Power can corrupt leaders. Compassion can save them. (2018)

“…Power impairs our mirror-neurological activity — the neurological function that indicates the ability to understand and associate with others.”

Hougaard, R., Carter, J. and Chester, L.
Harvard Business Review, 15 February 2018
Image: Pexels

“…Research by neuroscientist Sukhvinder Obhi, …has found that power impairs our mirror-neurological activity — the neurological function that indicates the ability to understand and associate with others.

“David Owen has dubbed this phenomenon hubris syndrome, defined as a “disorder of the possession of power, particularly power which has been associated with overwhelming success, held for a period of years.””

As one CEO of a large consumer goods brand describes how “…the heady activity of crafting a strategy, and the need to make tough decisions with tough implications for others had made him less empathetic.”

…”His leadership role had taken a toll, and eventually, empathy was all but absent from his thinking and decision making.”

“It’s not that power makes people want to be less empathetic; it’s that taking on greater responsibilities and pressure can rewire our brains and, through no fault of our own, force us to stop caring about other people as much as we used to. But it does not have to be this way.”

“Compassion is the key”…it is the “intent to contribute to the happiness and well-being of others…therefore, more proactive…”

You can read the full article here, and follow the advice on how to increase your levels of compassion: Power can corrupt leaders. Compassion can save them.