The stakes for leaders today have never been higher. Power that’s applied indiscriminately can erode trust, lower morale, and damage a company’s culture. But leaders who master the art of flexible power use can navigate complex challenges with resilience and success.

In this episode, we examine leadership power as a precision instrument. We explore how business leaders can move beyond traditional, blunt approaches to power and adopt a more adaptable, context-sensitive strategy. 

Drawing from historical examples, we explore how the smartest leaders know when to exercise authority and when to lean on soft power for better outcomes. You’ll learn how to apply power strategically, balance hard and soft approaches, and lead with precision.

In this episode:

- Power as a precision instrument

- Historical examples: Ashoka, Paul Polman, & Shackleton

- Playbook for applying power with precision

- Key takeaway and series wrap-up

Resources Used in the Episode:

French, J. R. P., & Raven, B. (1959). The bases of social power.

Keltner, D., Gruenfeld, D. H., & Anderson, C. (2003). Power, approach, and inhibition. Psychological Review, 110(2), 265–284.

Peyton, T., Zigarmi, D., & Fowler, S. (2020). The relationship of leader power use and follower motivational outlook and work intention. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1070.

Wisse, B., Faber, N. R., van Vugt, M., & Evers, A. (2019). Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it: The combined effects of leader fear of losing power and competitive climate on leader self-serving behavior. The Leadership Quarterly, 30(5), 101313.

Yukl, G. (2013). Leadership in Organizations (8th ed.). Pearson.

Get Your Copy of The Mammoth in the Room: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/

Get in Touch: 

Website: https://www.mammothleadershipscien ces.com    

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny 

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences