Monday, December 15, 2008

Are You Interested in Power or Influence?

'Power lasts ten years. Influence not more than a hundred.'
--old Korean proverb

6 Comments:

At 11:12 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm interested in power that influences positive change.

Neve Black

 
At 11:13 AM, Blogger John Ettorre said...

Good answer. Anyone else care to add their two cents?

 
At 1:49 PM, Blogger Michelle O'Neil said...

I'm interested in eating more Christmas cookies. Wait...what are we talking about?

 
At 2:43 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Aren't you still talking about Roger Clemens? He has a lot of power but not much influence.

Seriously, as the Korean proverb implies, power is important to the one who wields it, but influence is much more important for everyone else and much more lasting.

There are many organizations in which the leader -- the one who influences the organization -- may be someone other than the head of the organization.

You're another example. As a freelance writer you may not have outright power. But in your ability to research thoroughly and present information effectively, you exert considerable influence.

 
At 3:05 PM, Blogger Art Durkee said...

I've always wanted to be a Grey Eminence. It's far more influential a position than the figurehead of power, anyway. And besides, those lovely shadows, instead of that pesky spotlight. Who could resist?

Resistance is futile.

 
At 3:06 PM, Blogger John Ettorre said...

Michelle, we can talk about anything you like. Mike, you make a good case. Perhaps we should change the phrase from the power of the pen to the influence of the pen. And Art, I like the gray eminence designation too, just minus the gray, though.

 

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