Are There Any Limits to Power and Influence?

Mr. Dilenschneider never really covers this point. To the neophyte, today’s power-players running today’s businesses seem to have an unending supply of nerve and skill. Yet, they also seem to have an uncanny way of deleting your power in favor of enhancing their’s, making for a Zero Sum game they are winning.

The author mentions none of these limits. It’s not their power and yours, it’s creating and nurturing YOURS - - that of others will be left in the dust, undimished. Yours will just be MORE POWERFUL and INFLUENTIAL. More likely, today’s power holder may quickly become tomorrow’s lackluster leader when subjected to the "Rules that have Changed,” the disruptive technologies assaulting one’s business at regular intervals.

It’s not that the expansion of YOUR influence reduces that of others. You influence leapfrogs other's and, for lack of a better word, alters the paradigm of accepted behavior.

This offers a message of hope for those individuals suffering under the bonds of a crushing no-nothing boss who stifles independent thinking and action. Unfortunately, these new options of exercising one’s power and influence might come to fruition ELSEWHERE, in a different company or setting, the author clearly details. The implication: Be prepared; this time may come sooner than expected followed by a kick in the butt out the door.

Perhaps the concepts discussed here work best in smaller, entrepreneurial environments, rather that in major, bureaucratic organizations such as the phone company or a traditional Fortune 500 company. He claims not, that the principles here apply across the board. Perhaps, though, that fine line between showing off one’s new skills, without overshadowing one’s boss, blur for most people, especially depending upon the boss’ moods and business conditions.

Missteps here can earn immediate discharge, demotion, even industry humiliation if not careful. Count on it. That’s where strength of person convictions (which he discusses that length) come into play. Convictions to stay employed, while learning the new rules, and their carfeful exercise, within bounds of common sense, fosters power and influence. Incrementally, not by brute force.