Is it true that power decreases people's empathy and compassion? Yes, but it is always context-dependent. According David Dubois, Assistant Professor of Marketing at INSEAD, the behaviour of powerful leaders can be shaped to make the impacts of their power less destructive.
What makes powerful people act plain wrong
Powerful people who feel their position lacks appropriate status are more prone to treating their subordinates disrespectfully. Thus making powerful people feel insecure encourages them to behave in ways we don’t like.
If we view power as a vehicle equipped with a strong engine that allows powerful people to chase their goals effectively, we can imagine that if these persons are too self-focused and driven only by their own needs, they are on a collision course since they cannot steer the vehicle properly.
Considering viewpoints of other people helps
Perspective-taking is like controlling a steering wheel. Combining power with perspective-taking will significantly improve everything, including information sharing and interpersonal relationships. The result will be more accurate and informed decision making. Precisely this is probably the ideal formula for effective and sustainable leadership.
How to encourage perspective-taking?
It can be as simple as frequently reminding senior managers of their interdependence within the organisation. If people interact only with their peers and those who always agree with them, they may find themselves trapped in a form of self-focused illusion.
Perspective-taking is not a miracle cure; moral principles will not be implanted into a fundamentally immoral person. On the other hand, if you can get your leaders to give voice to their instincts and opinions more fully and diplomatically, that is how mere formal authority is transformed into deeply respected moral authority.
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