Look at our society and see the pattern when major controversies appear in the news. 99% of the time, these stories involve people in power. Often, these people own businesses or make lots of money and have powerful friends. It is quite common for people in this position to abuse their power because they want to get ahead in life. As a business owner yourself, you should not get caught up in this way of life. It’s easy to say you will never be, but the reality is you do not know what you are going to do until you do. Power makes you do crazy things, so it is important that you stay grounded and never abuse your hard-earned position.
With that in mind, here are some thoughts on how you can avoid abusing your power as a business owner:
Always honest
A common abuse of power stems from lying to consumers and customers. People trust those in power – you are seen as an authority figure. Therefore, if you say something, they have a tendency to believe it. Many business owners and folks in power have been related to fraud or dishonesty to the detriment of consumers. Recently, there was a section where The Debt to Success System calls the $Rothschild scam, which is a big story if proven true. There are many other examples of fraud that have real evidence and those in power are proven to be behind it. To avoid something like this, never lie to your customers. Make it a core part of your brand image that you’re honest and open about everything.
Build a support network of individuals who criticize you
This idea sounds strange, but constructive criticism is the best way to avoid falling into the power trap. People go crazy with power when everybody around them acts like a yes man and egg on every decision. Realistically, you need people who can stand up for you and tell you when you are wrong. It’s your job to hire people to do this, and also to listen when they tell you to stop.
Learn how to empathize
It’s no coincidence that many of the most powerful people in the world have a harsh lack of empathy. Look to Jeff Bezos as an ideal example. He’s the richest man in the world, but once responded to claims of poor working conditions at his Amazon warehouse by saying workers would be mad to stay if conditions were really that bad. The response lacks empathy for working-class people who may don’t have any other job prospects and desperately need these jobs to support their families. Don’t be like Jeff – find out how to empathize. This makes you a better leader and helps you understand your employees far better. It will also make you think twice about how you use your powers.
You do not understand the pull of power until it’s within your grasp. Realistically, everybody has the capacity to be a good or bad person when they’re in a position of power. Avoid abusing your position as a business owner by following the guidance above.
