The Power Paradox

How We Gain and Lose Influence

By: Dacher Keltner

Narrated by: Kaleo Griffith

A revolutionary and timely reconsideration of everything we know about power. Celebrated UC Berkeley psychologist Dr. Dacher Keltner argues that compassion and selflessness enable us to have the most influence over others and the result is power as a force for good in the world.

It is taken for granted that power corrupts. This is reinforced culturally by everything from Machiavelli to contemporary politics. But how do we get power? And how does it change our behavior? So often, in spite of our best intentions, we lose our hard-won power. Enduring power comes from empathy and giving. Above all, power is given to us by other people. This is what all-too-often we forget, and what Dr. Keltner sets straight. This is the crux of the power paradox: by fundamentally misunderstanding the behaviors that helped us to gain power in the first place we set ourselves up to fall from power. We can't retain power because we've never understood it correctly, until now. Power isn't the capacity to act in cruel and uncaring ways; it is the ability to do good for others, expressed in daily life, and itself a good a thing.

Dr. Keltner lays out exactly--in twenty original "Power Principles"-- how to retain power, why power can be a demonstrably good thing, and the terrible consequences of letting those around us languish in powerlessness.

*Includes Bonus PDF with images, graphs, and exercises.

Very good book

He is utopian but has good ideas. He discounts Machiavelli too quickly, and ignores the usage of propaganda in power attainment.
Narration is good

I'm not about saying "Everyone should read this."

But. Everyone should read this. Especially those in positions of power and influence. This book, for those looking to intentionally wield power in a sustained way, is extremely thought provoking. Possibly even paradigm shifting.

Enlightening

Powerful insights I had never considered. I would recommend for anyone. Good research and application.

Well done.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to The Power Paradox. It is a thought provoking challenge to our commonly held beliefs about our relationships and the importance of an awareness of and dangers of power.

energy in physics what power is to relationships.

Lack of Power can lead to sickness ,of all kinds, and a shorter life span.