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Power: Why Some People Have it and Others Don't
In this crowning achievement, one of the greatest minds in management theory reveals how to succeed and wield power in the real world.
Over decades of consulting with corporations and teaching MBA students the nuances of organizational power, Jeffrey Pfeffer has watched numerous people suffer career reversals even as others prevail despite the odds.
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Published
(first published August 30th 2010)
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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...more
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...more
Think of Melanie Griffith's rise to power in the movie "Working Girls", and you will have some idea of what this book is about. "Power:Why Some People Have It and Others Don't" tackles the obstacles you may face in rising to the top of your organization and the tools and techniques you can employ to reach the level of power you want. Pfeffer should know, he has researched power for over 30 years and teaches courses at Stanford on the subject.
Topics include Diagnosing Departmental Power-["Being...more
Topics include Diagnosing Departmental Power-["Being...more
I had hopes that this book would be more about socioeconomic and political struggles from an anthropological bent, but instead, it could be titled "how to get ahead in the workplace". He touches briefly on governmental-type politics, but for the most part, this book deals with inter-office politics.
Much of this book is intuitive. People with power are healthier and live longer than the powerless. People suffer from withdrawal when they lose their power. People with more power earn more money. Yo...more
Much of this book is intuitive. People with power are healthier and live longer than the powerless. People suffer from withdrawal when they lose their power. People with more power earn more money. Yo...more
Apr 24, 2012
Soundview Executive Book Summaries
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2011-best-business-books
Power: Why Some People Have It and Others Don't by Jeffrey Pfeffer was chosen by Soundview Executive Book Summaries as one of the Top 30 Business Books of 2011.
THE SOUNDVIEW REVIEW:
If you’ve ever wondered what causes some executives to rise to the top while others flounder in middle management, this book offers some unique insight. In Power: Why Some People Have It and Others Don’t, Jeffrey Pfeffer, the Thomas D. Dee II Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Graduate School of Business, Sta...more
THE SOUNDVIEW REVIEW:
If you’ve ever wondered what causes some executives to rise to the top while others flounder in middle management, this book offers some unique insight. In Power: Why Some People Have It and Others Don’t, Jeffrey Pfeffer, the Thomas D. Dee II Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Graduate School of Business, Sta...more
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." Don't expect it to be. I have a phrase that guides me in my working and management decisions: "you can either be right or be effective." Som...more
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." Don't expect it to be. I have a phrase that guides me in my working and management decisions: "you can either be right or be effective." Som...more
Power Why Some People Have It And Others Don't by Jeffrey Pfeffer
Jeffrey Pfeffer is a professor of Organizational Behavior at the Graduate School of Business of Stanford University. 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 perform...more
Jeffrey Pfeffer is a professor of Organizational Behavior at the Graduate School of Business of Stanford University. 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 perform...more
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: build your network, behave confidently, etc. 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...more
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...more
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...more
Power: Why Some People Have It and Others Don’t by Jeffrey Pfeffer
"Power" is an interesting study of organizational behavior that leads to obtaining power and thus success. 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 288-page boo...more
"Power" is an interesting study of organizational behavior that leads to obtaining power and thus success. 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 288-page boo...more
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...more
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...more
Want to get a good job? Want to move up the corporate ladder? What are the tools you are going to need?
A good education? Hard work and smarts? Being well liked?
Not so much, at least according to Jeffrey Pfeffer, a Stanford Business School professor and author of numerous books on this and related subjects. No, despite popular notions and the usual urban myths, Pfeffer contends that the path to power is significantly different than the popular notions we were raised to believe.
In “Power: Why Some...more
A good education? Hard work and smarts? Being well liked?
Not so much, at least according to Jeffrey Pfeffer, a Stanford Business School professor and author of numerous books on this and related subjects. No, despite popular notions and the usual urban myths, Pfeffer contends that the path to power is significantly different than the popular notions we were raised to believe.
In “Power: Why Some...more
Blah, terrible... well I guess closer to say disappointing. It starts out saying that all the other business success books and biographies are crap and filled with only the good stuff but then this book starts going off about the same stuff. Compliment people excessively, don't be afraid to ask for what you want, find ways to stand out--the problem is that the tone of the whole thing puts the reader into a begging position, where you let your boss know that you'd really appreciate it if so and s...more
An alternative, not frequently talked about, perspective of the power struggle in businesses, particularly in corporate environments. This book stays to the point and simply discusses observed patterns for how people move to the top, irrespective of whether their actions are moral or not.
