Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Dont

leondumoulin.nl: Power: Why Some People Have It - and Others Don't (Audible Audio Edition): Jeffrey Pfeffer, David Drummond, LLC Dreamscape Media: Books .
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What other items do customers buy after viewing this item? Politics and Influence in Organizations. Think a Little, Change a Lot. Getting More of What You Want: Product details Audible Audiobook Listening Length: May 4, Whispersync for Voice: Share your thoughts with other customers.

Write a customer review. There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later. Kindle Edition Verified Purchase. Even if you don't agree with people who are characterized as political or power-hungry by nature, you have to work with them. This book wasn't written to encourage unethical behavior but instead explains why people are programmed to behave as they do and how to work in a world that isn't always fair. This book is empowering. If you read this and think, "This is depressing.

I'll never play these games. If you don't understand the games, you will always, always, always lose. Understanding the rules helps you stay above the fray rather than being walked over and rudely surprised later. You won't find any other resource that will candidly map out organizational politics and power like this -- especially one this compelling and joyful to read. I agree with everyone who says this is must-read material and since finishing it two weeks ago, I've already loaned my dogeared copy to two others. I would've given 5 stars but examples can be a little over-simplified.

For instance, chapter 3, "Choosing where to start," Pfeffer talks about not necessarily starting your career in the most popular or well-known department because the competition would be too intense and you will be less likely to make an impact. While I agree to some degree with that notion, however ultimately, you're working at some goal because of a particular set of skills. You cannot necessarily switch or start at a growing department for the sake of growth or power. One must strive for what is relevant to one's skill sets and or goals. Then you can identify paths to power where relevant.

That is only one example of over-simplification. I found some examples within chapter 9, "Building a repuation" a little far fetched as well; such as, getting the media on your side or having powerful people tout you. I still gave 4 stars because with a little tweaking and careful consideration, many tactics within this book are useful. Don't expect to leave feeling all warm and "inspired". Rather, prepared to be motivated and expected to act. The author, basing his rules on well researched business practices, lays it out on the table for you in a no nonsense way.

His anecdotes are from real life examples that he, as a well respected business scholar, has seen firsthand or researched in detail. With that being said, others state that this book is cold and callous. I do not believe that to be the case. Pfeffer is straight and to the point, outlining the way the world is instead of the way we wish it was, he does not advocate, carrying on day after day as a ruthless jerk.

In fact, he cautions against this. Anyone with any sense and decency would not behave in such a manner. If you want to read a no nonsense book with advice that you can implement today. That is a fairly apt description. Pfeffer is interested in power as it is practiced. As such and to the dismay of some of my students and some reviewers on this site , the author seeks to describe the world as it is and how many successful people in it maneuver.

Pfeffer breaks down aspects of power such as communication, self-promotion, acting, use of anger as well as other facets. These are outlined and described with examples in easy to digest chapters. This work is a mix of study the nature of power as well as "how to. And while it is true that many view at least some of the time these competitions though the lens of ethics, others do not. Even for the ethically minded, this book is very useful in order to gain an understanding of raw power and how it often is practiced. Pfeffer is a skilled writer who is direct as well as explanatory.

An advantage over Machiavelli's work is that Pfeffer speaks to the reader in today's language. Whereas The Prince takes some thought in order to translate the mores and references of the Renaissance for understanding, "Power Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Want to Read saving…. Want to Read Currently Reading Read. Refresh and try again. Open Preview See a Problem? Thanks for telling us about the problem.

Return to Book Page. Preview — Power by Jeffrey Pfeffer. The leading thinker on the topic of power, Pfeffer here distills his wisdom into an indispensable guide. One of the greatest minds in management theory and author or co-author of thirteen books, including the seminal business school text Managing With Power , Pfeffer shows readers how to succeed and wield power in the real world. Hardcover , pages.

