On being "Powerful"
What does that mean and how we can become more so.

The common thread running through the readership of the Art of Corporate Warfare is that we are all professionals and that we all have various degrees of professional “power”. The aim of the newsletter is to help our clients and readers increase that power (ultimately for the good of their shareholders) by studying the proven techniques used by great Generals, and applying them to the modern battlefield known as the marketplace. However, periodically readers ask the question, what is “power” in the first place? And not just the obvious. What are some of its formal components?

Ok, let’s examine that through the eyes of the co-developer of BoardLens, Dr. Marc Cooper. Dr. Cooper specializes in the study of small group dynamics which is why his Board measurement tool is so valuable—BoardLens helps define and measure the collective strengths and weaknesses of a Board of Directors. But here, Dr. Cooper simply defines what “power” is. By looking at some of its parts we can better understand our own strengths, and weaknesses, and improve what we need to become more competitive. (Note: this is a good list to provide our children.)

Power obviously means having what we intend to happen actually happen.  We can help concentrate and magnify our power by attending to the following: Timing:  When our interests/talents/energy match the support we can muster from others and events as they unfold.  We learn timing by close observation of what is happening and how it is happening in the present moment for ourselves and for others. Yielding:  Sometimes the most powerful stance is to allow what wants to unfold happen without intervention. Yielding means to include the forces of life within our intention, using their impetus instead of trying to overcome or control them. Discipline:  Staying focused, remaining patient, desiring one thing, eliminating the inessential, persisting in the practices that foster growth and development and movement toward our intentions. Leakage:  Leakage dilutes our power much like a puncture in a pipe reduces the flow through a faucet.  Power can leak through unfinished business from the past, negative emotions, compulsions/obsessions, distractions and procrastination. By attending to these four domains of power we can increase our ability to achieve our intentions. Dr. Marc Cooper Developer of BoardLens  -------------------------------------------------- Past issues To nominate someone to the readership, go here. Note: only an existing reader can do this. Send general comments or questions here . To delete yourself from the list go here and  please be sure to include the correct e-mail address in the Subject. Corpcraft is a trademark of Parcon Research This newsletter is produced by the Executive Search Practice of Parcon Research. 312.952.1777