It can be unpleasant for the reader as people want to believe the world is just (which the book mentions). But irrespective to how you feel about it, the lessons taught are invaluable and provides you a way to...more
It can be unpleasant for the reader as people want to believe the world is just (which the book mentions). But irrespective to how you feel about it, the lessons taught are invaluable and provides you a way to...more
كتاب واقعي عن القيادة والسيطرة بعيد عن المثالية اللتي تصبغ الكثير من كتب الأدارة. بقدر ما أثار اهتمامي الكتاب بقدرة الكاتب على ربط تصرفات الراغبين في الحصول على القوة والسيطرة في الشركات الكبرى، بقدر يقيني بعدم رجوعي الى صفحاته مستقبلا لتحفظي على الكثر من الأساليب والحيل المذكورة ضمنا.
Why has it taken me over a year to finish an otherwise superb and engrossing book? A ridiculous writing style.
Example: "The committee was charged with organizing the events for a weekend when the school she attended hosted admitted applicants who were deciding where to pursue their degrees".
The author is unable to construct a readable, focused sentence. Furthermore, he jumps from to anecdote to anecdote to prove a single point, which is quite stimulating to begin with but grows old very quickly...more
Example: "The committee was charged with organizing the events for a weekend when the school she attended hosted admitted applicants who were deciding where to pursue their degrees".
The author is unable to construct a readable, focused sentence. Furthermore, he jumps from to anecdote to anecdote to prove a single point, which is quite stimulating to begin with but grows old very quickly...more
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.
A few highlights:
* When Keith Ferrazzi (author, CMO, CEO) was offered a position at
Deloitte, he insisted in seeing the "head guys." He met the NYC chief,
Loconto, over dinner and Keith said he would accept if the two would
have dinner once a year at the same restaurant." This was a gutsy
move, but gave him influence at...more
title, consider how the world is political, and it is in you interest
to know the power games other people will play.
A few highlights:
* When Keith Ferrazzi (author, CMO, CEO) was offered a position at
Deloitte, he insisted in seeing the "head guys." He met the NYC chief,
Loconto, over dinner and Keith said he would accept if the two would
have dinner once a year at the same restaurant." This was a gutsy
move, but gave him influence at...more
Dec 12, 2010
Scott Huizenga
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
first-reads,
business
Jeffery Pfeffer offers a well-crafted, how-to manual of gaining power in an organization through his aptly titled book. There are several themes throughout the book that sometimes do not seem entirely righteous including: the world is not just or fair (get over it); be your own champion and promoter; do not worry about being well-liked; and do not pass over or delegate power. The lessons may not always be pleasant, and they may seem Machiavellian to the delicate (he finally references The Prince...more
Jan 02, 2011
Annie
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
first-reads,
non-fiction
I have to admit, I expected something different from this book. Because I'm a storyteller intrigued by the idea of power, I inferred from the title that it would be a fascinating examination of what makes someone the kind of person who is powerful and influential.
But this book is far too practical for all that. It's an examination of workplace politics, offering concrete examples and suggestions for how to become more powerful at work. Jeffrey Pfeffer disregards all my romantic notions of power...more
But this book is far too practical for all that. It's an examination of workplace politics, offering concrete examples and suggestions for how to become more powerful at work. Jeffrey Pfeffer disregards all my romantic notions of power...more
Mar 31, 2011
Chris
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
introverts, extroverts, superheros, executives, mid-level managers, VPs, Business Students
Ever needed power or wondered how people with power got power in the first place? Author, Jeffrey Pfeffer, who has written about power and teaches an elective course at Stanford on Power, has laid out all that you need to understand and achieve to get power.
This book explains the frame work of what people understand about power, the types of people who naturally have power and know how to use it but also how people with power can give it away without knowing or intentionally. Many people have o...more
This book explains the frame work of what people understand about power, the types of people who naturally have power and know how to use it but also how people with power can give it away without knowing or intentionally. Many people have o...more
This book was very good. It brought powerful real-life examples and established academic research together to show the sources of power and how to obtain it. It was a break from so many contemporary management books that operate under what Pfeffer calls the "just world hypothesis."
