Power Corrupts

If you ever attain a position of power, whether it be in politics, administration or the community, keep in mind that power has the natural tendency to go to one's head.

Once you are in a position where you have control over what other people do or what happens to them, be very very careful. It so easy to lose sight of the fact that they are people, just like you. They have lives, they have minds, and many have families which can be affected by your decisions. Never ever take their loyalty, or their dependency for granted. People will submit to tyranny, but only for so long. They think, therefore there will be rebellion. You may use your power to attempt to squelch such rebellions, but people are smart. They will find a way to form a union of like minds and eventually a coup d'etat despite all your fail safes. Granted there are tyrannies which have lasted for years, but mind you, those are exceptions. They're lucky for one, and for another most of those are in countries where education and money is very limited.

Never dismiss a single person as nothing important. All it takes is one. Remember within every person there lies a heart and a brain. The heart gives the power and courage and the mind will find the means. Every time you nonchanlantly or coldly dismiss someone, you risk lighting the match to the fuse of your downfall. You must keep alive the realization that every person is a thinking person, no matter how naive or ignorant they may seem.

Also remember that humans are also best controlled through the simple means. Positive rewards will ensure loyalty and good behavior, negativity will breed dissension. Everything you say matters. A single positive word to the lowest worker can ensure you have a good foundation to stand on. A single negative word can knock it down. People will not hold you on your pedestal unless you give them good reason too. If you treat your people with respect and dignity, they will in turn give you the same. This pedestal is strong and stable. If you try to control your people through fear and ruthlessness, you are forever standing on a shaky pedestal because no one is holding it up for you.

Don't ever let yourself slip. All it takes is one time and then it's another, and then another. Always, always make your decisions remembering that everyone is a living, thinking human being that can be hurt or encouraged by you. If you ever forget this for even one instance, you lose your footing on your peadastal. Remember..it only takes one match to light a fuse.

Power corrupts...counteract it with love, respect, honor and dignity...ALWAYS.

Previously Published at Blogger.com, August 23, 2005