Human Needs - Power

People with a need for Power need to be in a position of authority and responsibility. They need to explore Power, leadership and accomplishment. People with a need for Power tend to begood organizers and accept responsibility, setting an example of leadership.

Examples of how Power manifests for different people:

• Managing a company, a division or a department
• Becoming a leader in a civic organization or professional group
• Organizing events, trips, projects
• Achieving success
• Helping others feel empowered
• Being a well-known speaker
• Becoming an authority on some topic
• Writing a book that expresses leadership
• Being responsible for people, things, projects, events, situations
• Being a leader and recognized as a leader
• Teaching others about leadership and responsibility
• Taking command of an army or a military unit
• Taking over a country
• Rescuing a company in trouble
• Taking charge during an emergency or crisis

Positive aspects : Self-empowerment, leadership, accomplishment, success, organization of others and things, responsibility.

Negative aspects : Viciousness, abuse of power, dictatorship, inappropriate control and manipulation, anger, violence against others or things.

How this need affects the workplace : People with a need for Power will gravitate to situations that allow them to exercise their leadership skills and responsibility. This may be on a grand scale or on a smaller level. When they cannot exercise their need for Power, they may become manipulative through coercive power, threats or over-control. A person with a need for Power may exercise it in the workplace, find outlets in a community setting or in teaching others about the use of appropriate Power.

People with a need for Power may be noticed when they enter a room because they carry a strong sense of leadership and are used to be in command. These are good folks to put in charge when something needs accomplishing. They will be happiest when they feel powerful. They will be unhappiest when someone or something prevents them from exercising Power in some way, or if they feel a sense of personal failure.