Power Quotes

“The sun’s rays, focused, are much more powerful than they are without focus. The same is true for people seeking power.”
― Jeffrey Pfeffer, Power: Why Some People Have it and Others Don't

“Being memorable equals getting picked.”
― Jeffrey Pfeffer, Power: Why Some People Have it and Others Don't

“The two fundamental dimensions that distinguish people who rise to great heights and accomplish amazing things are will, the drive to take on big challenges, and skill, the capabilities required to turn ambition into accomplishment. The three personal qualities embodied in will are ambition, energy, and focus. The four skills useful in acquiring power are self-knowledge and a reflective mind-set, confidence and the ability to project self-assurance, the ability to read others and empathize with their point of view, and a capacity to tolerate conflict.”
― Jeffrey Pfeffer, Power: Why Some People Have it and Others Don't

“Believing that the world is fair, people fail to note the various land mines in the environment that can undermine their careers.”
― Jeffrey Pfeffer, Power: Why Some People Have it and Others Don't

“Condoleezza Rice is right: people will join your side if you have power and are willing to use it, not just because they are afraid of your hurting them but also because they want to be close to your power and success.”
― Jeffrey Pfeffer, Power: Why Some People Have it and Others Don't

“Being recognized as exceptionally smart can cause overconfidence and even arrogance, which, as we will see in more detail later, can lead to the loss of power.”
― Jeffrey Pfeffer, Power: Why Some People Have it and Others Don't

“People who are exceptionally smart think they can do everything on their own and do it better than everyone else. Consequently, they may fail to bring others along with them, leaving their potential allies in the dark about their plans and thinking.”
― Jeffrey Pfeffer, Power: Why Some People Have it and Others Don't

“What sometimes gets in the way of putting ourselves in the shoes of others is too much focus on the end goal and our own objectives and not enough concern for recruiting others to our side—or at least curtailing the likelihood of their opposition.”
― Jeffrey Pfeffer, Power: Why Some People Have it and Others Don't

“Moving to something else, whatever else the virtues of that new career path, will rob you of the resources and competence you have built doing what you do.”
― Jeffrey Pfeffer, Power: Why Some People Have it and Others Don't

“Schoorman asked”
― Jeffrey Pfeffer, Power: Why Some People Have it and Others Don't