“Great power involves great responsibility.”
― Franklin D. Roosevelt
The above quote by President Franklin D. Roosevelt is probably now more well-known through its use in Spiderman movies. In the iconic scene of the Spiderman story, on his death bed Uncle Ben tells Peter Parker that with “great power comes great responsibility.” Peter then embarks on a journey of learning to use his Spiderman powers for good rather than leading by fear and revenge, like his enemies.
Similar to Franklin D. Roosevelt and Peter Parker, we are all writing our own stories by how we lead. If someone were to watch your life on a movie screen, would their impression be that you lead by power or by fear?
So, how can you self-evaluate if you are leading by power or by fear?
Where is Your Locus of Control Centered?
We either have an internal or external locus of control mindset. An external locus of control sees circumstances and other people controlling their life. They see themselves as having no choice but that instead circumstances or other people made them do it. An internal locus of control instead sees themselves ultimately responsible for their choices and actions they make. They can face challenging circumstances or unfair people, but ultimately, they own that they always have a choice to control themselves and their attitudes. An internal locus of control is necessary to lead by power.
What is Driving You?
Powerful leaders are driven by their values. What are your values? One of the companies that I work with has the two values of respect for people and continuous improvement. Powerful leadership happens in this company whenever leaders, no matter the circumstances they face, choose a mindset and action of respect and seeking to improve. Where people leading by fear don’t align themselves with values but instead are driven by self-protection. Their mindset often becomes preoccupied with labeling and judging. They see all the wrong things that the company or other people are doing and see only the good things they are doing.
What Are Your Words and Actions Saying?
Internal locus of control and being grounded in your values are essential for being a powerful leader. The other day I was talking with a leader who felt distracted by her mind jumping from one idea to the next. There were so many ideas, so much to do (even good things and good opportunities), but she was becoming anxious and distracted. She knew she needed to be grounded and centered to lead well. Leaders who lead by power, know the importance of slowing down to listen to self and to others until they get to clarity. They don’t frantically or reactively do, but purposely do.
Leaders who become absorbed by fear see and treat circumstances and people like enemy hurdles. This often results in behaviors of complaining about circumstances and blaming other people. I watch for complaining and blaming in my own life. They are self-awareness warning signs to me that I need to own and redirect my mindset towards power.
Do people avoid you or seek you out? If they are avoiding you, your behaviors may be perceived by others as aggressive authority or passive aggressive manipulation, which are signs of leading by fear. Ultimately leading by power leads to influential action. Even powerful leaders can fall into making excuses instead of seeking solutions. Self-evaluation is an on-going discipline of powerful leaders. Are you being a powerful leader? How do you know?