Published September 14th by HarperBusiness first published August 30th To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about Power , please sign up. Lists with This Book. Mar 30, Book rated it liked it Shelves: Professor of School of Business at Stanford University and author or coauthor of thirteen books, Jeffrey Pfeffer provides insight to the path of power. In general, the author succeeds in persuasively defending his main ideas but he does so with little consideration or at the expense of ethics. This power-charging page boo Power: This power-charging page book is composed of the following thirteen chapters: It Takes More Than Performance, 2.

Choosing Where to Start, 4. Standing Out and Breaking Some Rules, 5. Making Something out of Nothing: Building Efficient and Effective Social Networks, 7. Acting and Speaking with Power, 8. Perception Is Reality, 9. Overcoming Opposition and Setbacks, The Price of Power, How—and Why—People Lose Power, Good for Organizations, Good for You?

Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don't

A well researched and accessible book. The author builds his case in a progressive, curricular manner. This book is loaded with research-intensive examples of power in the corporate world. The author stays focused on what it takes to gain power in the business world. The reasons for desiring power. The first two are the belief that the world is a just place and the hand-me-down formulas on leadership that largely reflect this misguided belief.

The third obstacle is yourself. Debunking the notion that the key to a successful career resides solely in performance. The seven important personal qualities that build power. Understanding where to begin establishing a power base. How to stand out in a crowd. Identifying the resources needed to build power base. How to build an effective network. It mostly takes thought and planning. How to act powerful.

Power: Why Some People Have It And Others Don’t – Part 1

One principle is to act confident. How to build your image. Ideas on how to overcome opposition and setbacks. The five costs incurred in the pursuit of power.

Many examples of why people lose power. Dealing with power dynamics. In some circumstances, this may be good for the organization, but in virtually all circumstances, it is going to be good for you. The author does a good job of summarizing the path to power. This book's approach to power does not take into account ethics.

Not too many surprises in this book. A lot of the research in fact coincided with my intuitions.


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The author was extremely cautious with topics of race and gender. The book is really about power play, how to manipulate, influence, take advantage In summary, there is a direct correlation between the reader's view on power and how much enjoyment they will derive from this book. That is, if you are of the mindset that it's about obtaining power at any cost then this book will be of your liking, on the other hand, if you believe in ethics this book will leave you uneasy. Personally, I had mixed feelings. In general, the author succeeds in providing many interesting examples in support of his ideas and how to obtain power.

That being said, ethics considerations aside this is a fairly good book. Cialdini, "Drive" by Daniel H. Pink, "Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works" by A. Lafley, " Secrets to Winning at Office Politics: Mar 19, Joe Robles rated it it was amazing Shelves: This is one of those books that should be considered a must read! If you've ever wondered why someone gets promoted over you or why you just can't seem to advance in your career, you should read this. Power explains why people who aren't very smart or hard working seem to get so far.

The first thing you have to realize in business is that, "life isn't fair. I have a phrase that guides me in my working and management decisions: What do I mean? I mean it might be a great moral victory to claim that your workers use common sense and don't do X, but if you want to be effective you spell out explicitly DON'T DO X. I hear this a lot from less effective managers, "they should know better than to do that.

An example of this book in my life: I got a promotion over a co-worker who had been there a year or more longer than me. She claimed once that it was because I "had a penis", implying that the boss was a bit of a misogynist. As I thought about it, I realized that it wasn't because I had a penis, but because I had balls. I'm not afraid to take risks to get my job done. I'm perfectly willing to get in trouble with my bosses by going outside the parameters they set for me, if I think I can get the job done.

I have gotten in trouble before. You tell her do it this way, she does it that way. I got a promotion, she didn't. I also will do 5 things adequately rather than one thing perfectly. Many of my co-workers don't. That's not only inefficient, it's a bad way to get noticed. I'm not saying half-ass a project, or get it done with mistakes and neither does the book , but you should be able to accomplish multiple tasks at at least a minimum level.

You can always improve later down the road. Again example from my life: I would always overstock so that the next day I wouldn't have to stock. This freed me up to work in the accounting office doing data entry for a couple hours a day. Which got me noticed by the owner and led to more money and better position. Everyone in the store hated how I stocked, but again me promotion, them not. This book has examples such as these and many others on how to get power in your workplace.

The one I have started working on since reading the book is networking. Networking is incredibly important. Most executive level jobs are gotten by "who you know", not by putting in an application. We'll see how that pans out. I must say again: Feb 06, Book Calendar rated it really liked it. He is writing about building power or authority inside organizations.

His focus is more than politics. It is also about how to succeed at the top levels of companies or organizations. There is focus on personal success in this book. He describes the process as much more than working hard. In fact, he shows how performance can hinder a persons career. I like his description of how personal networks are the second most important skill after technical ability.

People move ahead becausue of who they know. Parts of this book made me uncomfortable. There are descriptions of how to stand out without angering people.. This is a different approach than what I am used to. He advises people to not look for where it is most prestigious, but look where they will succeed. The writing is quite thoughtful. It is aimed at making relationships with other people work. I also like his description of the price of power; long hours, hard work, and loss of family and personal time.

But, the author correctly points out in these days, you have to often fight just to stay in the middle. This book describes patterns and tools to mproave your chances of success in organizations. It is very much a career management book. This book is worth reading if you want to understand power inside organizations. Dec 28, Jeff Mousty rated it really liked it.

I have listened to this book over the past month and at first I didn't like the title "power" I thought it should have been "influence. He summarizes in the end don't complain about your companies politics or processes or that your boss is a jerk. YOU have the power to change that. He also spoke some on you have to stick out. He mentioned the Japanese proverb about a na I have listened to this book over the past month and at first I didn't like the title "power" I thought it should have been "influence. He mentioned the Japanese proverb about a nail that sticks out gets hammered, but countered that with if you conform and norm you won't be remembered either.

If you don't take risks don't expect to be rewarded either. I'm thinking this book might be really good to share with my mentees who are getting frustrated with process of getting into leadership or who aren't understanding the need to stay driven. The author makes a point to say if you don't do something plenty of others are willing too so in essence you've just stated contentment with your current status. Jan 01, Charlice rated it it was ok. There wasn't much surprising in this book.

Although the author cites much more research to back up his assertions than most management writers, the advice is fairly standard: His characterization of leadership research and teaching as "pablum" was off-the-mark. I find it interesting that he expects readers to trust social science research supporting his arguments on attaining power, but expects us to dismiss research that seems to contradict him. As s There wasn't much surprising in this book. As such a prominent scholar, he should know that effective leadership and effective power-grabbing are distinct constructs.

Leaders need power to be effective, but leaders whose primary interest is in self-interested power volleys will not be effective. As Pfeffer himself argues, there is a weak relationship between performance and power. I assume that is true of leaders as well. One disturbing aspect of this book is that, several times, Pfeffer cites research showing that race and gender affect power in organizations.

Since he doesn't offer any advice to people whose race or gender might disadvantage them in this sense other than telling women that having children will be detrimental to their ascent , I suppose this is a state of affairs he takes for granted. That said, this book is not without value, particularly for people who are strongly motivated to climb to the upper levels of hierarchical organizations. If that is your definition of power, this book will provide a great deal of useful advice on how to get there.

For the rest of us, this book could be a good reality check. Like it or not, the politics are there. Many of these tactics are useful for surviving and thriving in that reality. Oct 22, Thomas Edmund rated it it was amazing. Pfeffer Glad this is a written review I have no idea how to say that name is an academic who specialises on organisational behaviour, and this book is essentially his advice on how to obtain, maintain, and understand power. While his book unsurprisingly mostly focuses on corporate CEOs, Pfeffer's principals apply equally well to non-profits, politicians and any other situation that involves other people and positions of power.

Probably the most helpful, but most unpalatable advice is to suck-up Pfeffer Glad this is a written review I have no idea how to say that name is an academic who specialises on organisational behaviour, and this book is essentially his advice on how to obtain, maintain, and understand power. Probably the most helpful, but most unpalatable advice is to suck-up to the people who can put you into power. Anyone with ambition will benefit from this book, it is enjoyable to read, while still having valuable information. Something I'm interested in finding out is whether anyone disagreed with the content of the book and what their experiences of power are?

Apr 20, Maura rated it really liked it. I thought I would dislike this book. I had thought most of the focus would be on wealthy white guys and their power plays. I was pleasantly surprised by the examples concerning women, minorities, and non-Western cultures. I also appreciate the bit on women and anger, and how behaviors effective for men are not always as effective for women. I never really thought about the "power" of the various departments at my company before reading this book.

In retrospect, it's obvious that starting out in a I thought I would dislike this book. In retrospect, it's obvious that starting out in a company's "most important" department full of talented, ambitious individuals could result in a longer, harder climb than starting out in an "up and coming" department. The study finding that there is no point at which too much flattery is ineffective was also worth noting. Overall, I took few notes on the material in this book. I was glad to have been reminded of how not to give away power. However, I wasn't convinced that getting caught up in how to acquire power is likely to lead to personal happiness.

Oct 15, Jeffrey rated it really liked it Shelves: I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway It's hard to come around and endorse Jeffrey Pfeffer 's latest book. Not because it's inaccurate or deceptive or dishonest, but precisely because it's none of those things. Pfeffer lays out a survey level argument of why power politics exists, what it takes to obtain and maintain it, and why the system is not going away.

When combined with current events, for example the recent film Inside Job , it provides a solid explanation why so many people wh I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway It's hard to come around and endorse Jeffrey Pfeffer 's latest book. When combined with current events, for example the recent film Inside Job , it provides a solid explanation why so many people who get so many things wrong remain in positions of authority.

Unfortunately, Pfeffer's solution to this is that everyone needs to play the game. That there is no method for a society to escape from the power dynamic is the book's most depressing conclusion. What would be nice to see is a book that helps organizations protect themselves from power players, so that one doesn't continue to listen to the same bad advice over and over again.

Dec 04, Stephanie rated it it was ok. It seemed to be all about how to get power in order to move up an org chart. Apr 29, Jenny rated it liked it Shelves: Uses anecdotal evidence and like many advisory texts, can be slightly contradictory, but basic principles ring true.

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Mar 06, Steve Granger rated it really liked it. Management, red in tooth and claw. Pfeffer's no-nonsense approach melts through the bullshit like a molten rod through margarine. However, it's easy to walk away somewhat reluctant and depressed, but worry not idealists. Just accept that power and politics is a part of social life and is incubated within organizations.

Throw away the idea that obtaining power and looking out for one's own interests is an inherent evil to be exorcised. If good people want to influence organizations to do good thi Management, red in tooth and claw. If good people want to influence organizations to do good things, they must get themselves into a position to do so. Just don't forget to sincerely try to be a good person when you can and remember that power lowers inhibitions and reduces sensitivity to others. Potentially more time could have been spent discussing how people can develop their constitutions to never forget these things, but otherwise this was a very interesting and insightful book.

Should reread this every year or two. It is an easy read with interesting examples. If you dislike the title, consider how the world is political, and it is in you interest to know the power games other people will play. All because he asked. What could you have asked for? He had the founder of Hotmail, the Indian president Kalam, and over a dozen leaders contribute to the book. His pitch was as a fellow entrepreneur and IIT graduate, he appreciated their courage, and said no one would take a book by him seriously, he wanted their help to write just a few pages or hundred words with key advice.

He packaged the request brilliantly, and almost all accepted. Asking for help is inherently flattering. He leveraged his experience to write something with a positive social implication. Then gained influence with very big hitters, and 'jumped up a weight class.