1, #137 - The power paradox
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This week, I’ve been thinking about the isolating nature of power. We want to be elevated—but that same elevation, by definition, separates us from others. It’s lonely at the top, right?
This led me to social psychologist Dacher Keltner and his idea of the “Power Paradox”:
“The very behaviors that gain us power are the ones that deteriorate once we have power.”
Empathy. Self-awareness. Perspective. These are all attributes that make people want to give us power—yet the experience of holding power seems to erode them.
I don’t see an easy fix here—that’s why it’s a paradox, I suppose. But this is another thing challenging me to reconsider my ambitions.
Power isn’t conducive to personal happiness. There are reasons to seek it and use it—but improving your individual quality of life isn’t one of them.
Insight inspired by: Dacher Keltner.