Real Power: Stages of Personal Power in Organizations

by Janet O. Hagberg

Book Overview

Janet O. Hagberg has written a dynamic book about power—real, personal power—for forward-looking people in organizations who want to harness their own power for the common good. "I wrote this book,"... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1879215462
• ISBN13: 9781879215467
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Sheffield Publishing Company
• Length: 311 Pages
• Weight: 1.09 lbs.
• Age Range: 18 years and up

Customer Reviews

POTENT 'MUST READ'

Power affects all relationships in a way that is, arguably, either underestimated or misunderstood. Or both. So a book that takes a fresh-eyed view of personal power is a welcome addition to understanding the complexities that underlie all human relationships. In "Real Power," Janet Olson Hagberg has delivered a book of profound insights. It is one of those rare works that forever alters how you view yourself and the world around you. It is replete with wisdom you can leverage to shape your personal destiny in ways you could not before encountering its ideas.REAL POWER IS PERSONAL POWERPersonal power, Hagberg instructs, results from combining external power -- the capacity for action -- with internal power -- the capacity for reflection.The crux of her thesis is a simple, but richly developed, model. It describes six stages of power that individuals can experience, "which we layer one upon another as we develop." The six stages are:1. Powerlessness (feeling that you have little to no power)2. Power by Association (a sense of power derived from others who have power, or from learning)3. Power by Achievement (power that originates from having accomplished feats or acquired the culturally accepted signs of achievement; the stage within which most professionals and managers and their employing organizations function)4. Power by Reflection (the power of thoughtful competence and integrity, marked by a search for and transition to deeper meaning)5. Power by Purpose (the power that transcends ego, intellect, and will -- difficult hurdles that Hagberg collectively labels "The Wall" -- to serve a larger cause by empowering others)6. Power by Wisdom (the power that flows to one who is exceptionally capable and mature and, paradoxically, neither seeks nor desires power)According to Hagberg, individuals operating mainly in the first three stages perceive that their power comes from outside themselves, while those in Stages 4 thru 6 view their power as emanating from within themselves.THE REAL FOCUS OF "REAL POWER"While the subtitle of the book suggests that it emphasizes the role of "power in organizations," it quickly becomes obvious that organizational dynamics is *not* the main focus of the book. "Real Power" (fortunately for its readers) really unveils the potent role that power plays in fueling everyone's actions and shaping everyone's relationships. On the job, at home, in houses of worship, everywhere. In fact, Hagberg routinely includes comments aimed at helping women, minorities, and the economically or politically disadvantaged to see (and re-think) their limiting views of power. (Throughout the book and in a special chapter, Hagberg even gives attention to how traditional roles and power expectations for men can limit or trap *them* as well.) Moreover, she includes thoughts about how each stage of power relates to one's spirituality (a theme she has more fully developed in a separate book devoted to her view of spiritual development).POWER AT WORK

transformative power

I have read this book years ago and find its wisdom still relevant. It shows personal power in progressive stages with the ultimate stage being the most healing and metaphysical.It has helped me understand the power dynamic in the organizations I have worked in and has given me a way to help chart my course in becoming a better employee/manager/employer.Even though it is easy to read, one shouldn't pigeonhole others into the various categories of personal power, but should use this book to help understand and spur spiritual growth in the organizational life of yourself and others.

Excellent transformational book for current/future leaders

This book is excellent at helping to identify your personal leadership style and the style of those around you. It also provides concrete suggestions on how to work with others at different phases of leadership development and also how to further develop your own leadership style