ur troubles as well
in many ways those who r in the middle of the ladder have the best position of all
enough power to buy food for themselves & their families even some nice things cars & televisions pretty clothes for parties
but nobody jealous enough to want to go out of their way to take it all away from u
by Thrill KillNot all sociopaths are the same. Different sociopaths have different desires.
Power is a definite desire for me. Money and glory not so much.
Glory is more of narcissism thing in my opinion.
This. I also just want to elaborate that you (OP, not Thrill) should consider that people derive the sensation of "power" from different things. What makes one sociopath feel powerful may do nothing for another. I'm not materialistic at all, and I view the concept of glory as childish. But power? Conceptually I know it's all relative but I sure do enjoy the feeling or being in a position of dominion over others etc.
The exercise of veto power involves forcing one's will in a given scenario. Do you think it coming from a "legitimate" source of authority changes the nature of the act itself? According to the dictionary, "To wield" in this context simply means "to have and be able to use". Is your exercise of authority limited to parenting?