How and Why People Lose Power

Overconfidence , disinhibition, ignoring the interest of others

“Power corrupts” is mostly true

Studies of he effects of power on the power holder consistently find that power produces overconfidence and risk taking , insensitivity to others, steroeotyping and a tendency to see other people as means to power holder’s gratification

Not letting power go to your head and acting as if you were all-powerful can help you maintain your position


Misplaced or too much trust

As you become less vigilant and paranoid about others’, they have the opportunity to take you out


People lose patience

The people in power can just get sloppy
• they no longer choose their words carefully

It is easier to lose your patience when you’re in power
• power leads to disinhibition

Loosing patience causes people to lose control and offend others
• can cost them their jobs


People get tried
From the stress and the grind

If you feel yourself getting tried or burned out and you hold a position of substantial power, you might as well leave
• you won’t do well with people trying to wrest your positions from you