Surprise, Surprise (Sweet Bird of Paradox) (John Lennon)

Dan Rockwell makes some worthwhile points about the paradox of power in a recent blog (whole thing is here)

Paradoxically, I feel more powerful in the classroom that I ever did as a Principal, or even a Head of English in various schools.

The paradox is that the higher you ascend the leadership ladder, the less power you actually have.

Why is that? Dan provides some following thoughts:

• Healthy power is using skills and abilities in service to others.  
• You don’t need authority to have power.  
• The more power you have, the more valuable you are when you serve with humility.

So, if you are truly being a leader, the more you actually concede power to others.

This is something micro managers and control freaks don't get.

As Dan says:

• The paradox of power is it grows when it’s shared and shrinks when it’s hoarded.

Or as I say: if you employ good people, get out of their way and let them do their job.