by Ken Vincent, Featured Contributor
Since the beginning of recorded history there have been those that collected power and abused it for their own reasons or personal gain.
However, it seems in recent years that has reached almost epidemic proportions. It has permeated all walks of life. Elected and appointed government leaders, religion, business 
and industry, sports, heads of state, military, social change leaders, and even charities. No profession seems exempt.
Clearly those that have power tend to get more power. Is that something those people actively seek, or does more power just naturally flow to power like a magnetic process or water flowing down hill?
Everyone in a management or ownership position has power. Most are not household names or on the world stage of course. But they have power to grow or ruin a business. Power to crush competition. Power over employee’s lives and employment.
I’ve had power. I’ve even been offered power that I declined to take.
I’ve learned a couple of things about power. It is very heady. It can be addictive. It can become wedded to one’s ego and self esteem. It can therefore become dominant and controlling of the power holder.
We’ve all known people with power. Some used it for good, some not. So how do you master this thing called power and avoid it mastering you? Does the first requirement not necessitate the power to master yourself? What do you think? Do you actively seek more power, or does it just come to you like osmosis?
I worked at an organization for 9 years and had 9 jobs because I was able to apply for transfers and move into another area. I loved learning new things so I could turn around and teach them to others. That’s how I used my power – getting so I could give back. I never considered that a form of power until someone pointed it out to me many years after I left that organization.
One of my first co-workers there had a different view. She took in information, learned something before others and harbored it as power. She caught up with me one day just before I left that organization and asked me how I was able to move around so much and get better jobs. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that the key, at least for me, was to always be learning and always be sharing with everyone so they could be more knowledgeable too.
I’m not sure that answered your question, but that’s my take on power.