I recommend this book for anyone who looking to succeed in business and interested in a different perspective. For instance, job performance is not strongly correlated with organizational power or success.
I recommend this book for anyone who looking to succeed in business and interested in a different perspective. For instance, job performance is not strongly correlated with organizational power or success.
Jan 14, 2011
Ted Magnuson
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
current-events,
philosophy-perspective-on-life
People and Organizations, we all belong to them. Jeffrey Pfeffer is a professor in the business school at Stanford. Leo Durocher is credited with coining the phrase "Nice Guys finish Last," and this is the book to read to find out why...and if you decide to push the power button, here's the inside schoop on how to live with yourself. Read it if you dare, it's the roadmap to the top, if ye dare to tread that path; take heed.
Valuable observations, but the same CEO examples are overused to illustrate too many different points. It would have been helpful to me to provide more comprehensive data to substantiate the claims (rather than provide one example of how a manager became powerful than another). Also, I would have appreciated more of a "toolkit" structure to the book, as the points in the latter half of the book were overlapping a lot with the beginning.
Still, I'm disappointed I missed the chance to take a class...more
Still, I'm disappointed I missed the chance to take a class...more
I think this book would be very helpful for people who are not naturally assertive, or who are timid when it comes to putting themselves out there. There were some parts that I absolutely disagreed with, but for the most part I thought this book could be a pretty useful tool for people who want to increase their position in work and in life.
Good, Quick Read.
I liked the assertion that patiently waiting for your life to reward you for patiently waiting would lead to nothing but more patient waiting (redundancy intended). In order to succeed, it is necessary for you to be asserting that you are the one that is deserving of the raise, promotion, or just more responsibility in general. This point has been made in other books, but not as eloquently.
There is also a great section that examines the power of networking, how to do it, and ho...more
I liked the assertion that patiently waiting for your life to reward you for patiently waiting would lead to nothing but more patient waiting (redundancy intended). In order to succeed, it is necessary for you to be asserting that you are the one that is deserving of the raise, promotion, or just more responsibility in general. This point has been made in other books, but not as eloquently.
There is also a great section that examines the power of networking, how to do it, and ho...more
How to succeed in business by playing politics. The author makes the case for always looking our for yourself to gain power and keep it in organizations. He also argues that hierarchical organizations are inevitable. Overall a pretty depressing book.
This is a traditional business book along the lines of "who moved the cheese", "Zap", "the one minute manager", for older readers of this genre, “up the organization" and "the peter principal".
I view these books like I do most seminars; they don't have all the answers but if I get anything useful from them my time isn't wasted.
In that vein, there's a lot of good insight here. I liked the slant the Pfeffer takes. Business is power and how you wield that power. There's a good bit of cynicism here...more
I view these books like I do most seminars; they don't have all the answers but if I get anything useful from them my time isn't wasted.
In that vein, there's a lot of good insight here. I liked the slant the Pfeffer takes. Business is power and how you wield that power. There's a good bit of cynicism here...more
I think if I had this book on Power outside of the classroom that I would've been pretty cynical about it. But the professor and the class discussion required me to analyze everything in this book one page at a time and discuss how it applies to my career. Or rather, how it *should* apply to my career, since I wasn't actively engaging in the behavior to acquire and maintain power. I highly recommend this book to anyone in the business world and recommend re-reading portions of it every now and t...more
Eye-opening. As a determined non-participator in office politics, I learned quite a bit from reading this book. Like it or not, the degree to which one engages in office politics has a direct correlation to one's ultimate level of success/satisfaction.
This book is highly recommended for everyone from the recent college graduate to the seasoned executive. Compelling information whatever your field.
This book is highly recommended for everyone from the recent college graduate to the seasoned executive. Compelling information whatever your field.
A brilliant book. A wonderful read. Years ago I read Pfeffer's Managing With Power: Politics and Influence in Organizations. This was a great second book to read by the same author
My management class assigned this book for me to read. Overall, I enjoyed it as much as I possibly could with only some interest. It's an easy read and flows effectively. I noticed two spelling errors which really annoyed me. I recommend it, however, to anyone interested in moving up the corporate ladder.
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Jeffrey Pfeffer is the Thomas D. Dee II Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University where he has taught since 1979.
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