Power and control ... there is a difference

Power is earned on a daily basis. Control is taken. Power is freely given by those who believe in you. Control is needed only when they do not. True leaders do not need to control. They receive their power from the people they inspire with their vision and passion.

What is it that inspires people to follow a leader? It is not control. When I was fighting in the Vietnam war, I saw two kinds of leaders, and that experience taught me a lot about the difference between power and control.

The first kind said, "You guys go take that hill," sat down, lit a cigarette and waited for us to return. Not all of us did. The second said, "Follow me, men. We are going to take that hill together." The first type was often found with an M-16 bullet in the back. The enemy did not use M-16s. The second was someone we would sacrifice our lives for. That taught me a lot about leadership.

Real power isn't inherited, doesn't come with title or position, cannot be demanded or expected. Real power comes from deep within a person and expands outwards to include people within one's sphere of influence.

Get people to do what you want them to do because they truly want to do it - and you have real power. Sure, you can control people for a while against their will, but it is short-lived and it means you have to become the Corporate Cop, making sure they are doing what you want them to do. Turn your back ... and they will do what they want.

By Dr. Bill Gould

Human resources director

Wall Street Institute, Thailand

www.wallstreet.in.th