As a young Airmen I discovered the meaning of positional power. At the time I was an instructor at a USAF technical training facility in Illinois. I was convinced to become an instructor, a choice I have never regretted. The one thing going for this 19 year old, 130 pound, four-eyed young man was the two stripes on his arm. No one else had that kind of rank.
During one session there was a lot of disregard for the instruction and instructor. There must have been at least one third of the class doodling porno doodles. There was also a lot of sass. One of the requirements toward the end of the week was a GI party, i.e., clean the classroom. To regain some semblance of order, a GI party was ordered sooner than normally scheduled. We got it done.
Many years later, looking back on that event, I recognized exercising my positional power. Control was regained, but I am not sure how much learning took place. There were several other events that would support that realization. The lesson to be learned is to not abuse your power.
Since then, through my reading, studies and interacting with others, I have discovered the concept of personal power. Jonathan Livingstone Seagull and Illusions by Richard Bach, are just two books that helped me get a better understanding of my own power.
Personal power is coming to the realization that you are a person of worth and can get lots of stuff accomplished with the assistance of others. And, you don't have to browbeat them to get it done. Assertiveness training teaches to look at things from the perspective of others. It also teaches to understand how far you are willing to go to reach the goal.
The moral to this tale, if one is needed, is to understand yourself. If you find you are using positional power to get things done you will not be pleased with the outcomes. You may have to realign your view of the world to become more comfortable with your place in it.
One way to get to this place is to.....
serve others, care about those you serve and share the love in your heart.
Good luck.
#90
2 comments:
As a teacher, I never use power as a tactic with my students... I don't think this amounts to anything positive.
We have mutual respect and I am always honest and straight forward with them. I treat them the way I want to be treated.
The boundaries are established clearly and they know that I walk the talk. When it's clear and understood why should there be any power involved???
It took me a while to figure that one out. I am pleased to say, I do a damn fine job teaching now. That's brag and fact.
I love what I do when I am teaching. It is all part of the power of positive purpose.
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