A Few Words About Energy and Power

We at BUILT TO LEAD are big fans of clarity. Oftentimes, the meaning of our own language, English, just does not help. That’s when we ask our old dead friends from ancient Greece and Rome for some help.

Even occasional readers of this blog know that we often call on ancient Latin to define what we mean when we say that there are two ways to “work.” There’s a BIG distinction between “OPUS” and “LABOR” which mean “masterpiece” and “toil” respectively.

OPUS is work that draws energy to you. OPUS is  your purpose, your BIG DREAM, the integration of the work you were designed to do with the life you desire to lead. So, while sometimes difficult, OPUS feels more like play than work. And while tiring, OPUS is never draining.

LABOR pulls energy from you. It is work set on the wrong ends–the direct pursuit of money, status, position;  sleepwalking through your career; or because daddy told you to take over the business–rather than on seeking mastery of work that is intrinsically rewarding and worthwhile that you are uniquely designed to do.

I’d like to ask our old, dead Roman friends to help us out again. This time, let’s talk about POWER.

Why not? It’s how things get done. It’s the source of all change. And many an organization could use a little spare change these days.

It’s a fact that all humans seek power in their interpersonal relationships. The primary drive to defend ourselves and our families from threats and harm is matched by our desire to acquire resources, support, and status. With these, we may exercise power over our environment, including other humans, to get what we want.

And if it’s one thing the ancient world understood, it was power.

Especially the Romans. The Romans were may have been the most powerful society ever in human history, relative to their domination of the other societies of the ancient world. And they knew how to hold onto power. The Roman Republic and Empire spanned nearly 1000 years, 500 of which saw The Empire as the undisputed pre-eminent power in the Western world.

In Latin, there are two words for power. Who knew?

The noun Imperium is the type of power the Caesars knew firsthand. It is dominance of others; the capacity to bend them to your will. It’s the type of power that, when exercised, forces others to COMPLY. Or else. Ancient as it is, I’ll bet you’ve experienced imperium in the last couple of weeks, perhaps in the imperious attitudes of other drivers on the road, or empire building at work. At it’s heart, imperium is the manipulation of others–not merely through the threat of violence, but also through seduction: the promise of rewards, such as money, status, position. To exercise imperium, you need weapons.

Take your pick–either through violence or seduction, it’s all about compliance. The relationship between those “in power” (imperium) and those manipulated is based solely on the TRANSACTION. Comply, or else. It’s always the case that imperium is forced on one individual by another.

Now for the other word: The Latin verb for power is potere. The meaning of this word is “to enable.” This is power based on development of the self or others, not manipulation. This type of power BUILDS. It causes growth. It leads to mastery. When exercised, potere invites others to COMMIT, not merely comply. To exercise potere, the only “weapon” you need is love. Potere is the power of sharing power. In fact, potere can only be exercised by a willing individual who has committed to change, grow, and develop. This is what we mean by empowerment.

With potere, body, heart, and mind are all engaged with true commitment and complete buy-in. The relationship between those “in power” (potere) and those invited to exercise it is based on TRANSFORMATION from an less complete state towards mastery.

Which do you prefer?

What’s your normal modus operandi for getting things done?

Are you a “change agent” who forces change on others? Is compliance good enough in these tough times? How’s that workin’ for ya’?

Or have you come to see that sustained change comes about only when individuals opt into the change with commitment and begin to transform themselves?

What is the source of your power–weapons, or love? Forcing others, or enabling them?

Why?

Tell us about your power.